Opinions

Energy Cities regularly publishes opinions on the various Community legislative documents in relation with its fields of action.

Whereas a municipality alone has little influence, Energy Cities is able to combine the forces of all to take more appropriate action.

Energy Cities’ position paper to the public consultation on the EU 2020 Energy Strategy The European Union is preparing a new energy strategy for 2011-2020. Energy Cities believes that this is a crucial moment to give a strong signal and trigger the right, innovative actions for the coming years. In its paper the network proposes to: Introduce a new Community Instrument : ‘URBAN – Sustainable Energy’’ Empower local authorities with financial engineering assistance to implement energy-efficient projects Initiate a public forum on the EU Energy Strategy through the prism of territorial cohesion Download: PDF - 382.2 kb

Joint Declaration - Covenant of Mayors in Western Balkans In 2009, EuropAid appointed experts to investigate the expectations cities have for New Independent States (NIS) with regards to energy and climate issues as well as the relevance of the Covenant of Mayors initiative for these countries. Experts concluded that the Covenant should be extended to these countries, albeit with a certain number of conditions. In the meantime, dozens of local authorities from these countries have already committed to reducing their CO2 emissions in their territories. As a result, DG AIDCO is to launch a call for tender in 2010 so as to establish a Covenant of Mayors Office dedicated to these countries. Link to the press release : en - fr Download: PDF - 189.9 kb

The Covenant of Mayors for making the EU 2020 Strategy a success The Annual General Meeting of Energy Cities convened in Salerno (IT) on 29th April 2010 adopted the following statement about the Covenant of Mayors. Download: PDF - 191.4 kb

Energie-Cités’ position paper in response to the European Commission’s working document "Consultation on the future "EU 2020" strategy" [COM(2009)647] The European Commission has recently published its “EU 2020 Strategy” which is designed as the successor to the current Lisbon Strategy. According to Energie-Cités, proposing a medium-term EU strategy is a welcome initiative. However, except for the few new ideas that are put forward, we consider that this paper is lacking in stamina, enthusiasm and ambition and regret that it is not conducive to a renewal of practices commensurate with the stakes at hand. We cannot afford to end up with a remake of the Lisbon Strategy! Download: PDF - 33.2 kb

Position paper of Energy Cities in response to the Action Plan on Urban Mobility [COM(2009) 490/5] Energy Cities welcomes the release of the Action Plan on Urban Mobility and thus focusing long awaited attention on urban traffic that is responsible for 40% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 70% of pollutants deriving from road transport. Energy Cities sees different positive actions in the Plan but wonder if it goes far enough. Are the 20 actions it contains aligned with the EU’s “20-20-20” objective and - unrevised - will they meet the challenges related to energy and climate that the EU and its citizens will have to face before 2020 and beyond? Download: PDF - 129.1 kb

Display – ahead of its time Voluntary common: EU public building certification Energy Cities’ opinion paper on the EPBD policy process based on the Display Campaign experience. This paper strongly supports the recently accepted EU parliament amendment 94 of the EPBD recast. The idea to implement a voluntary common European Union certification for the energy performance of non-residential buildings in 2012 is something that has (since 2004) and continues to be carried out by Display Campaign participants. It is felt that this common approach will go a long way to reducing confusion and it is hoped that the gulf between Europe and its citizens be reduced. Download: PDF - 410.4 kb

Economic Recovery Plan - Restoring the 500 M€ for Cities ENERGY CITIES, EUROCITIES, CLIMATE ALLIANCE, ICLEI (AND SUPPORTED BY EREC) Providing proposals to the European Commission, the European Council and European Parliament for improving the European Economic Recovery Plan. Supporting cities that are committed to job creation through actions to achieve and surpass the EU energy and climate targets. Languages : English Download: PDF - 33.9 kb

Promotion of the use of energy from renewable energy sources The Proposal for a Directive aims to establish an overall binding target of a 20% share of renewable energy sources in energy consumption and a 10% binding minimum target for biofuels in transport to be achieved by each Member State, as well as binding national targets by 2020 in line with the overall EU target of 20%. Languages : English - French Download: PDF - 59.8 kb

