energy efficiency
As a key factor in the fight against climate change and a reliable means of reducing energy costs for citizens and cities, energy efficiency is a priority for our members.
Cities are continuously working towards improved energy efficiency by:
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refurbishing public buildings
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incentivising renovation of private buildings where possible
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improving public transport and overall urban transport management
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investing in more energy efficient heating and cooling, such as through district heating and cooling, and seasonal thermal storage
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increasing energy efficiency of public lighting, for instance through the installation of LED lighting
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supporting, developing and installing renewable energy within city boundaries, such as energy from waste, biomass, solar, ground/air/lake/sea source and more
Energy efficiency is also one of the priorities of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and for the transition to a resource efficient economy.
Better efficiency helps ensure security of energy supply, and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. By 2020, the EU wants to reduce primary energy consumption by 20%.
Cities recognise the central role they play in achieving this goal. On the one hand, 80% of energy in Europe is used in cities. On the other hand, a well-managed urban concentration reduces transport distances for people, goods and energy, and provides potential to increase the energy efficiency of heating and cooling.
We support our members in achieving their energy efficiency goals by providing a platform for cities to exchange best practice, input into EU energy efficiency policy and play a key role in a number of European initiatives, such as the Covenant of Mayors, our CASCADE and NiCE projects, EPOMM-PLUS and CIVITAS.
Our Declaration on Climate Change outlines cities’ commitment to reducing emissions, including through energy efficiency. Driven by our members’ ambition, we also launched our Green Digital Charter, which provides a framework for cities to use ICT as a main driver to improve energy efficiency.
- environment
EUROCITIES statement on the review of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
Energy efficiency is a major issue in our local efforts to mitigate climate change but also in providing green jobs and addressing energy poverty. As European cities, we manage extensive portfolios of public buildings and we can also, depending on our legal authority and financial and administrative capacity, regulate, incentivise and assist with improving the energy efficiency of privately owned buildings. However, improving private buildings remains particularly challenging.
publication
publication date:
13-01-2016
- environment
Apply for the EU Sustainable Energy Awards!
Apply for the 2016 EU Sustainable Energy Award by 22 February to share your projects for clean, secure and efficient energy.
news
publication date: 07-01-2016
- environment
Ghent becomes first signatory of New Covenant of Mayors
EUROCITIES vice president Ghent became the first signatory of the new Covenant of Mayors on Climate and Energy ahead of COP 21, and is due to be followed by Manchester by the end of the year.
news
publication date: 17-12-2015
- knowledge society
Gothenburg signs our Green Digital Charter
In a ceremony held on 5 November during EUROCITIES 2015 Copenhagen/Malmo, Anneli Hulthén, mayor and chairman of the Gothenburg City Executive, signed our Green Digital Charter (GDC) on behalf of her city.
news
publication date: 17-12-2015
- knowledge society
Smart cities: our latest activities
EUROCITIES has been represented at a number of events on smart cities in the past month.
news
publication date: 17-12-2015
- environment
- knowledge society
- mobility
EUROCITIES on COP 21 – Stockholm Royal Seaport
Stockholm’s ‘Royal Seaport’ development in converting former industrial brownfield land into a ‘climate positive’ living, working and social space by 2030.
news
publication date: 11-12-2015
- environment
EUROCITIES on COP 21 – using EU funds for energy saving investments in Sofia
Despite a reduced municipal budget, Sofia is making efforts to reduce local energy consumption with the help of EU funds.
news
publication date: 11-12-2015
- environment
- mobility
EUROCITIES on COP 21 – Oslo, electric vehicle capital of the world
With 60% of emissions in Oslo coming from the transport sector, encouraging the uptake of electric vehicles is a major part of its CO2 reduction strategy.
news
publication date: 10-12-2015
- environment
- knowledge society
EUROCITIES on COP 21: smart city solutions for energy efficiency & climate change
How are cities are using digital technologies to tackle climate change?
news
publication date: 09-12-2015
- mobility
Join the European Cycling Challenge 2016
European cities are invited to compete in the fifth European Cycling Challenge in May 2016.
news
publication date: 08-12-2015