Under the Initiative signatory cities commit to developing, within two years after joining, a Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) and to provide regular monitoring on its implementation. The Secretariat is in direct contact with signatories and as such manages the Covenant of Mayors community and provides assistance to municipalities on all aspects and pillars (mitigation, adaptation, access to energy) of the initiative. The Covenant of Mayors is implemented mainly through the Secretariat of the initiative – based in Brussels and operating under a service contract managed by the European Commission (DG ENER). linking climate and energy action, the Covenant of Mayors aims also to increase sustainability in cities and communities. Addressing these key sectors and promoting an integrated approach, i.e.
Unlike in many other initiatives, cities get scientific advice and their actions are followed up and plans validated by the European Commission services. In their local Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) cities design and take actions in the building sector, transport and local energy production, and implement adaptation measures. The Covenant of Mayors offers to cities a robust but at the same time flexible framework for planning and monitoring their actions in climate mitigation and adaptation areas. As signatories, they also sign up to a long-term 2050 vision of decarbonised and resilient cities with access to sustainable, secure and affordable energy. Under the initiative cities commit to meet and exceed the European objectives in terms of CO2 emissions (at least 40% reduction by 2030), demonstrating a level of ambition often higher that on the national level in their respective countries. The objective of the Covenant of Mayors is to encourage long-term political commitment and concrete action at the local level to address climate mitigation and climate adaptation challenges as well as energy poverty.
As such cities and local authorities are crucial vehicle for implementing climate and energy objectives and sustainability goals. About 70% of European population lives in cities and cities account for a similar share of energy consumption and green house gases emission.
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