The climate challenge will be won or lost at the local and regional level. As we enter this new legislative period, cities need the right framework conditions at the national and European levels to build a climate-neutral and competitive Europe. This aligns with President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen's key ask to Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President-Designate for Cohesion and Reforms to harness the potential of cities as engines of innovation, growth, and competitiveness. This would be done by emphasising the need for supportive policy environments that enhance city capabilities, such as upskilling, in these areas.

30 Years of Sustainable Urban Development

This year’s 10th Edition of the European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns (ESCT) set the stage for stronger cooperation between the EU, national and local levels to fast track Europe’s transition to climate neutrality. Ahead of the event, Mayor of Aalborg (Denmark) and Vice President of ICLEI Europe Lasse Frimand Jensen said, “In Aalborg, we don’t wait for solutions — we create them together. Connecting communities across different contexts accelerates the green transition. Cities must lead, and I’m proud Aalborg is hosting this 10th edition of the conference.”

The Aalborg Conditions, launched at the event, mark a key moment in Europe's sustainable cities movement, reflecting 30 years of progress, from the Aalborg Charter (1994) and Aalborg Commitments (2004). They outline the need for integrated climate and sustainability strategies across Europe, involving hundreds of European cities. Such policies are necessary to support local governments in creating markets for clean industries and jobs for people.

As President von der Leyen makes clear that an “ambitious policy agenda for cities” is needed during her new European Commission term, the Aalborg Conditions provide a source of concrete inspiration in this regard. A visionary policy that can guide the future of European cities, showcasing a successful, long-term commitment to urban sustainability.

The Aalborg Conditions: A framework for action

Through policy shifts that enable Shared Governance, Integrated Finance, and a Cohesive Transition, local governments can be empowered to lead the democratic transformation towards a climate-neutral, equitable, and resilient Europe.

The Aalborg Conditions call for:

• Shared Governance, ensuring a local seat at all tables, continuous dialogue and exchange across levels of governance and thinking beyond silos, as climate change knows no geographic limits.
• Integrated Finance, underlining the need for direct access to financing, large-scale and long-term financing frameworks for cities, and better aligned funding programmes.
• A Cohesive Transition using clear and transparent messaging around the rapid transformation needed to reach climate neutrality, the need to reskill, and ensure that citizens feel like actors, rather than observers, in the climate transition.

These Conditions underscore the necessity of an ambitious policy agenda that includes comprehensive frameworks for governance and finance, thus ensuring cities can effectively contribute to and lead in achieving overarching EU goals related to housing, climate action, digitalisation, mobility, social inclusion, and equality.

Endorse the Aalborg Conditions

Drawing on the historical success and collective experience of hundreds of European cities, the Aalborg Conditions can serve as a foundational element of the proposed ‘ambitious’ policy agenda for cities. Taking Ursula von der Leyen’s vision, the principles outlined in the Aalborg Conditions can be expanded into a comprehensive policy framework that addresses the multiple challenges cities face today, ensuring they remain at the forefront of Europe's pursuit of a sustainable, inclusive, and innovative future.

"The Aalborg Conditions mark a pivotal moment in Europe's sustainable cities movement, reflecting 30 years of progress. In order to implement their advanced transformative action plans, cities need the right framework conditions. By advancing Shared Governance, Integrated Finance, and a Cohesive Transition, we ask for a way forward that empowers local governments to lead the democratic transformation towards a climate-neutral, equitable, and resilient Europe," said Wolfgang Teubner, Regional Director at ICLEI Europe - Local Governments for Sustainability.

ICLEI Europe is directly calling on mayors, organisations and individuals to commit to the principles and practices outlined in the Aalborg Conditions.

Relive highlights from the 10th ESCT here.