The President of the Committee of the Regions, Mercedes Bresso, and the Commissioner for Energy, Günther Oettinger, called for stronger involvement of regions and cities for a sustainable Europe.Cities are home to 80% of the population in the EU and are responsible for 70% of its greenhouse gas emissions.

Taking concrete examples, she outlined how cities and regions can boost renewable energies and energy efficiency: via green public procurement and fiscal incentives to businesses and families, via public investments in carbon-free technologies and enforcement of energy efficiency rules, via mobilisation of citizens and "green" public-private partnership.

Commissioner Günther Oettinger said the Commission recognizes the vital roles of regions and will be facilitating the transition to a new energy efficiency plan on the 8th of March, which will include stringent measures. This plan is to increase, among others, energy savings for customers and create a new eco design for industrial programs.

Mercedes Bresso wants the Covenant of Mayors to become more robust through a reinforced political partnership between the European Commission and the Covenant stakeholders. She warned that any failure to do so would eventually slash the credibility of Europe in the eyes of cities and regions.

Tackling energy efficiency requires the involvement of all actors. This in turn will help in implementing policies, while supporting the Covenant of Mayors will sustain job creation, smart and sustainable mobility and smart communities that will be likely to become job-intensive communities Commissioner Oettinger highlighted. He concluded by stressing that cities and regions are the main beneficiaries of this project and achieving their involvement would bring a significant contribution toward creating a common energy objective for a sustainable future.

The Commissioner also reminded attendees of the ongoing public consultation on energy infrastructure to gather best practices and experiences from authorities and private stakeholders. Commissioner Oettinger and CoR President Mercedes Bresso will jointly introduce the winners of the ManagEnergy 2011 Award during the European Sustainable Development Week on 13th April.