Preface

Author: Valérie BENARD, Project Officer – Energy Efficiency Unit, EACI, Belgium - Email

With over 70% of the population living in urban areas, cities and towns use huge amounts of energy. In light of the vast energy challenges facing Europe, the European Union (EU) recognised the importance of local and regional initiatives to reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions as well as to increase the use of renewable energy. The flagship initiative Covenant of Mayors was launched by the European Commission to offer public authorities a democratic response to climate change and to provide a platform for exchange and collaboration. The large endorsement from local and regional authorities to this initiative is extremely encouraging with over 1.900 signatories to the Covenant of Mayors, all committed to develop and implement sustainable energy action plans. These local initiatives considerably contribute to reaching European targets and to ensuring a sustainable future for all.

Participants at the Second Covenant of Mayors Ceremony, Brussels, Belgium, 4 May 2010. Photographer: Paul O'Driscoll

The Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) Programme offers technical support to public authorities through the financing of the ManagEnergy portal, aiming to assist actors from the public sector and their advisers working on energy efficiency and renewable energy. The programme also finances European projects in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. Public authorities are one of the main target groups addressed by the programme and they are particularly active within the 'Sustainable Energy Communities' key action.

The new ManagEnergy Portal, launched in September 2010

The Sustainable Energy Communities IEE projects featured in this Newsletter were financed under the 2009 call and are specifically aimed at helping communities to be, or become, members of the Covenant of Mayors. They will support these communities to embrace sustainable energy issues in a holistic way as well as strengthen collaboration between all relevant stakeholders. A strong collaboration between these projects was established in order to ensure that synergies are exploited to a maximum both in terms of dissemination activities and outcomes. We are confident that these projects will greatly contribute to the EU 20-20-20 targets and ensure the implementation of tangible actions, which will lead to sustainable energy lifestyles throughout Europe.

I wish you happy reading and trust that you will find food for thought and ideas for actions in the various Sustainable Energy Communities News articles to be published over the next three years. 

Valérie Benard

Find further information on the Intelligent Energy -  Europe programme at:
ec.europa.eu/intelligentenergy