Speech by Commissioner Elisa Ferreira (by video message) for the event: “Mobilizing the EU's cohesion policy to unlock Europe's cities and regions' potential to save energy”

Dear friends of energy saving,

I was delighted the other day to hear that one of the top priorities for Europe's mayors is fighting climate change and deliver on sustainability.

A survey by Eurocities found that for more than half of Europe's local leaders, measures such as reducing emissions are at the top of their policy priorities.

To those of us working in EU Cohesion Policy this news is welcome, but no surprise.

We are vigilant that no region and no citizen would be left behind, as green transition and decarbonisation goes ahead. And it is important to keep Cohesion in the process. We need to do our utmost that no new divides emerge: between those who have clean, affordable energy and modern networks and those stuck with dirty fuels and outdated infrastructure.

We know that if you want just transformation at the local level, then the cities, towns and regions of Europe are essential partners.

And local partners across Europe are already mobilising to promote energy saving, as part of our drive to just transition.

In our new Cohesion programmes, 21 billion euros will support investments in energy efficiency measures. Including for example, the renovation of 700,000 homes.

And we have embedded the “energy efficiency first” principle in the new Cohesion programmes. Because the greenest form of energy is the energy you don't use.

And, as you know, energy efficiency has a key role to play in reducing energy bills and energy poverty. But also contributing to higher quality of life by reducing pollution, especially when emissions from heating are concerned. Energy efficiency, of buildings in particular, also allows more comfort for the same price. It simply is a win-win situation.

So my thanks and appreciation to the European Alliance to Save Energy, and to the Regione Lombardia for this initiative.

I welcome your initiative, and I would particularly like to underline that public-private partnerships are a key priority for the European Commission too.

We believe, as you do, that such partnerships are very much needed in the field of energy efficiency, especially when it comes to building renovation.

In your discussions today and future work, I urge you to keep in mind the various local development tools, and resources, available under EU Cohesion Policy.

For example, 12.6 billion euros are earmarked for supporting place-based, local development, in partnership with local actors.

In addition, the European Urban Initiative is a new instrument to support innovation in urban development. These instruments, and more, are important opportunities for us to support your investments in local energy saving, and to help you find new ideas, and new partners across Europe.

So, let us work together, getting the word out. Let us mobilise even more regions and cities to save energy. And let us reduce energy poverty, making Europe not just greener, but also a better place to live.

Thank you, and I wish you very fruitful discussions.