With 2023 set to be the hottest year on record, the role of local governments in adapting to climate change becomes increasingly vital. Local governments are key to implementing policies, driving sustainability initiatives, and engaging communities. These efforts are enhanced when knowledge and best practices are shared among cities, organisations and civil society groups.
To enable such collaboration at the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC), ICLEI Europe has partnered with the Fira de Barcelona to bring together its Member cities, projects on sustainable mobility and green and digital transformation. ICLEI will also facilitate matchmaking events at the Smart Cities Marketplace at a joint booth of EU-funded initiatives as well as an Agora session on Climate and Nature Data Disclosure Towards a Nature-Positive Economy on 8 November 2023, 13:45-14:30 CEST. In the Central Agora of the Expo, the session aims to underscore the significance of climate and nature data disclosure in managing climate risks effectively at a local level. This information will help cities monitor and advance their climate and environmental targets and access new sources of finance. Experts from ICLEI will also contribute to a session on tackling interconnected urban challenges, including the energy transition or food insecurity. The session titled ‘How Can Cities Fulfill their Net-zero Ambitions?’ will feature Alis-Daniela Torres, Head of Green and Digital Transformation at ICLEI Europe, and be hosted on 7 November, 15:40 CEST.
Highlighting the role of green digital technologies, ICLEI Europe will showcase its Action Fund projects. These projects, in partnership with Google.org, advance data-driven climate and environmental action through the use of various data sources. They are aimed at helping local governments in Europe to improve environmental quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and adapt to the effects of climate change.
In addition, ICLEI will showcase several case studies on the use of the Google Environmental Insights Explorer tool data sources. We will delve into the integration of AI and technology as the next frontier for climate action. Real-world cases will illustrate how AI is leveraged for climate adaptation and mitigation projects, while experts and city representatives will share insights, addressing the challenges and opportunities in employing AI and data-driven approaches for enhanced climate action.
As part of the EU Smart Cities Marketplace, ICLEI is supporting sessions at the joint EU representation booth throughout the conference with participation from different EU Initiatives and Projects, including the Covenant of Mayors, CIVITAS, the European City Facility, Re-Value, EXCESS, and NetZeroCities.
This partnership between ICLEI Europe and the SCEWC is highly beneficial for local governments and participants attending the Expo. It offers a unique opportunity for local authorities to access expert knowledge and best practices in sustainability, climate action, and smart city solutions. It showcases practical, successful case studies, inspiring participants to adopt similar initiatives and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.
Do visit our stand to speak with our experts. Check out the agenda here to attend our Agora session. To receive a 25% discount for any category of passes, access the VISITOR AREA, introduce the code AXFLYZSR and validate.