When ICLEI Member Grenoble (France) hosted its 5th Biennale des Villes en Transition in partnership with ICLEI Europe, the city showcased more than climate ambition - it revealed how the Donut Economics model is shaping its holistic urban transformation.

At the centre of the Biennale was Grenoble 2040, the city’s initiative to become climate-neutral in the next 15 years. The strategy is based on the Donut Economics approach, a set of new economic concepts and practices with the aim that all residents can thrive within the planet’s ecological limits. The city has since experimented with integrating the principles in urban development practices, as a tool for data visualisation, decision-making, and citizen engagement. Thereby, Grenoble offers a replicable model for other cities navigating the twin crises of climate breakdown and inequality.

ICLEI Europe partnered with Grenoble to co-organise the Biennale’s international days, which gathered mayors, experts, and civil society from across Europe and beyond. In a roundtable with city leaders from Essen (Germany), Alzira (Spain), Brazzaville (DR Congo) and ICLEI Member Guimarães (Portugal), participants discussed how justice, culture and citizen engagement are critical to sustainable transition.

This was echoed in a workshop on citizen engagement for climate adaptation, co-led by ICLEI and the Adaptation AGORA project. Case studies from Grenoble, Waterford and Alzira highlighted the importance of working with trusted community groups to reach marginalised residents and build resilience from the ground up.

Grenoble’s bold initiative demonstrates how social justice, environmental sustainability and democratic activation can go hand-in-hand in urban transformations, resonating with ICLEI’s Justice, Equity and Democracy priorities. It offers inspiration for cities looking to act decisively - and inclusively - in the face of global challenges.

Get inspired by Grenoble’s experience and discover how your city can apply Donut thinking.