Recasting of Energy Performance of Buildings Directive The European Commission launched a public consultation on the recasting of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2002/91/EC). The consultation will help the Commission gain input on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive from interested parties through an online questionnaire and thus enable it to better develop the new proposal. Languages : English - French Download: PDF - 60.6 kb

The new culture of urban transport In September 2007, the European Commission published a Green Paper. The question is: does this Green Paper go far enough? Are the proposals it contains aligned with the EU “3x20” objectives and will they – under their current definition – help the EU and its citizens tackle the energy and climate change challenges they are to face by 2020 and beyond? Current trends in the transport sector lead us to fear that this will not be the case! Languages : English - French Download: PDF - 67.9 kb

Growing Regions, Growing Europe: Fourth report on economic and social cohesion The public consultation was launched by DG Regional Policy on how the EU cohesion policy should adapt to new challenges and how its delivery can be improved in order to maximise its impact in the future. Languages : English Download: PDF - 50.1 kb

Green Paper on Adaptation to Climate Change in Europe This Green paper on adaptation examines climate change impacts in Europe, the case for action and policy responses in the EU. Energie-Cités welcomes this initiative starting of a European debate on the issue involving the local stakeholders. Langues : English Download: PDF - 32.3 kb

Leipzig Charter This charter is a document of the Member States, which has been drawn up with the broad and transparent participation of European Stakeholders. In the Knowledge of the challenges and opportunities as well as the different historical, economical, social and environmental backgrounds of European cities, the Member States’ Ministers responsible for Urban Development agree upon common principles and strategies for urban development policy. Charter: English - Français Download: PDF - 36.4 kb

Call for local authorities - Brasov resolution In March 2007, Energy Cities warmly welcomed the decisions of the European Council. Today, Energy Cities calls the local authorities to commit themselves to reach the EU energy and climate objectives. To reach these objectifs, Energy Cities is launching a call to local authorities to create a voluntary movement with all local stakeholders within their territories to imagine their energy future in this new context. Languages:English - French Download: PDF - 34.9 kb

Promotion of Heating and Cooling from Renewable Energies The European Commission has launched this public consultation to contribute to the Impact Assessment by providing a range of opinions and new and innovative ideas regarding the implementation and the impacts of different types of policies and measures that could be considered to promote heating and cooling from renewable energy sources. This consultation offers the opportunity to Energy Cities to define its opinion on this topic. Languages : English Download: PDF - 123.2 kb

Second « Intelligent Energy - Europe » Programme 2007-2013 The contribution of Energy Cities could guide the Commission to determine the overall objectives of SAVE (energy efficiency in buildings and industry), ALTENEER (new and renewable energy sources) and STEER (energy aspect in transport) which will continue in IEE-II. Languages : English Download: PDF - 138 kb

Heidelberg declaration: Energie-Cités requests the Commission a communication Energy Cities requests the Commission a communication on the role of local and regional authorities. At the latest Board of directors meeting in Heidelberg (DE) on the 22nd of June 2006, the Board adopted a declaration concerning the role of local and regional authorities in European energy policy. This declaration recommends that all local actors from all levels of society be involved. It constitutes our lobby direction for the coming year. Languages: English - French Download: PDF - 28.6 kb

Cohesion policy and cities The European Commission DG REGIO published on 23rd November 2005 a Commission staff working document entitled “Cohesion Policy and cities: the urban contribution to growth and jobs in the regions”. As this document mentions, among others, the energy efficiency, renewable energies and transport issues, Energy Cities prepared a related opinion which has just been published. Languages: French - English Working paper of the European Commission: English, Download: PDF - 42.7 kb

Green Paper on Energy Efficiency This initiative allows energy efficiency to be on the agenda of community concerns at the same time as energy prices continue to increase and the effects of climate change become felt more and more. Through the advice given by their board of directors, Energy Cities is actively participating in the debate following the release of the Green Paper . A number of points still need to be improved to ensure that energy efficiency remains at the heart of the Lisbon Strategy and that the pivotal role of local authorities is recognised. Languages: English - Français Download: PDF - 193.2 kb

