Publications & tools

Latest ( 1 - 9 from 278 )

Policy brief
Published: 2025

Circular Cities Frontrunner Group Policy Brief on Accelerating the Circular Economy for a Prosperous and Competitive Europe

This policy brief supported by over 40 cities and networks, outlines nine proposals from 16 European circular frontrunner cities to strengthen EU circular economy policy. It is structured around three priorities: raising circular ambition, enabling local action and mobilising economic instruments. The brief draws on city experiences to offer practical recommendations and is intended to support the Circular Economy Act, Clean Industrial Deal and related EU policy processes.
Letters and statements
Published: 2025

EU Mayors call for an ambitious domestic EU 2040 climate target

In a powerful show of unity, cities, towns, regions and major local government networks, including ICLEI Europe, Eurocities, C40 and CEMR, call on the European Commission to adopt a binding 2040 climate target rooted in science and ambition in a joint letter. Continuing the journey and maintaining EU ambitions is a requirement for cities to lead Europe’s climate transition with clarity and trust.
Press release
Published: 2025

European Urban Resilience Forum spotlights local leadership for a future-proof Europe

As Europe faces an escalating climate crisis with 70% of its population living in cities, the 12th European Urban Resilience Forum (EURESFO) concluded in Rotterdam with a clear message: local leadership is driving the transformation needed for a climate-resilient future, but systemic support across all governance levels is essential to scale these solutions. 
Handbook / Guide
Published: 2025

Feeding people, not landfills: using social norms to tackle food waste in cities

This practical guidance, developed by ICLEI and CSCP as part of the CHORIZO Horizon Europe project, supports local governments in reducing food waste by working with social norms. Drawing on behavioural science and city case studies, the document outlines an 8-step method to plan, implement and evaluate interventions. It highlights how unwritten rules and shared behaviours influence food waste, and offers cities tools to harness these dynamics in areas such as procurement, public awareness, wast...

Grenoble Wins 2025 Local Sustainability Award, with Vilnius and Barcelona recognised as standout finalists

ICLEI Europe and its partners - the Bertelsmann Stiftung Foundation, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), the City of Aalborg, and the European Investment Bank (EIB) - proudly announced today the city of Grenoble, France, as the winner of the Local Sustainability Award 2025 for its innovative Breath of Schools project.
From a pool of almost 60 applications coming from 17 European countries, the award recognised the remarkable efforts of the two other finalists: Vilni...

Towards a new era of genuine shared governance in Europe

In this shared letter, mayors and regional leaders from over 80 cities, towns and regions and 12 local and regional government networks across Europe are calling for a new era in EU governance that recognises local and regional governments as essential partners in shaping Europe's future.

Local Governments still left out of national Social Climate Plans

With the deadline near, Local Governments still left out of national Social Climate Plans. This Policy Brief is a follow up to the original survey conducted by the Local Alliance, including ICLEI Europe, confirming a lack of engagement of local and regional governments in the design of national plans, despite legal obligations. 
The EU Social Climate Fund (SCF), designed to mitigate the social impacts of the new Emissions Trading System (ETS2) – that extends carbon pricing to additio...
Handbook / Guide
Published: 2025

Mobility as a Right (MaaR) Conceptual Framework and Practical Guidelines

This practitioner‘s guide introduces Mobility as a Right (MaaR) as a transformative approach to transport planning that recognises mobility as a fundamental enabler of economic and social participation. Built upon decades of work on passenger rights and social inclusion, MaaR offers transport practitioners a framework to create more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive mobility systems across Europe.
Press release
Published: 2025

100+ European Cities, Regions and Networks Call for Stronger Role in EU Governance

Mayors and regional leaders from more than 100 cities, regions and networks are joining forces to call for a new era in EU governance that recognises local and regional authorities as essential partners in shaping Europe's future.