European cities and businesses are taking the lead in Europe’s transition to a greener, cleaner, fairer, and more competitive economy.
At the Intelligent Cities Challenge Conference & Mayors – Business Forum (5-6 March, Brussels), 88 cities from 26 countries—including 14 ICLEI members—joined forces with 400+ SMEs, industry leaders, and policymakers to strengthen Europe’s clean industrial future. With over 200 Local Green Deals (LGDs) signed, cities are proving that economic progress and climate action go hand in hand. The event reaffirmed cities' role in climate neutrality, digital transformation, and industrial growth.
Through the Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC), local governments have played a crucial role in implementing the Green Deal. Cities are using green public procurement, clean tech investments, and circular economy strategies to strengthen local industries and create high-quality jobs. Public-private partnership is key to making the Clean Industrial Deal work, ensuring that cities can scale clean energy, modernise transport, and boost competitiveness.
ICLEI Members such as Mannheim (Germany) and Pescara (Italy) are examples of successful city-business collaboration. Since the Mannheim Message in 2020, the city has signed 200 LGDs and has been fully incorporating the LGD vision in their administration to make sure they have all stakeholders participating in the effort to localise the EU ambition for greener and more competitive territories.
For Pescara, a territorial approach that values local specificities and favors targeted investments is essential. The city has started a close collaboration and signed LGDs with two companies from the manufacturing and energy sector, Angelini Technologies - FAMECCANICA and Walter Tosto S.p.A. Their synergy proves that industry plays a crucial role in reaching beyond the 30% emissions reductions that cities can control directly.
To maintain momentum, the forum’s discussions called for more investment in clean industries, easier access to funding, and targeted workforce training. Public-private collaboration is key, ensuring that cities can modernise infrastructure, strengthen local industries, and create high-quality jobs. The conference also emphasised the need to align city, national, and EU policies to ensure industrial transformation benefits all regions.
As Dana Eleftheriadou, Head of Cities and Proximity Team at DG GROW, stated: “ICC is only the beginning; we need to keep driving sustainable change.” Cities and businesses will continue working together to ensure Europe’s industrial transformation and shape a resilient, green, and competitive Europe that leaves no one behind.
To learn more about ICLEI Europe’s position on the Clean Industrial Deal and the role of cities and regions in the EU competitiveness agenda, click here and here.
Explore our position on the EU’s 2040 Climate Target here.