The Covenant of Mayors is an ambitious initiative engaging European cities and towns in fight against climate change. Covenant signatories commit themselves to go beyond the EU climate and energy goals set for 2020 by reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in their territories by at least 20%. To achieve this, signatories develop Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs), implement energy efficiency and renewable energy actions, both in public and private sector of their communities, and organize Energy Days. These efforts are strongly supported by the European Commission (EC), the CoM Office and the Covenant Coordinators and Supporters.

Who can join the Covenant of Mayors?

Covenant of Mayors is open to all local authorities democratically constituted with/by elected representatives, whatever their size and whatever the stage of implementation of their energy/climate policies.

How to join?

Local authorities willing to sign up to the Covenant of Mayors must present and discuss it in their Municipal Council (or equivalent decision-making body democratically constituted with/by elected representatives). Once a decision to sign up is formally adopted (e.g. by relevant resolution) local authorities must inform about it the European Commission. They do it by sending a message to the Covenant of Mayors Office mailbox with enclosed adhesion form. The form must be duly completed and signed by mayor or other authorized representative of the City Council. After sending the message, local authority will be then included into the public list of Covenant signatories.

When to join?

Local authorities can sign the Covenant of Mayors at any time, there is no deadline! Covenant of Mayors Ceremonies take place annually with all the Mayors providing an opportunity for visibility and a public signature.

What do the Covenant Signatories commit to?

Covenant signatories aim to reduce their CO₂ emissions by more than 20 % by 2020 through energy efficiency and renewable energy actions. To reach this objective they commit to:

• Prepare a Baseline Emission Inventory (BEI) within the year following adhesion
• Submit a Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP), approved by the municipal council, within the year following adhesion
• Publish regularly – every 2 years after submission of their SEAP – implementation reports stating the degree of implementation of the action plan and the interim results
• Promote their activities and involve their citizens / stakeholders, including the regular organisation of Local Energy Days
• Spread the message of the Covenant of Mayors, in particular by encouraging other local authorities to join and by contributing to major events and thematic workshops

What if local authorities lack competences or resources to prepare and implement their SEAPs?

If an interested local authority lacks competences or resources to prepare its action plan, it should be supported by administrations with such capacities, i.e. Covenant Coordinators and Supporters. A list of CC and CS may be found at the Covenant Of Mayors Office website.

Why to join?

• Make a public statement of extra commitment to CO₂ reduction,
• Create or reinforce the dynamic on CO₂ reduction in your territory,
• Benefit from encouragement and example of other pioneers,
• Share the expertise developed in your own territory with others,
• Make your territory known as a pioneer,
• Publicise your achievements on the Covenant website.

How European Commission supports Covenant signatories?

The European Commission provides signatory cities with:

• An office responsible for promoting, coordinating and supporting the initiative,
• A website for promoting and sharing successes,
• Tools and methods (guidelines, templates, etc.) to help prepare standardised emission inventories and Action Plans in compliance with those in existence,
• Financial facilities, notably from the European Investment Bank, the Structural Funds, etc.,
• Events for giving committed cities high political visibility at European level,
• A network of Covenant Coordinators and Supporters for helping the smallest cities.

More information about the Covenant can be found on the Covenant of Mayors website
http://www.eumayors.eu/about_the_covenant/index_en.htm