Letter from mayors to European Commission With the supported of EU networks, local authorities are ready to do more to improve energy efficiency. We offer to be partners in reaching the ambitious 20% reduction objective. Here is the letter from EU mayors to the European Commission. Languages: English, French, German. Download: PDF - 80.2 kb

Eight messages for the G8 and European Union A call from local governments. The next G8 meeting will take place in July in Gleneagles in Scotland. Climate will be on the agenda of the meeting. Before that, the Energy and Environment Ministers, as well as the European Commissioners, met on 15th -16th March in London. In order to prepare these events and promote local authorities as Climate Protection partners, a document entitled "8 messages for the G8" was prepared by the Local Government Association (GB), the Council of European Municipalities and Regions-CEMR/Conseil des Communes et Régions d’Europe-CCRE, ICLEI, Climate Alliance and Energie-Cités. Languages: English, French Download: PDF - 110 kb

EIE programme consultation The European Commission has launched a Consultation relative to the integration of support programmes to energy efficiency (EIE Programme) in the Competitiveness and Innovative Programme (CIP), this one being integrated in the Lisbon process. This consultation offers the opportunity to Energy Cities to define its opinion on the relationships between Sustainable energy, Competitiveness and Innovation. Consultation document. Languages: English, French. Download: PDF - 233.2 kb

Directive on Energy Efficiency Services Promoting energy services is an important element for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This will be promoted through the planned Directive on "Energy Demand Management and Energy Efficiency Services" (Directive on "energy services"), which is intended to develop and encourage energy efficiency on the demand side, in particular that provided by utilities and related service companies in the form of energy services. Languages : English - Français Proposal of Directive : English - Français Download: PDF - 33.9 kb

Towards a thematic strategy on the urban environment The European Commission formally adopted, on 11th February 2004, the Communication "Towards a thematic strategy on the urban environment". Urban issues were completely forgotten by the Commission during its presentation of the 6th Environment Action Plan in 2001. The Communication sets out the major problems and challenges facing Europe’s towns and cities: sustainable urban management, sustainable urban transport, sustainable construction and sustainable urban design. Languages: English - Français Download: PDF - 26.8 kb

Towards a European strategy for the security of energy supply in Europe The Green Paper "Towards a European strategy for the security of energy supply in Europe", published in 2002, gives a clear priority to energy efficiency and renewables. Although it is not a legislative document, it is accepted by the main actors as a reference for all energy related actions. Languages:English - Français Download: PDF - 38.6 kb

Common rules for the internal markets in electricity and natural gas The amended "Directives concerning common rules for the internal markets in electricity and natural gas", adopted in June 2003, organise the future framework of electricity and gas, making all European consumers eligible, from 2004 onwards and at the latest by 2007 for the domestic sector, as well as integrating some components related to general interest services. Languages:English - Français Download: PDF - 14.5 kb

Promotion of Electricity from Renewable Sources of Energy The "Directive on the Promotion of Electricity from Renewable Sources of Energy in the Internal Electricity Market" was adopted in September 2001. Its purpose is to promote an increase in the contribution of renewable energy sources to electricity production in the internal market for electricity and to create a basis for a future Community framework. Languages:English - Français Download: PDF - 121.4 kb

Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings The "Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings" (2002/91/EC) adopted in December 2002, recognised that more than 40% of EU energy consumption is in the building sector and that there is a powerful incentive to propose a coherent package of measures to improve energy efficiency in this sector. Languages:English - Français Download: PDF - 184.8 kb

Directive on the promotion of cogeneration The "Directive on the promotion of cogeneration based on a useful heat demand in the internal energy market" should be adopted very soon. The initial aim of the Directive is to strengthen existing measures to promote CHP in line with the Community target of doubling the share of CHP in EU electricity generation from 9% in 1994 to 18% by 2010. But no target has been mentioned. Languages:English - Français Download: PDF - 18.4 kb

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