Support and Training of Local Authorities to Boost the Energy Transition

The production and use of energy account for more than 75% of the European Union’s greenhouse gas emissions. Decarbonising the EU’s energy system is therefore critical to reaching the 2030 climate objectives and the EU’s long-term strategy of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, set in the EU Green Deal.  

Cities are crucial actors in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. This is particularly the case in Europe, where approximately 74% of the population lives in urban areas. Cities can play a key role in developing and implementing climate change programs because they connect local efforts with national and international commitments for adapting to and reducing climate change. 

Local authorities have reacted to the climate policies and targets set at the EU level by developing climate plans, often under the umbrella of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Energy and Climate (GCoM). The European Commission also developed a set of missions to support the uptake of these policies. However, they mostly reach a small number of forerunners – normally cities with more than 500.000 inhabitants, and challenges remain. Midsize and smaller cities find more difficult the implementation and follow-up of Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAP). Here is where AT LAST plays its role in building the capacities of local authorities.

About AT LAST

AT LAST is an EU-funded project that supports European cities in realizing their climate ambitions. The project aims to help smaller cities in Europe put into action Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAP). The project focuses on bringing different sectors together and assisting local governments in planning, financing, and carrying out their strategies to establish climate-neutral and resilient cities.  

AT LAST will build capacities in 25 local governments in four pilot networks in Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden, on how to plan and implement local energy and climate action strategies. Additionally, the project will extend networking and support opportunities to a hundred municipalities through Communities of Practice (CoP) across Europe, bolstering their capabilities for future cycles of planning and implementation.

Facts