Ten European mayors marked a historic milestone this month by officially signing the Gas-Free Cities declaration — bringing the total number of signatory cities to ten.
The signatories, spanning cities in Germany, Denmark, Poland, France, and Italy, represent a combined population of more than 8 million residents. Each has committed to a concrete timeline for phasing out fossil gas from municipal buildings, starting with new construction and extending to existing building stock within a decade.
A signal to national governments
Campaign coordinator Manon Laudy called the milestone “a turning point.” She said: “When ten cities across Europe speak with one voice, national governments and the EU institutions listen. This is no longer a fringe position — it is mainstream climate policy.”
The signing ceremony, held virtually, was attended by representatives of each city’s administration as well as observers from the European Commission and several national energy ministries.
What signatories commit to
Under the declaration, mayors commit to:
- Ending fossil gas connections in all new buildings by a target year (typically 2030–2035)
- Phasing out existing gas heating and cooking infrastructure within ten years of signing
- Investing in clean alternatives, including heat pumps, district heating, and renewable energy
- Reporting publicly on progress annually
Cities also gain access to a peer network, technical assistance programme, and a dedicated EU funding advisory service managed by the campaign team.
What comes next
The campaign is now in active conversations with a further fifteen cities across the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, and Spain. Campaign leadership expects to announce additional signatories in the first quarter of 2025.
For press enquiries, contact Manon Laudy.