Local governments can have a comparative advantage if they choose to take Climate Action Initiative and the lead on applying climate change & energy policies, through the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of concrete local climate actions.

In the Mediterranean region, Climate Action Initiative at local level is particularly needed as national policies do not respond to the hot-spot challenges and where actions should be originated and tailored to local circumstances and the need of resident constituencies.

South Mediterranean Mayors showed commitment to join the Covenant of Mayors, as 158 signatories have already joined through the previous CES-MED project and the current Clima-Med project.