CASCADE is a 3-year project (2011-2014) of networking and mutual learning on local energy leadership. It supports cities in delivering the European Union 2020 targets for energy and climate change.

Coordinated by EUROCITIES, the project involves 19 large European cities as partners as well as thematic experts Koucky & Partners and Wuppertal Institute. The project has a budget of €2 Million, with 75% of that being financed by the EU.

With a focus of three thematic areas (energy efficiency in buildings & districts; renewable energy sources & distributed energy generation; and energy in urban transport), the project aims to:

• Improve and accelerate the implementation of Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs);
• Ensure meaningful and sustained learning and sharing of good practices between cities; and
• Promote the position of cities as crucial actors for knowledge transfer within their country.

Through large-scale networking, mutual learning and best practice sharing activities, the CASCADE project will inspire improvements in the implementation of sustainable energy policies in large and medium European cities.

Cities are a crucial challenge and opportunity for EU energy policy

Today, 75% of Europe’s population lives in cities, and accounts for 80% of our energy consumption. By 2050, 83% of Europeans will be living in cities, according to forecasts by the United Nations. The energy challenges in Europe will continue to be located mainly in cities. However, cities – particularly big cities - also offer large energy opportunities, as well-managed urban concentration reduces transport distances for people, goods and energy, and provides potential to increase the energy efficiency of heating and cooling.