Coffee @ Solutions Showcase

To reach net-zero emissions before 2050, all cities need to account for and share their GHG emissions as a first step towards reducing them. The usefulness of terms such as zero carbon, low-carbon or carbon-neutral is severely limited without proper definitions. There is a growing need to establish appropriate definitions for the scope of city emission. They often constitute the lion’s share of an overall carbon footprint and are therefore seen as a significant lever.

Joanna Drake - European Commission

Deputy Director-General, DG for Research and Innovation

REPORTING GUIDELINES ON EMISSIONS FOR EUROPE IN EU POLICY DOCUMENT

Anchored on the EU Green Deal, the EU Mission Board for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities (European Commission, 2020) has set the objective to “Reach 100 climate-neutral cities by 2030”. The mission aims to support, promote and showcase 100 European cities in their systemic transformation towards climate neutrality by 2030 and make these cities experimentation and innovation hubs for all cities.

Max Jamieson - World Resources Institute

Global Lead for Integrated Climate Action at WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities

Simone Mangili - Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance

Executive Director

Ryan Green - C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group

Technical Manager, Climate Change Mitigation

PANEL: FOSTERING COLLABORATION THROUGH CITY NETWORKS TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON COMMON EMISSION REPORTING RULES AND CARBON ACCOUNTING METHODS

Existing city carbon accounting methods and emission scopes making cities’ carbon neutrality goals incomparable. Carbon accounting methodologies and frameworks are a crucial mechanism to ensure that genuine GHG savings are made by cities. The GHG Protocol for Cities serves as a benchmark, but additional Reporting Guidelines are explained and discussed.

Coffee Break @ Solutions Showcase

Ruth Bosse - Freising (Germany)

Co-Founder ARK Climate

Nupur Prothi - ICLEI Europe

Senior Climate Expert

Filip Coenen - Leuven (Belgium)

Financial Architect

Margo Meeuwissen - Klimaatverbond Nederland

Process and Transition Manager

THE CHALLENGES SMALL AND MID-SIZED CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FACE WHEN DEVELOPING A CLIMATE AND SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY

With nearly 2,000 members spread across more than 25 countries, Climate Alliance is the largest European city network dedicated to fair and comprehensive climate action. Our speakers will explain the challenges they face, and how collaboration is a key component especially for smaller cities and municipalities that often lack the staff specialised in developing sustainability strategies.

Mirjam Wolfrum - CDP

Head of Multilevel Governance

Agnes Schönfelder - Stadt Mannheim (Germany)

CEO Climate Action Agency

CDP

CDP is a not-for-profit charity that runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts. Over 1,100 cities already disclose environmental information through CDP-ICLEI Track - the world’s leading city climate reporting platform

Sustainability transformations hinge on data and end-to-end value transparency. The availability and management of accurate, verifiable data is essential to achieving ESG metrics and shared global goals. Cities must not only use tools to record, report, and act on sustainable business data within their operations; they also share it across their networks of suppliers and partners to unlock the potential for decarbonisation at scale.

Lunch Break @ Solutions Showcase

Markku Markkula - European Committee for Regions

Vice President & Helsinki Region, President

Marcel Pirvu - Cluj-Napoca (Romania) 

Circular Economy Specialist

Agnes Schönfelder - Stadt Mannheim (Germany)

CEO Climate Action Agency

Charlotta Porsö - Stockholm (Sweden)

Climate Specialist

THE EU MISSION LABEL AWARD

These cities of all received the EU Mission Label Award, which recognises their plans and actions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. In this session they will present their plans and share their experiences. 

Cities are the source of two-thirds of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Non-profit initiatives ensure credible carbon reporting and empowering climate leaders and networks, reflecting the reporting that cities have already been doing and allowing harmonisation of city data across the globe.

14.15

Einar Bodström - ClimateView

Chief Executive Officer

THEY GET THE BIG PICTURE: HOW MORE THAN 50 CITIES ARE USING AN ONLINE TOOL WHICH HELPS PLANNERS WEIGH COSTS AGAINST CLIMATE AND SOCIAL BENEFITS

Cities account for more than 70% of global CO2 emissions. They are clearly critical to climate action, but they are also complex and highly interconnected systems. In addition, they often lack the tools to plan and manage the transition. 

14.45

Serge de Gheldere - Futureproofed

CEO

KEYNOTE: FROM ROADMAPS TO PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS

Just as a comprehensive bookkeeping software solution is not a guarantee to build a healthy organization, carbon accounting tools do not guarantee a successful decarbonization strategy. 

“Keep your eye on the prize!” Make sure your city embraces the energy transition and capitalizes on short term (commercial and business) advantages, which galvanize the mayor.

Tea Break @ Solutions Showcase

CITY & REGION DEBATE SESSIONS 1 & 2: HOW TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN LEADING CLIMATE ACTION TECHNOLOGY & EXPERTISE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Taking place in a highly intimate and interactive setting, these 4 Debate Sessions will bring together representatives from European regions, cities, municipalities and experts from the climate technology industry to answer the questions above and forge a free-flowing discussion about the requirements, challenges and opportunities that are brought about by the need for cities and regions to address climate action.

CITY & REGION DEBATE SESSIONS 3 & 4: HOW TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN LEADING CLIMATE ACTION TECHNOLOGY & EXPERTISE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTST

Taking place in a highly intimate and interactive setting, these 4 Debate Sessions will bring together representatives from European regions, cities, municipalities and experts from the climate technology industry to answer the questions above and forge a free-flowing discussion about the requirements, challenges and opportunities that are brought about by the need for cities and regions to address climate action.

NETWORK RECEPTION @ SOLUTIONS SHOWCASE