Local governments are at the forefront of sustainable energy deployment in Europe, and their long-term commitment to reducing GHG emissions, increasing RES and energy efficiency is demonstrated through active participation in initiatives such as Covenant of Mayors. As the government level closest to citizens, they also play a crucial role in building public support for the Energy Union project, and can support the EU moving from macro, large-scale infrastructure investments to one that favors a set of smaller, democratically-mandated projects with community involvement.

Local governments are facing the urgent socio-economical challenge to ensure secure, sustainable, affordable and competitive energy for their communities. The Energy Union and the development of a single energy market aims to address the current challenges associated with the integration of variable renewable energy, and security of supply.

The event “Energy Union: local leadership driving the transition" aims to discuss the role that local governments can play in the Energy Union, by addressing how the sub-national level can operate as primary actor in the governance of the Energy Union, as well as in the roll-out of a more decentralized and integrated energy system. The event will reflect how to best tap the potential of vertical integration and cross-level partnerships for a successful implementation of the energy transition.

This event, which will feature a panel discussion, is organised by and brings together all the major networks of local governments in Europe, including ICLEI Europe, Energy Cities, Climate Alliance, Eurocities and CEMR.

Experienced moderators will be present to ensure interaction, debate and relationship building throughout the panel. Each panelist will present and share their vision of a multi-level partnership for the roll-out of the Energy Union; to reflect upon energy market regulation, and to discuss how to best tap the potential of decentralized approaches (generation and distribution) for a sustainable energy transition.

Audience participation, both in terms of questions presented directly to the panelists as well as personal contributions will be encouraged by the moderators.

View the programme here.