ACR+ and Energy Cities join forces in a new strategic partnership

Convinced of the great potential of combining the circular economy with the energy transition, two European networks are entering into a new strategic partnership. ACR+ and Energy Cities unite forces and expertise to support even further local and regional governments and agencies in their ambition to reinvent their territory’s prosperity within planet boundaries.

Brussels, Belgium – A clean energy transition is unfolding in Europe to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change. But is boosting energy efficiency and accelerating the transition to renewable energy enough to move towards a prosperous, sustainable and climate-neutral future? How to ensure that the access to critical raw materials will not slow down the shift to renewable energy?

For the Association of Cities and Regions for sustainable Resource management (ACR+) and Energy Cities, the answer makes no doubt. Circular economy and energy transition go hand in hand. Futureproof cities will become a reality only if cities transform their entire metabolism with a climate-neutral approach and foster interdependence between sectors, between territories, between economic, social and cultural players.

Putting words into action, the two networks are entering into a new strategic partnership. Although they built a distinctive technical expertise along the years, setting a learning community for future-proof cities for one and accelerating the transition towards a circular economy for the other, Energy Cities and ACR+ share the same work ethics and principles for actions. They both thrive to activate, empower and inspire local leaders. Starting from this January, they will mutualise resources and knowledge to support even further local and regional governments and agencies in their ambition to reinvent their territory’s prosperity within planet boundaries.

What does it mean concretely? As a starting point, members of both networks are granted access to the services of the other to multiply networking, learning, and funding opportunities. In addition, ACR+ and Energy Cities will lead common initiatives and actions to push forward their shared vision on the European and international agendas.

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