EU Cities Commit to Energy Savings

The mayors of more than 500 European cities have pledged to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 20% in ten years.

They will do this by increasing investment in renewable energies, raising awareness of power use among constituents and by introducing energy saving schemes.

By signing the Covenant of Mayors, a European Commission initiative, the councilors have promised to get energy savings on a grass roots level, according to the commissioner responsible for energy Günther Oettinger.

“Regions and cities are demonstrating that climate mitigation is one of the best economic recovery strategies,” Oettinger said.

Investment into the reduction of CO2 emissions and energy efficiency creates jobs which by their nature cannot be delocalised, Oettinger said.