SECAP Guidebooks to Support Municipal Climate and Energy Actions: New Toolkit Published by the European Commission (JRC)

Published on: 16/09/2025

As Europe accelerates its efforts toward climate neutrality, the EU Covenant of Mayors has released an updated Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP), providing municipalities with practical tools to design and implement ambitious local climate and energy strategies.

The SECAP toolkit, developed by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC), helps municipalities plan and implement sustainable energy and climate actions. It is designed for signatories of the Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy – Europe (CoM EU), an initiative that brings together local authorities across Europe to take action on climate change and energy sustainability.

The document provides clear guidance, practical methods, and examples to help municipalities develop effective climate and energy action plans. The 2025 update integrates the latest scientific insights, expanded thematic coverage, and practical examples from municipalities across Europe.

To facilitate the practical application of these strategies, the guidebook is accompanied by five complementary technical documents:

Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory – updated methodologies to measure local emissions
Risk and Vulnerability Assessment – guidance to identify and address climate hazards
Energy Poverty Assessment – tools to assess and tackle energy poverty in communities
Planning Mitigation, Adaptation, and Energy Poverty Actions – guidance to prioritize and implement actions
Financial Instruments for Climate Actions – overview of funding opportunities and innovative financing mechanisms

By showcasing local experiences, including municipalities participating in EU Missions such as the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities and Adaptation to Climate Change initiatives, the toolkit and its companion documents help translate strategic planning into concrete action. They also ensure that local efforts are aligned with overarching EU objectives, including the European Green Deal, EU Climate Law, and REPowerEU strategy.

Municipalities are encouraged to use this toolkit to strengthen their SECAPs and contribute to Europe’s climate-neutral future.

Download the full guide here: Download the guidebook
Find out more here: More information on SECAP Guidebooks