Severn Wye Energy Agency
Come2CoM
Covenant of Mayors
Come2CoM is a 24 month project, supported by Intelligent Energy Europe, which seeks to promote and support the Covenant of Mayors Initiative in the UK.
<< Jump to the video
What is the Covenant of Mayors?
Key Points
Support for local authorities on:
- Signing up to CoM
- Calculating Baseline Emissions Inventory (BEI)
- Development of Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAP)
The Covenant of Mayors Initiative (CoM) is a formal commitment made by a city (or Local Authority) to go beyond the EU 20-20-20 objectives in terms of reducing CO2 emissions. These are set out in the European Union Energy for a Changing World package, adopted in 2007, which commits the EU to reduce CO2 emissions by 20% by 2020, as a result of:
- 20% increase in energy efficiency
- 20% share of renewable energy in the supply mix
Introduction to the Covenant of Mayors
Watch our short film highlighting the issue of European carbon footprints and efforts by communities to combat this, through the Covenant of Mayors project.
How Can Come2CoM Help?
The main aims of Come2CoM are the promotion and support of Covenant of Mayors Initiative by:
- Engaging new 'cities' (can be interpreted as local authorities more generally) in the CoM initiative
- Helping cities to prepare Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs)
- Creating links to other cities, in the UK and Europe, who are part of the CoM
- Signposting to tools and support available, for example through national networks and supporting structures including the Energy Saving Trust
Severn Wye Energy Agency (SWEA) is offering help to up to 30 UK Local Authorities with a package of support including:
- Regular information and updates on the CoM
- Case studies from other cities who have successfully signed the Covenant
- Information on how to sign up to the Covenant
- Reports on the software, tools and methodologies for carrying out a Baseline Emissions Inventory (BEI)
- Help with drafting of 10 year SEAPs through direct support and regional seminars
- Establishing systems to monitor progress against targets
- Links to a network of 12 European partners supporting the CoM
- Promotional campaigns to include a short film, websites, press coverage and exhibitions at conferences
The project started in May 2010 and will run through to April 2012.
Two UK case studies are already available - Sunderland City Council and ANEC
Latest Information
The sole responsibility for the content of this document lies with the authors. It does not represent the opinion of the European Communities. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
SWEA Coordinators
Kierson Wise - Head of Partnerships & Development
![[email]](site_graphics/icon_email.png){kind=icon} | kierson |  |
![[phone]](site_graphics/icon_phone.png){kind=icon} | +44 (0)1452 835073 | |
Kaye Welfare - Assistant Chief Executive
| kaye | |
| +44 (0)1452 835081 | |
Related Projects
Gloucestershire Environment Partnership
There are now 3805 signatories signed up to Covenant of Mayors across Europe, this includes 33 signatories from the United Kingdom. Bath & North East Somerset has become the latest UK Signatory to join the Covenant of Mayors, completing their registration on the 24th of January 2012.
Twenty of the UK signatories have also submitted their Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs), the key document in which the Covenant signatory outlines how it intends to reach its CO2 emission reduction target of at least 20% by 2020. Severn Wye Energy Agency is currently supporting Bath & North East Somerset and other councils to develop their baseline inventory and SEAPs.
Severn Wye’s come2CoM team have also been busy raising the profile of the Covenant across the country, contacting 100+ authorities and arranging consultations.
“The scheme is not a ‘sign and forget’ affair,” said Severn Wye Energy Agency’s Kierson Wise. “It is a real opportunity for councils to make a public commitment to fight against climate change, quantify all existing carbon reduction activity and put together a realistic plan to meet a 20% reduction target.”
“Signing the covenant also increases chances of accessing European funding to support delivery of actions in the SEAP and gives local authorities networking opportunities.”
Project Links
Covenant of Mayors - European office
Covenant of Mayors - Map of all UK & European Signatories
Energy Saving Trust - Supporting Structure for CoM
European Investment bank - European Local Energy Assistance -Elena
Intelligent Energy Europe
DECC - Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) & Green Deal
INTERREG 4C
European Future Energy Forum 2011 in Geneva
The following Local Authorities are already COM signatories with links to sustainability pages and access to their SEAPs:
Aberdeen- Carbon Management Programme
Bristol - Sustainability
Birmingham - Making Birmingham Green
Cardiff - Sustainable Cardiff
Durham - Low Carbon Communities
Glasgow - Sustainable Glasgow Initiative
Kirklees - Low Carbon Communities
Manchester - Green City
Middlesbrough - Climate Change Community Action Plan
Milton Keynes- Low Carbon Living Strategy & Action Plan
Newcastle - Citywide Climate Change Strategy
Redcar & Cleveland- Sustainable Energy Action Plan
Sutherland - Climate Change Action Plan
Scotland - Sustainable Scotland Network
Wales - Climate Change Strategy for Wales