By 2030, cities will play a pivotal role in climate action – especially in Europe, where local governments are striving for the EU Green Deal’s 55% emissions reduction. Two central issues that will play a role in meeting this goal are the green digital transition and the energy transition, particularly in light of the war in Ukraine. Today at COP28, these topics were brought forth in key sessions organised by ICLEI Europe.

In a session entitled “Climate Action in the Digital Age: Data-driven Solutions for a Greener Future”, cities and organisations shared their experience demonstrating how digital technologies such as AI are key to achieving climate neutrality and bolstering climate resilience on a local level. Speakers emphasised the need for frequent collection, organisation, affordability and accessibility of high-quality data collected through various sources to enhance climate action.

ICLEI Member Berlin’s (Germany) data-driven approach to pop-up bike lanes demonstrates the transformative power of data in influencing policy decisions. Using official data successfully led to reduced traffic congestion, increased bicycle usage, and a shift towards non-motorised options. ICLEI Member Glasgow (Scotland) will inform their sustainable mobility and air pollution policies via different sources of data and research via the ICLEI Action Fund project GEMINOA.

The energy transition reflects another topic which impacts the daily lives of communities across Europe as they strive to meet the EU Green Deal targets. The unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine has prompted cities in Ukraine and across Europe to rethink their energy futures and the energy landscapes that enhance their energy security. Local, national and regional governments in Ukraine play a crucial role in ensuring, to the extent possible, deeper resilience of existing local infrastructure and city planning by focusing on developing decentralised energy solutions, as well to plan for fast and just reconstruction for the aftermath of the war.

In a session entitled, “Decentralised power: Cities rethinking the future of energy in Ukraine and beyond”, Ukrainian city leaders, municipal leaders from across Europe, and experts from city networks discussed potential case studies for decentralised solutions for energy, climate and adaptation that can benefit the Ukrainian case.

Representatives from Ukrainian cities shared the actions they are taking to secure their energy future. In Lviv, for example they are developing resilient energy generation, especially for key public infrastructures such as in the Unbroken Hospital project. In Kyiv, emergency service exercises have been strengthened to prepare both for climate scenarios and war time.

Looking at the larger European landscape, European municipal leaders shared how the war in Ukraine is reshaping their approach to energy security. Anna Lisa Boni, Deputy Mayor from City of Bologna (Italy) shared how the war in Ukraine has represented a wakeup call for energy security and need of decentralised production, including the phase out from the dependency from fossil fuels. Niina Ratilainen, City Councillor from ICLEI Member Turku (Finland) reiterated this sentiment, emphasising that energy decentralisation is a key step towards achieving a fossil free future and that courage and leadership of Ukrainian cities is a cornerstone of that.

Discussions such as these indicate ICLEI’s commitment to leveraging data-driven climate action and decentralised energy solutions in its work with cities to drive a more sustainable and just future for all.