Publications & tools

Latest ( 1 - 9 from 241 )

Local Alliance Briefing: Unlocking the Potential of Local and Regional Governments in the Social Climate Fund

This exclusive report from eight major European local and regional government networks including ICLEI reveals that vulnerable households in the EU are at risk of being underserved by the €86 billion Social Climate Fund (SCF) due to inadequate consultation of local and regional governments by national governments.

Policy Brief: Transforming Europe’s building stock for a fair, affordable, climate-neutral future

This policy brief outlines the major challenges associated with the transformation of European building stock from local governments and authorities’ perspective, in addition to discussing current legislation in place. The brief will then present suggestions to address these challenges and turn the EU building stock from a major roadblock to a driving force for a climate-neutral, fair and sustainable future.

Case Study Guides on Shared Actions for the Green Deal

Collecting experience from 24 local actions across Europe to highlight how communities can help advance European Green Deal objectives, this guide presents concrete ideas on different topics of the European Green Deal.

KeepCool: Strategic and Sustainable Cooling Planning and Advocacy for Local Governments

Europe's climate is changing at a disturbing rate. Data from the World Meteorological Organization1 reveals the continent is warming twice as fast as the global average. This significant increase highlights the urgency of addressing climate change and implementing effective mitigation strategies.
The European Green Deal and the ambitious "Fit for 55" package highlight a crucial fact: decarbonizing the way we cool and heat our buildings is essential for a successful energy transition. Unless we ...

Principles of Cooling Cities

As Europe faces the growing challenges of climate change, the urgency to address rising urban temperatures is clear. Cities, home to most Europeans, are at the forefront, grappling with the urban heat island effect, extreme heatwaves, and increasing related energy consumption. To create resilient, equitable, and climate-neutral cities, we must adopt a transformative approach. This document builds on the Aalborg Conditions which is the strategic vision put out by ICLEI Europe during the 10th Euro...
Knowlegde brief

Resource-Oriented Sanitation: Closing the Gap Between Fork and Farm for Circular Nutrient Flows

This briefing note explores resource-oriented sanitation as a solution to the disruption of nutrient cycles, water pollution, and climate change. It highlights the potential of recovering and reusing nutrients from human sanitary waste, addressing key pillars of the European Green Deal such as climate neutrality, sustainable food production, and zero pollution. The note calls for adapting wastewater policy frameworks, creating markets for recycled nutrients, and aligning practices with circular ...
Letters and Statements

From local and regional authorities to EU Policy Makers: One/Planetary Health Approach for a Sustainable Future

We, the undersigned cities, call upon the European Union policymakers to adopt and champion a One/Planetary Health approach in environmental policies and strategies. We urge the European Union to embed nature-based solutions, public health priorities, and democratic governance into the core of all EU legislation and programs, ensuring a holistic, resilient, and equitable future for all.
Knowlegde brief

Enhancing Industrial(-Urban) Symbiosis at the local scale

The aim of this briefing note is to provide local and regional authorities with insights on how to support the development of Industrial(-Urban) Symbiosis initiatives in their territory, through case studies and experience sharing. In addition to the knowledge developed by participating in several projects, data on case studies has been collected via desk research and interviews with representatives of local and regional authorities and facilitators of I(-U)S hubs.
ICLEI is involved in several ...

ICLEI Europe’s Position Paper on the EU’s 2040 Climate Target

In February 2024, the European Commission proposed an EU-wide 90% net emission reduction target by 2040, following the recommendation from the European Scientific Advisory Body on Climate Change (ESABCC) to set a 2040 climate target of 90- 95% emission reductions. While presenting the 2040 target in the European Parliament, Commissioner Hoekstra highlighted the need for a dialogue and an extensive outreach to discuss how to reach this crucial intermediary target of 2040.
We welcome the Commissi...