Help shape the future of the EU’s energy and climate governance

As Europe faces mounting geopolitical tensions, volatile energy prices and accelerating climate impacts, energy affordability, competitiveness, decarbonisation, energy security and strategic autonomy matter more than ever. None of these challenges can be addressed by local, national or EU action alone. Delivering solutions requires coordinated action across all levels of governance, from EU institutions to cities and communities on the ground.

This is why the European Commission is preparing a revision of the Regulation on Energy Union and Climate Action: the Governance Regulation. Covenant of Mayors signatories and the wider community have a crucial role to play in shaping this revision through the ongoing public consultation.

Why this revision matters

The Governance Regulation, adopted in 2018, established a framework to help the EU meet the objectives of the Energy Union and deliver on climate and energy targets. It requires Member States to prepare integrated National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) and long-term strategies, while fostering cooperation and structured dialogue with local authorities, civil society, businesses and investors.

The upcoming revision is the opportunity to:

• Support progress towards the EU’s 2040 climate target and climate neutrality by 2050.
• Strengthen coordination between and within Member States.
• Streamline planning and reporting processes.
• Make the framework simpler and less administratively burdensome.
• Turn NECPs into genuine investment plans that effectively direct public and private funding where it is most needed.

As highlighted in a recent briefing by the European Parliamentary Research Service, revising the governance framework is an opportunity to accelerate the clean energy transition and boost the EU’s competitiveness through a more coordinated and coherent approach.

Importantly, the consultation is the first step in the revision process and will feed into the Commission’s impact assessment, a central element of its better regulation agenda. The contributions received will directly inform how the future framework is designed.

Why Covenant signatories should engage

Covenant of Mayors signatories are already implementing climate and energy actions on the ground. They are addressing energy poverty, accelerating renewable deployment, improving energy efficiency in buildings, and strengthening local resilience. Their experience is essential to ensure that EU governance reflects real implementation needs.

The Governance Regulation adopted in 2018 explicitly calls for permanent multilevel energy dialogues in each Member State, bringing together local authorities, civil society, the business community and investors to discuss energy and climate policies, including NECPs. This principle of multilevel governance – an essential pillar of the Covenant of Mayors’ approach – must not only be preserved but strengthened in the revision.

The revision of the energy union governance framework provides an opportunity to streamline and better coordinate the planning and reporting process across governance levels in order to achieve the EU's long-term energy and climate targets.  

How the Covenant community can contribute

To make sure your voice is heard in this process, respond to the public consultation before 12 March 2026. This is the chance to share concrete experiences on what works and what does not in the current governance framework.

Covenant of Mayors signatories can share how the current governance framework works in practice, including their experience with the preparation, alignment and implementation of National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs).  

This may include reflections on stakeholder engagement processes, access to information, coordination with national authorities, and the clarity and usability of reporting requirements. Insights into administrative challenges, data collection, monitoring systems and timelines can help illustrate how governance arrangements function on the ground.

Signatories can also contribute evidence on the investment dimension of energy and climate planning. This could include examples of how local projects are financed, how EU and national funding streams interact with municipal budgets, and where gaps or overlaps may occur. Experiences with blending public and private finance, mobilising local investors, or aligning Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) with national priorities can provide valuable input.  

By explaining how local action contributes to the five dimensions of the Energy Union — energy security, the internal energy market, energy efficiency, decarbonisation, and research and competitiveness — municipalities can help demonstrate how governance frameworks translate into concrete results at community level.  

Local governments are not just implementors, but co-creators, of the EU’s climate and energy future. By actively contributing to the consultation, the Covenant community can help shape a governance framework that truly reflects on-the-ground realities.

Now is the moment to have your say.