Covenant of Mayors: 2023 assessment

Since 2008, the European Commission has supported local and regional authorities through the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (CoM), offering capacity building, technical assistance, and opportunities for peer learning and sharing best practices. The initiative helps local governments monitor energy consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and assess risks, allowing them to set emission reduction and adaptation goals.

This report provides a scientific evaluation of the CoM's efforts in climate mitigation and adaptation across Europe, analyzing signatories' plans and progress. It highlights that 1,631 signatories in the EU-27 have committed to a 55.2% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030. However, among 676 action plans with monitoring reports, a 48% reduction is projected—suggesting the need for further efforts to meet the target.

On adaptation, the report identifies vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and low-income households, facing significant risks from climate hazards like extreme heat, drought, floods, and sea level rise, which affect 65.3 million people.