Europe’s 30-year cities movement calls to step up the speed for a green transition

The 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns (ESCT) aims to enhance collaboration between the EU, national, and local levels to expedite Europe’s shift towards climate neutrality. The event, held in Aalborg, brought together mayors and representatives from various European regions to celebrate a significant milestone in the sustainable cities and towns movement. Emphasizing the importance of policies driving Europe towards a carbon-neutral and competitive future, they also stressed the creation of local markets for clean industries and jobs through the Aalborg Conditions.

The Aalborg Conditions highlight the necessity of three key policy changes at the EU and national levels – shared governance, integrated finance, and a socially inclusive, cohesive transition. Building on the progress made over three decades since the Aalborg Charter (1994) and Aalborg Commitments (2004), the Aalborg Conditions underscore the need for cohesive climate and sustainability strategies across Europe to align with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and the EU Green Deal.

Aalborg Mayor, Lasse Frimand Jensen, emphasized the collaborative approach in addressing environmental challenges, stating that cities must take the lead in driving the green transition. Delegates at the conference agreed on the importance of a shared vision and strong commitment to democratic processes for effective implementation of solutions at the local level. As the clock ticks on global climate targets, the Aalborg Conditions provide a roadmap for the upcoming EU legislative period, demonstrating the readiness of local and national leaders to steer Europe towards a future where climate neutrality, competitiveness, and social fairness are interconnected.

Martin Horn, Lord Mayor of Freiburg and President of ICLEI Europe, stressed the urgency of bold actions and immediate investments to combat climate change effectively, emphasizing the need for collaboration across all government levels. Wolfgang Teubner, Regional Director Europe at ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, highlighted the importance of supportive conditions from national and EU levels to implement ambitious strategies and action plans successfully at the local level, promoting flexibility in regulations and financing to accommodate locally developed solutions through dialogue and cooperation among various government levels and stakeholders.