Digital tools have the potential to accelerate urban climate action - when they are grounded in strong local partnerships and supported by open, high-quality data. This is the key insight emerging from the ICLEI Action Fund 2.0 projects in Barcelona (Spain), Rome (Italy), Stockholm (Sweden), Dortmund (Germany), Rotterdam (The Netherlands), and Glasgow (United Kingdom).

Since 2023, seven projects have been developing data-driven and digital tools ranging from solar rooftop potential maps to AI chatbots for citizen engagement and urban heat visualisations. The tools that gain traction and deliver impact are those co-designed with municipalities, local communities, and researchers from the outset, and aligned with existing city strategies.

In two projects in the city of Dortmund, city representatives were involved from the very beginning to ensure that the developed tools - a sensor network and a nowcasting service for thermal comfort in one, and a 3D heat map and 3D shade map in the other - were shaped by the city’s actual needs. Early involvement also facilitated the integration of these tools into existing city structures and planning processes.

The projects further demonstrate that open access to standardised, high-quality datasets helps scale such tools to other cities. Nonetheless, several challenges remain: Fragmented governance, data privacy concerns, and unstable funding continue to limit broader adoption.

To address these barriers, project teams are embedding tools within urban planning processes, designing with end users in mind, and fostering trust through transparent communication. These approaches help ensure that the tools are not merely pilot projects, but practical and replicable climate solutions for the long term.

The recently launched Action Fund projects in Greece signal growing momentum for digital climate tools rooted in real local needs supported by ICLEI Europe’s ongoing work in connecting, advising, and amplifying city-led innovation.

To learn more about the projects that have been funded by the ICLEI Action Fund, visit the official website or contact the team at ICLEI Europe directly.