Progress on urban energy access and energy poverty in the Global Covenant of Mayors initiative

Abstract Energy access and energy poverty affect hundreds of millions of urban residents, yet municipalities lack standardized tools for coordinated intervention. Here we present the Energy Access and Energy Poverty Pillar, a methodological framework enabling municipalities to assess, plan and report on energy interventions across three energy dimensions: security, sustainability and affordability. The framework operationalizes energy action and sets a standardized global mechanism for integrating energy considerations into climate commitments at the municipal level. We demonstrate framework implementation through analysis of 1,354 municipalities across ten regions worldwide representing 296 million people during the first operational year of 2023. Initial adoption patterns reveal that larger cities engage more readily with technical assessment components. We analyse 1,095 actions from European municipalities revealing concentration in sectors under direct local control. The framework marks a step forward in urban climate action providing municipalities with tools to address energy challenges while advancing climate objectives and social equity.