Challenges of energy transformation in the European multi-level system. From Brussels to the local level

The transformation of energy systems within the European multi-level system requires complex coordination processes across levels of government and between public and private actors. Ambitious goals are formulated not only on the national but also on the supra- and subnational levels. The interdependencies between the national and the subnational or regional levels have been studied at length. However, the coordination processes between the supranational and the local level have gained interest only recently. The European Union has established ambitious goals in terms of energy transition (European Commission 2008; European Council 2014). To achieve these goals, effective measures have to be implemented not only at the national and regional but also at the local level. In fact, the involvement of the local level, especially of cities and urban areas, is crucial, as they display a high potential to contribute to energy saving, energy efficiency and the promotion of renewable energy sources. Urban areas consume more energy than rural areas due to higher population density. Thus, efforts to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions must target cities. Furthermore, cities play an important role as innovators, policy laboratories and role models as they develop lighthouse projects concerning energy saving, energy efficiency and the integration of renewable energy sources (see Bulkeley/Kern 2006). Consequently, the EU offers specific incentives and promotes horizontal cooperation between cities to stimulate lighthouse projects, promote policy change at the local level and diffusion of local expert knowledge. Several regulations, directives, funding programs and efforts to encourage horizontal cooperation are targeted directly at the local level. The proposed paper focusses on the impact of EU regulative policies, funding programs and the promotion of transnational coordination on the local level. How do local actors react to the European multi-level governance system and the challenges and opportunities that are provided? Do local actors perceive EU policy instruments as relevant for local action? What are the obstacles and facilitators of coordinating local approaches to energy transformation? The proposal is based on a dataset of energy and climate mitigation policies in 85 German major cities (cities with more than 100.000 inhabitants). The dataset was established on behalf of the German Research Foundation and includes questionnaire based survey data as well as official statistics. The data is supplemented by insights from in-depth case studies of the three major German cities Frankfurt/Main, Munich and Stuttgart.