Climate Leadership Across Europe: Driving Local Actions towards Climate Neutrality

The REMARKABLE Climate Leaders project, supported by the EU’s Horizon 2020 initiative, has made significant strides in advancing climate leadership across Europe. This policy brief discusses the project’s success in empowering local leaders, facilitating resource access, and fostering cross-border collaboration, all critical for accelerating climate neutrality efforts. By focusing on capacity building, community engagement, and resource allocation, REMARKABLE demonstrates the transformative power of local leadership in the EU’s climate agenda.

Building Capacity for Climate Leadership

Capacity building is a core component of REMARKABLE’s strategy, focusing on equipping local leaders with the skills and resources needed for effective climate action. Through workshops, training sessions, and technical support, the project enhances leaders’ abilities to develop and implement sustainable projects. For example, workshops in Ireland by the Tipperary Energy Agency (TEA) provided insights into biomethane and solar energy pathways, encouraging leaders to integrate these into local climate plans.

Similarly, in Sweden, the North Sweden Energy Agency (EKNorr) has conducted comprehensive sessions to foster municipal climate action. These sessions emphasize identifying climate leaders, engaging communities, and creating actionable climate roadmaps. By sharing best practices and EU-wide knowledge, local leaders gain the technical confidence to advocate for climate investments and manage projects tailored to their regions’ needs.

Engagement and Collaboration Across Borders

Raising community awareness and encouraging collaboration between regions is essential for sustainable climate leadership. REMARKABLE has succeeded in creating platforms for peer learning and exchange among local leaders, fostering a supportive environment for knowledge-sharing. Initiatives like the “Elus pour Agir” network in France have connected thousands of representatives, amplifying collaborative efforts and aligning local actions with national and EU goals.

In Croatia, the North-West Croatia Regional Energy Agency (REGEA) has engaged citizens as active participants, integrating climate mitigation measures directly into community spatial plans. This participatory approach fosters a sense of ownership and empowers residents to support and contribute to climate neutrality goals.

Streamlined Resource Access and Funding

Access to resources and funding remains one of the biggest challenges for municipalities in implementing climate-neutral strategies. REMARKABLE addresses this through its one-stop-shop models and strategic support services, which guide local governments through regulatory landscapes, financial planning, and investment strategies. For instance, in Slovenia, the Energy and Climate Agency of Podravje (ENERGAP) offers tailored support for accessing public and private funding, making project implementation more feasible.

Irish municipalities also underscore the importance of continuous financial support, stressing the need for both EU and national funds to support significant climate actions like retrofitting. REMARKABLE encourages developing local funding models to meet these goals, helping communities attract private investments while aligning with regional sustainability strategies.

Insights from Ethnographic Research

Ethnographic research within REMARKABLE reveals that local climate leadership thrives when leaders receive comprehensive, targeted support. Leaders benefit significantly from programs offering not only technical assistance but also skills training in media and communication, which are essential for engaging citizens and stakeholders. By addressing these needs, REMARKABLE helps leaders bridge the gap between community-driven initiatives and broader climate policies.

Policy Recommendations for Enhanced Climate Leadership

To build on its successes, REMARKABLE has formulated several policy recommendations:

1. Expand Leadership Programs: A robust framework for local decision-makers is essential, with increased EU funding to support workshops, capacity building, and advisory services.
2. Showcase Local Successes: Raising visibility for successful local initiatives helps demonstrate that climate neutrality is achievable, motivating broader participation.
3. Foster Multilevel Governance Collaboration: Aligning regional, national, and EU goals with local actions is crucial. Multilevel governance structures can support the seamless implementation of climate projects.
4. Allocate Resources for Climate Facilitators: Specialized profiles like climate facilitators can support municipalities in planning and executing climate actions effectively.
5. Support Participatory Governance: Encouraging citizen involvement and feedback during climate project assessments fosters a sense of communal investment and ensures that policies reflect local priorities.

Conclusion

The REMARKABLE project highlights the importance of empowering local leaders with the skills, resources, and networks needed to drive effective climate action. Through capacity building, community engagement, and strategic collaboration, REMARKABLE has laid the foundation for a comprehensive, bottom-up approach to achieving climate neutrality across Europe. By reinforcing the connection between grassroots initiatives and top-level climate policies, Europe is better equipped to meet its climate goals and foster a resilient, sustainable future.