Climate and energy transition
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Internship - 21.06.2023
CEMR is offering 3 internships
Are you currently enrolled in a university programme?
Are you interested in EU policy issues?
Are you ready to learn a lot about European regions and municipalities?
Then an internship at CEMR might be what you are looking for!
CEMR is currently looking to recruit interns as follows:
- 2 interns for policy work for a minimum of 4 months during the period September to December 2023 (exact dates to be agreed)
- 1 intern for the PLATFORMA project for a minimum of 4 months during the period September to December 2023 (exact dates to be agreed)
Find more information on the internships and how to apply here. Deadline for applications is 30 June 2023. -
Training Academy - 13.01.2023
Discover the main findings
On 21 October 2022, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) organised a training event for elected political representatives working in climate adaptation and mitigation, with an emphasis on sustainable finance. The sessions included a keynote speech from a scientist, presentations of case studies, interactive exercises and discussions. The objective was to familiarise local and regional elected officials with the concept of sustainable finance from a scientific, regulatory and technical perspective.
A summary of the training work, including key concepts, speaker and panel content, and key findings, can be found here.
This edition of the training academy represents the seventh in the series organised by CEMR/PLATFORMA, which was initially inspired by the Urban Agenda for the EU. -
EU Green Capital - 20.10.2022
Which cities will be the European Green Capital 2024?
Which cities will be the European Green Capital and the European Green Leaf 2024? Discover the winners at the Awards Ceremony on 27 October, hosted by the City of Grenoble.
The European Commission's (European) Green Capital Award, recognises and rewards local efforts to improve the environment, and thereby the economy and the quality of life in cities. The Award is given each year to a city, which is leading the way in environmentally friendly urban living. The Award encourages cities to commit to ambitious goals for further environmental improvement.
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COP 27 - 04.10.2022
10 key points to prevent the inexorable march toward utter climate disaster
It’s now or never. We must gear up for climate action and advance the Sustainable Development Goals on the ground. This is the core message that PLAFTORMA and CEMR will bring to the COP27 taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
In a joint position, PLATFORMA and CEMR put forward 10 key points for delegates and representatives from the UN, the EU and national governments who will sit round the COP27 negotiation table. Among the important points raised in the position are the need for a supportive regulatory and governance framework to implement subnational climate action, and the need for sustainable subnational financing.
Read the full position. -
Cities Energy Savings Sprint - 20.05.2022
Join the new EU initiative to reduce our cities’ dependence on Russian energy
The Cities Energy Saving Sprint is a joint initiative of the European Commission, the Covenant of Mayors – Europe, and the European Committee of the Regions to encourage cities to take measures that will immediately reduce their energy consumption. The “Sprint” will last for 4 months.
It is crucial to increase energy savings now to prepare for next winter. Every kilowatt/hour saved now will allow us to refill the storage tanks and be better prepared for next winter. Every gram of greenhouse gas we don’t emit in the coming months will be an important step, not only for the climate, but also as an act of solidarity with Ukraine.
In parallel with all the measures for profound changes, reduction of consumption and energy transition, there is an urgent need to take emergency energy saving measures today and to plan for energy consumption reductions during the coming winter. Municipalities have a crucial role to play here.
How can my city take part in the Cities Energy Savings Sprint?- Register here to join
- Checkout the Toolkit for ideas on emergency measures your city can take
- Use the Communication Kit to promote your local actions and be part of an EU-wide movement
- Share your experience with on social media with the hashtag #EUCitiesSaveEnergy or by sending the Covenant of Mayors an email
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Peer learning - 08.04.2022
Apply for the Covenant of Mayors peer learning programme: deadline extended to 15 April!
Cities and towns have until 15 April 2022 to apply for the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy's peer learning programme. The programme offers Covenant of Mayors signatories across Europe the opportunity to increase their capacity and knowledge on climate and energy challenges through peer discussions tailored to their needs.
In 2021, the Covenant Office supported 45 cities, 6 coordinators, and 4 energy agencies. This year, the Covenant of Mayors offers four programmes to respond to local needs: twinning, expert missions, peer review and technical assistance.
Find out more
Peer Learning Programme 2022/2023
Recording of the info session
Selection criteria -
World Climate Awards - 11.10.2021
Paris and Samsø are "climate leaders", says UN
The UN has revealed the winners of the 10th anniversary edition of its Global Climate Action Awards. Among the winners are the City of Paris and the Danish island-municipality of Samsø. The two municipalities were awarded the title of "climate leaders".
Paris was recognised for its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, to expand the use of solar panels to 20% of Parisian rooftops and to become a 100% bikeable city.
Samsø, with a population of around 3700, has already become net carbon zero through the use of renewable energy, electric vehicles and biomass.
The awards serve as another example that all places - urban or rural, great or small, central or peripheral - can do their part and have an impact aganst climate change. -
Event - 14.06.2021
Connecting Nature Enterprise Summit Poznan 2021
As the world looks to build back better after the pandemic, innovators are leading to the way towards sustainable business models inspired by nature. That's why the city of Poznan is hosting the Connecting Nature Enterprise Summit, an online event bringing together mayors, business leaders and policymakers from across Europe, with the support of the European Commission.
The summit will explore the challenges and opportunities of embracing nature-based solutions. Hosted on a virtual platform with panel discussions, presentations, workshops, capacity building sessions and plenty of opportunity to connect with other participants. Get inspired, naturally!
Dates: 29-30 June 2021
Website and programme
Registration
Languages: English and Polish -
Study - 24.11.2020
How cities and regions can lead the environmental and energy transitions
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has published an in-depth report looking at how local and regional governments can lead the way towards climate-neutral and low-waste economies by 2050.
Drawing on academic and policy expert discussions with the European Commission, the study shows what cities, regions and rural areas can do in a wide range of areas, including energy supply, conversion and use, the transformation of mobility systems and land use practices.
To find out more and read the report, please consult the OECD website.
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