Cities, businesses and the civil society are starting to play a more active role in tackling climate change. Through innovative projects and effective collaboration, they are testing new solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change, contributing to the design of new regulations, removing technical barriers, promoting green investments and helping to change habits. The impacts of climate action in cities are multifaceted, span across many areas and have a positive impact on different spheres of life and the environment.

Cities are setting ambitious climate and environmental goals, designing new strategies and planning new investments. Working together with multiple stakeholders from the very beginning makes it easier to understand the challenges urban areas are currently facing and enables various organizations to receive support or funding for climate projects. By getting cities, businesses, and the civil society to converse and plan together early on, goals can be mutualy set, leading to better projects and, ultimately, better mitigation of climate change. By fostering innovation, promoting sustainable practices, and prioritizing different stakeholder engagement, these partnerships, between the public and the private sector, pave the way for a more sustainable future, where cities thrive in harmony with the planet.

According to estimates by Material Economics and followed by the European Commission, only 17% of investments in a carbon-free future will be made directly by cities. The remaining 83% will have to be made directly or indirectly by citizens, businesses and other stakeholders. High levels of community and business support as well as engagement are needed to help the most ambitious cities achieve climate neutrality by 2030 and other European cities by 2050.

The international conference aims to showcase best practices of pilot projects and effective partnerships in different European cities in the fields of emission reduction, renewable energy deployment, waste management, sustainable construction, sustainable mobility, digitisation, green jobs and green investments. By presenting innovative projects and ways of bringing together different stakeholders, we aim to inspire everyone to rethink the role of cities and to recognise the benefits of working together on the path to climate neutrality.

The Green Penguin project is financially supported by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism and the Slovenian contribution of the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development of the Republic of Slovenia in the amount of EUR 764,281.54. The project aims to provide a solution for smart cities and to support the achievement of carbon neutrality through education and citizen involvement.