Events

The climate emergency must be tackled in cities. Cities, covering about 3% of the land on Earth but producing 72% of all greenhouse gas emissions, are the melting pot where decarbonisation strategies for energy, transport, buildings, industry and agriculture coexist and intersect. They are places where there is access to capital. They are also large enough to create the economies of scale necessary for the piloting and scaling up new ideas and concepts. Importantly, the climate emergency must be tackled by engaging citizens who are not only political actors but also users, producers, consumers and owners.

The mission of the EU's “Inspiring the next 100 climate neutral cities” takes into consideration multiple typologies of European cities in terms of size, spatial context, governance, budget and ability to mobilize the necessary financing, and the current level of climate action. It aims to use already existing innovation hubs and national, European and global forerunners that can promote technologies and innovative solutions for sustainable energy, transport, food, water and material systems. They will inspire additional urban areas, and eventually the whole of Europe, to accelerate their policies for climate action and transition.

This session will focus on the need to have better-equipped cities to respond to the increasing challenges related to the energy transition, greenhouse gases, mobility, or tourism.

• How can Nature-Based Solutions create societal, economic, and environmental benefits in urban areas?
• Why is it important for local and regional authorities to find innovative and cost-effective approaches for sustainable climate action plans? 
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  How are EBN members contributing to developing eco & open-innovation smart city initiatives locally?

Speakers:

• Martin Krekeler, Coordinator, CLEVER Cities project
• Kimmo Jarva, Mayor, City of Lappeenranta
• Leïla Belmerhnia, R&D Project Manager, EU|BIC TVT Innovation
• Guri Bugge, Coordinator, Pentahelix
• Florian Sora, Project Manager, EBN

More information is available on the event website.