Publications & tools

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Letters and statements
Published: 2026

Joint call for action on circular construction

Background: Why a joint call for action on circular construction?
The European Commission is preparing a legislative act on circular economy – the Circular Economy Act (CEA). This is a critical opportunity to act, enabling and streamlining circular construction, renovation and demolition practices. The act is planned for proposal in 2026 (3rd quarter), followed by negotiations between the European Parliament and Council. During this time, frontrunner cities and regions need to stand toget...

From Planning to Delivery: How to Make National Energy and Climate Plans More Implementable and Investable

As the EU prepares to revise the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action Regulation, a key opportunity emerges to make climate governance more implementation-oriented, investable, and better connected to local action. While the current framework has greatly improved energy transition planning through National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), it does not sufficiently reflect how the energy transition and climate action are delivered in practice through local and regional action, existi...

Letter on the next EU budget (2028-2034) from the Local Alliance

This letter sets out the Local Alliance's joint recommendations for an EU budget that strengthens Europe’s competitiveness, cohesion and citizens’ trust, while ensuring that local and regional authorities are fully involved in the design and delivery of EU priorities.
In particular, and in light of the European Parliament’s MFF interim report and its draft positions on the National and Regional Partnership Plans and the European Competitiveness Fund, the letter highlights the ...
Responses to public consultations
Published: 2026

ICLEI Europe’s Response to the call for evidence on the right to stay strategy

The Right to Stay strategy aims to tackle regional disparities so that all citizens can effectively exercise their right to stay in the place they call home.
ICLEI Europe calls for the Strategy to reinforce existing EU frameworks and funding instruments, support local and regional governments as key delivery partners, and ensure that all territories have the capacity, investment and governance needed to make staying a genuine choice.Building on its work with local and regional governments acros...

From Local Burden to Shared Responsibility: Why the PFAS Conversation Must Start at the Local Level

PFAS pollution has become a worrying issue across Europe. To address local and regional governments’ PFAS related problems, an informal working group of regions and cities has been established. The group has recently reached a concrete milestone with the preparation of a joint position paper, aimed at ensuring that the perspectives and responsibilities of LRAs are reflected in the ongoing EU-level debate.
The group includes some of our REXCom member cities - Rotterdam and Antwerp. We as I...
Position paper
Published: 2026

Calling on the German government to strengthen the role of local governments in the energy transition

Breaking free from the fossil cost trap – why municipalities need planning security
ICLEI Europe welcomes the German government’s intent to advance the heat transition through the upcoming Building Modernisation Act (GModG). However, the current draft, published in February 2026, falls short of delivering the transformative, long-term approach needed to meet Germany’s climate targets, ensure energy security, and make the transition socially just.
The proposed reliance on gree...

European Town Hall COPs Briefing Note

Town Hall COPs in Europe are community-led climate dialogues that connect local citizens, cities, and regions with national and global climate processes, including the UNFCCC.
They bring European climate action closer to people by linking local priorities, such as energy costs, housing, health, mobility, and jobs, to national climate plans and EU climate goals. These dialogues help cities showcase solutions already being implemented, strengthen cooperation across governance levels, and ensure t...

The power of our network: 2025 Inspiring Action Report

In 2025, ICLEI Europe and its members continued to demonstrate the power of local action. Across Europe, cities and regions made meaningful progress in advancing sustainability across cross-cutting areas – from climate action and energy transition to inclusive, resilient urban development. ICLEI Europe was proud to support, connect, and amplify this work, helping local ambitions translate into tangible impact.
This year also marked an important moment of transition for our organisation. A...
Responses to public consultations
Published: 2026

ICLEI Europe’s response to the call for evidence for update of the governance of the Energy Union and climate action

Adopted in 2018, the Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action established the EU’s integrated framework for planning, monitoring and coordinating climate and energy policies through National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) and Long-Term Strategies (LTSs), replacing over fifty fragmented obligations. As the Commission’s 2024 evaluation notes, it has improved cross-sector coordination, transparency and policy development across Member States.
Since then, th...