The World Alliance signs an MoU with the EU Covenant of Mayors

At present, the Covenant of Mayors counts 7,659 signatories, local and regional authorities encompassing 238,748,131 inhabitants, voluntarily committed to implementing EU climate and energy objectives on their territory. New signatories today pledge to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 40% by 2030, and to adopt an integrated approach to tackling mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

As the World Alliance sets off to select #1000 Efficient Solutions, it will strengthen bilateral cooperation with the Convent of Mayors in areas of common interest, notably in clean, smart, efficient and renewable energy technologies, related societal innovation and low carbon development.

The Covenant of Mayors community and the World Alliance will build strong synergies by:

• Identifying potential local contexts where Efficient Solutions to climate change challenges could be implemented.
• Encouraging local and regional authorities willing to develop and implement technological innovations and pilot projects in order to boost equity and clean economic growth.
• Working to make a positive contribution towards a cleaner, more sustainable and more livable environments for citizens.

The signing of agreement took place at the EU Energy Day, held during COP23, between Eckart Würzner, Mayor of Heidelberg and Member of the Covenant Political Board, and Bertrand Piccard. The event brought together policy-makers and industry representatives to discuss the economic aspects of the clean energy transition, such as clean energy solutions for decarbonisation, economic growth and jobs. 

“Bertrand Piccard, when you were flying over San Francisco with Solar Impulse, you were looking at citizens and mayors coming up for solutions to change the cities. Today you are with them. Thank you,”
Eckart Wuerzner, Mayor of Heidelberg.

“Our collaboration with the Covenant of Mayors will allow cities that want to act quickly to have access to clean and profitable solutions that are ready to be implemented. I hope it will also encourage others to join the movement and adopt more ambitious energy policies and environmental targets,”
Bertrand Piccard.