Do local actions affect the climate? JRC research confirms that they do

The latest analyses by the Joint Research Center (JRC) titled “Covenant of Mayors 2025 Assessment” confirm that municipalities that step up their efforts in the areas of climate action and clean, affordable energy will reduce emissions by nearly half by 2030.

How do local climate actions contribute to reducing emissions?

Projections based on municipal plans show that they are on track to reduce emissions by 48.5 percent by 2030. As the authors point out, in order to fully achieve this goal—that is, to reduce net emissions by at least 55 percent compared to 1990 levels—further action, political support, and greater investment are urgently needed. We wrote about the assumptions behind the 2030 climate target in one of our previous articles: The “Fit for 55” package of directives adopted by the Council of the European Union.

The analyses, which were published in two separate reports, quantified the combined impact of more than 10,000 municipalities in the EU-27 and EFTA that are engaged in climate action. These municipalities operate under the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (CoM-EU) initiative, the largest such movement of local governments in Europe.

Furthermore, analyses point to tangible and significant progress toward reducing emissions, adapting to climate change, and combating energy poverty through a holistic approach. In their plans, local authorities identify areas where accelerated action is needed and provide decision-makers with a clear roadmap for prioritizing future investments.

Reducing Emissions from Buildings and Transportation

One of the elements highlighted in the analyses is the reduction of emissions from buildings and transportation, which top the dismal rankings for emissions and energy demand. They account for 48 percent and 33 percent, respectively, of final energy consumption in municipal areas, and for 57 percent and 36 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions.

As the authors of the analyses show, to curb these phenomena, municipalities are implementing measures that include establishing standards for energy-efficient buildings, conducting public awareness campaigns, providing tax incentives for eco-friendly vehicles, and building active mobility infrastructure, such as bike lanes.

Clean Electricity Generation

The production of clean electricity is of great importance for climate action. As analyses show, local energy production from renewable sources is growing rapidly and is thus contributing to a reduction in emissions. The increased use of photovoltaic (PV) panels indicates a significant rise in the role of local electricity generation. Wind power is also expanding. Electricity generation at hydroelectric power plants remains stable.

To date, these renewable energy sources have helped reduce total emissions by 22 percent in municipalities that are members of the Covenant of Mayors and the EU.

Climate-related threats to local communities

The analyses show that municipalities demonstrate a thorough understanding of specific climate risks and the needs of vulnerable groups within their territories. The most frequently reported risks are extreme heat (in 91 percent of municipalities), heavy rainfall (in 87 percent), droughts and water shortages (in 86 percent), and floods and rising sea levels (in 81 percent).

Climate change adaptation is becoming increasingly targeted and tailored to specific needs. It takes into account identified risks and vulnerabilities and links them to appropriate strategies tailored to the specific context.

Addressing Energy Poverty in Local Climate Strategies

As JRC analyses show, the inclusion of energy poverty in local climate strategies is a growing trend, although it is still in its early stages—18 percent of municipalities are incorporating this pillar into various stages of their climate action. As many as 94 percent of them have integrated energy poverty measures with the pillars of climate change mitigation and adaptation. This demonstrates a deeply holistic approach to climate planning at the local level.

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Main photo: ValdasMiskinis/Pixabay

In writing the article, I used:

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC146551