The European Federation of Agencies and Regions for Energy and the Environment

 

FEDARENE was created on 8th June 1990 by 6 regional authorities – Rhône-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur, Wallonie, País Vasco, Aquitaine and Nord-Pas-de-Calais. Encouraged by different programmes of the European Commission, these authorities wanted to make the voice of the regions heard in the debate on energy and environment policies at the European level. The Brussels office opened its doors in November 1991. The six pioneers quickly attracted followers and the network reached 40 members already in 1995.

The successive enlargements of the European Union extended FEDARENE’s sphere of influence and today more than 80 organisations from 23 European countries form the FEDARENE network of cooperation. It is now a crossroads for a wide array of agencies which are not only the driving force behind the development of the network, but also play an essential role in policy making. They act as producers of ideas on the regional, national, European and international levels, and as implementers of decisions emanating from these levels.

FEDARENE is one of the founding partners of the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, which was launched in 2008. The initiative is currently managed by a consortium of networks of local and regional authorities, led by Energy Cities and Climate Alliance, and composed of CEMR, Eurocities, FEDARENE, and ICLEI Europe. The Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy is now the world’s largest movement for local climate and energy actions, bringing together over 7,700 signatory local authorities, as well as supporting organisations who strive to fast- track local climate and energy action and go beyond the EU’s 40% greenhouse gas-reduction target by 2030.

 

FEDARENE's Mission

FEDARENE acts as a liaison between local/regional autho­rities and the European Institutions. We make the voice of regions and energy agencies heard at the European level and inform our constituency of relevant European initiatives and policies.

FEDARENE promotes the exchange of experience and the development of transnational projects. Through its events and networking activities, FEDARENE brings together organisations from across Europe to share know-how, develop European projects and replicate successful initiatives.

FEDARENE provides a forum of discussion for stakeholders of the energy sector. FEDARENE serves as a platform not only to its members but to all stakeholders striving for the energy transition: public authorities, non-governmental organisations, citizens, small and medium-sized enterprises and financial institutions amongst others.

 

Source: FEDARENE