LDnet Webinar (23.4.2025) – “EU Climate neutral cities by 2050, a serious challenge for European cities – Summary, presentations, recording

This event took place online on 23 April 2025 as part of the 2025 series of LDnet webinars. It was led by Maria João Filgueiras Rauch and was attended by some 40 participants. The summary of the proceedings is available below together with links to the presentations and the recording of the event.

EU Climate neutral cities by 2050, a serious challenge for European cities! How to respond to this challenge in a successful way?

Background

The EU aims to be climate-neutral by 2050 – an economy with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, clearly related with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”. This objective is at the heart of the European Green Deal and is a legally binding target thanks to the European Climate Law. Cities are at the forefront of this challenge, in line with SDG 11 “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”. The success in implementing the SDG can be achieved by strengthening the existing interactions and promoting the necessary transformations beginning with different mindsets, different approaches and different technologies.

This webinar invites the participants to visit some initiatives aiming to contribute to this objective. Two examples of cities that are working on the mobility policies aiming at sustainability through addressing the education of young people and their mobility habitudes, but also creating concepts of new mobility sustainable models. These models aim to change the mindset through involvement and participation and by using new available technologies.

Only in this way it is possible to keep Europe as one of the better places to live. The presented achievements aim to inspire other European Cities to keep active in acting for a carbon-neutral Europe, therefore contributing to saving the Planet.

Presentations

After opening words from the facilitator, John Barimo, University of Cork and SDSN Ireland Manager, a series of presentations followed and are summarised below.

Sustainability and Climate Action in Small and Medium-Sized Cities: Lessons from Guimarães – by Isabel Loureiro

Key insights from a presentation by Isabel Maria Pereira Leite Freitas Loureiro, coordinator of Guimarães 2030 Mission Structure, during a recent sustainability webinar. Drawing on the decade-long climate journey of Guimarães, Portugal, Loureiro highlighted the critical role that small and medium-sized cities can play in addressing climate change and promoting sustainability. Collective action from these cities can create a major cumulative impact on climate goals.  Her remarks centred on the necessity of leadership, political consensus, community engagement, and integrated planning to drive long-term environmental transformation.  Guimarães’ transformation over the past decade demonstrates how even smaller cities can become climate leaders through strategic leadership, participatory planning, and integrated climate management. By aligning political, civic, and technical efforts, the city has created a model that can inspire similar-sized cities across Europe and beyond.  The success of Guimarães reinforces a broader truth: sustainable futures begin at the local level—and with the right structure and vision, even the smallest cities can have a global impact.

The full presentation will be available shortly.

AYR Platform for Sustainable Urban Mobility – by Diogo Fernandes Gonçalves

Diogo Fernandes Gonçalves, CEiiA, introduced the AYR Platform, an innovative tool developed by CEiiA to support cities in accelerating decarbonization through sustainable mobility solutions. With a background in biomedical engineering and experience managing mobility and engineering projects at CEiiA in Porto. Diego discussed how the platform promotes behavioural change and creates localized carbon markets through real-time carbon savings tracking and tokenization.  The AYR Platform represents a scalable, tech-enabled solution for promoting sustainable urban mobility. By combining real-time data collection, carbon valuation, behavioural incentives, and local partnerships, AYR empowers both individuals and cities to take tangible steps toward climate neutrality.

It turns carbon avoidance into a trackable, tradable, and local value, fostering a circular sustainability ecosystem and unlocking the potential of behavioral change as a core component of climate action.

For the full presentation click below

Valencia as the EU Green Capital – A Mobility and Sustainability Showcase – by Antonio Garcia

Valencia was awarded the 2024 European Green Capital designation. The city is leveraging this recognition to deepen its green strategies and accelerate progress toward climate neutrality by 2030 (ahead of the EU’s 2050 target).  Valencia’s transformation into a European Green Capital emphasized urban mobility, green infrastructure, and public engagement.  Antonio’s presentation framed the city’s achievements and ongoing goals in a broader European context of sustainability, showcasing Valencia as both a model and a learning partner for other cities.  Valencia exemplifies how urban sustainability, particularly through green mobility and public space, can be implemented effectively.  The city’s approach combines infrastructure, technology, behaviour change, and citizen empowerment.  Valencia is not only achieving its goals but also serving as a model for other cities striving to meet EU climate targets.

For the full presentation click below

Discussion and summary

Each presentation was followed by Q&A and a general discussion closed the meeting. The moderator, John Barimo, summed up, as follows:

• After the Guimarães mayor’s election in 2013, a landscape laboratory was created with local universities to investigate environmental issues, especially polluted rivers.

• Cities must align climate neutrality with economic development, especially with industrial sectors.
• Embedding environmental values in school curricula to foster generational change.

• The AYR platform can include walking in its mobility data tracking.  Currently, the platform does not account for its own carbon emissions.

• Failing to invest in sustainability is ultimately more costly (in health, climate, etc.).

• All panellists noted the challenge of motivating people to embrace change despite its importance.
• Passion and belief in the mission are essential to making cities more sustainable.

• There is a collective responsibility and active citizen participation in the sustainability transition.

The full recording of the webinar is available HERE.