In 2023 the Covenant of Mayors (CoM) turned 15 years since its launch. Initially started to support EU local authorities in reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, it is today the world’s largest urban climate change and sustainable energy initiative. Its growth in geographical coverage over the years has been accompanied by an acceleration in both the scope and relevance of the initiative. \nThis report focuses on the Mediterranean community of the CoM (CoM Med) and on the key role local authorities in this region can play in supporting international and EU's climate objectives. It summarises the findings from the assessment of 73 Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plans developed by cities across 7 countries between 2021 and 2023.\nKey findings show that the CoM Med community continues to grow, despite persistent local challenges, and to progress in terms of expertise and commitment of local authorities on three pillars of action – GHG emission mitigation, climate change adaptation and energy access. \nOverall, commitments by cities in this region are in line with the national objectives, as expressed in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and they are supported by consistent actions, addressing major emitting sectors and key vulnerabilities. Aggregate emission reduction that CoM Med cities plan to achieve by 2030 is 4.5 Mt CO2-eq , mostly associated with the building and waste management sectors. As for adaptation, extreme heat and drought clearly emerge as the most relevant hazards in the region, affecting vulnerable sectors such as water, energy and health.
Authors
DAVIDE Marinella, EL-GUINDY Rana, MELICA Giulia, PALERMO Valentina, TREVILLE Aldo, BERTOLDI Paolo
Related Organizations
- Other identifiers
- EUR 40031,OP KJ-01-24-027-EN-N (online)
- Pages
- 51
- Published in
- Belgium
- Rights Holder
- https://ec.europa.eu/info/legal-notice_en#copyright-notice
Table of Contents
- Contents 3
- Abstract 5
- Acknowledgements 6
- Executive summary 7
- 1 Introduction and context 10
- 1.1 The Covenant of Mayors 10
- 1.2 Framing the participation of the European Southern Neighbourhood 12
- 1.3 The role of the JRC and the aim of the present report 13
- 2 Approach and Methodology 15
- 2.1 Differentiation of Commitments by Signatories of the Covenant of 15
- Mayors 15
- 2.2 Methodological approach for the assessment 17
- 2.3 Scope of the assessment 18
- 3 Assessment 20
- 3.1 Signatories 20
- 3.2 Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plans 23
- 3.3 Mitigation pillar 23
- 3.3.1 Final energy consumption in Baseline Emission Inventories BEIs 24
- 3.3.2 Greenhouse gas emissions in BEIs 25
- 3.3.3 Local energy from renewable energy sources in BEIs 25
- 3.3.4 Commitments on GHG emission reductions by 2030 25
- 3.3.5 Mitigation actions and measures 28
- 3.3.6 Focus on selected mitigation actions and good practices 29
- 3.4 Adaptation pillar 35
- 3.4.1 Risk and Vulnerability Assessments RVAs 35
- 3.4.2 Climate Hazards 35
- 3.4.3 Vulnerable Sectors 36
- 3.4.4 Vulnerable groups 36
- 3.4.5 Adaptation goal 37
- 3.4.6 Adaptation actions and measures 37
- 3.4.7 Focus on selected adaptation actions and good practices 37
- 4 Conclusion and recommendations 41
- References 43
- List of abbreviations and definitions 44
- List of boxes 45
- List of figures 46
- List of tables 47
- Annex 48
- Getting in touch with the EU 50
- Finding information about the EU 50
- The Joint Research Centre JRC provides independent evidence-based knowledge and science supporting EU policies to positively impact society 51
