Municipal action

Climate Alliance members have committed themselves to the continuous reduction of their greenhouse gas emissions. Through the Climate Alliance Member Charter, they aim to achieve CO2 emission reductions of at least 95% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels – an aim in line with both EU climate goals and Paris Agreement reduction targets. Remaining emissions can be offset through local projects and local sinks, for example, via agriculture and forestry.

Climate Alliance cities undertake a wide array of measures to close this emissions gap, mostly focusing on a mix of energy conservation, energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies. The network has identified concrete recommendations for municipal climate action its Member Charter.

Local governments are luckily in a relatively influential position when it comes to the ability to provoke positive change. They can implement urban planning and transport policy that promote climate-friendly mobility. They can give incentives and shape building codes to encourage energy efficiency in the building sector, not to mention the potential they have to serve as role models with their own public buildings stock. They can shape their emissions through targeted, climate-conscious public procurement, water use and waste disposal strategies, and they also hold sway in terms of agriculture, forestry and tourism. Finally, municipalities can engage their residents to contribute to the fight against climate change in their everyday lives, be it in terms of consumption patterns, lifestyle choices or ways of doing business.

Of course, the local level cannot act in a vacuum – reaching ambitious targets will also require concerted efforts on the international, national and regional levels. By getting off to a head start locally, however, Climate Alliance members are leading by example.