10TH EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE CITIES & TOWNS
Partners
The European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns is made possible thanks to our many partners from all over the world.
Want to become a partner? Contact us at aalborg2024@iclei.org.
Organisers
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of more than 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in 125 countries, we influence sustainability policy and drive local action for low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development. ICLEI Europe provides Members in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and West Asia with a voice on European and international stages, a platform to connect with peers and tools to drive positive environmental, economic and social change. ICLEI Europe works closely with an extended network of local and regional governments and partners on a broad range of topics.
City of Aalborg
Aalborg, a vibrant city in northern Denmark, is known for its rich history, thriving cultural scene, and scenic waterfront. With a population of over 200,000, it boasts charming old town streets and modern architectural marvels. Aalborg places a strong emphasis on sustainability, with initiatives in co-creation, renewable energy, green urban spaces, and much more.
Aalborg is a proud third-time host of the European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns.
Partners
European Committee of the Regions
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is the voice of regions and cities in the European Union (EU). It represents local and regional authorities across the European Union and advises on new laws that have an impact on regions and cities (70% of all EU legislation).
The CoR is a political assembly composed of 329 members and 329 alternates from all EU countries (grouped by political party and headed by the President) who have been elected at local or regional level (for example as Mayors or Presidents of a region). They come to Brussels up to six times a year to debate their opinions on proposed legislation and agree on resolutions for further action by the EU.
CoR members are supported by an administration headed by the Secretary-General.
The European Commission's Intelligent Cities Challenge
The Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC) is one of the European Commission's largest initiatives supporting European cities in their green and digital transitions. ICC delivers cutting-edge knowledge and advisory services to cities and their local economies to address two major challenges: making the transition to a net-zero economic model, while enabling sustainable development for EU citizens.
See The European Commission's Intelligent Cities Challenge's Website
Club of Rome
The Club of Rome is a platform of diverse thought leaders who identify holistic solutions to complex global issues and promote policy initiatives and action to enable humanity to emerge from multiple planetary emergencies.
Creative Denmark
Creative Denmark is a not-for-profit, public-private partnership that creates awareness about Danish creative strongholds internationally and the potential of Danish creativity in solving global challenges.
Google's Environmental Insights Explorer (EIE) empowers thousands of cities and regions with actionable data and insights to reduce global emissions. Using exclusive data sources and modelling capabilities in a freely available platform, EIE helps cities and regions measure emission sources, run analyses, and identify strategies to reduce emissions - creating a foundation for effective action.
Covenant of Mayors
The EU Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy is an initiative supported by the European Commission that brings together thousands of local governments that want to secure a better future for their citizens. By joining the initiative, local authorities voluntarily commit to implementing EU climate and energy objectives.
Earth 4 All
Earth4All is an international initiative to accelerate the systems-change we need for an equitable future on a finite planet. Our analysis combines the best available science with new economic thinking. We found that the next ten years must see the fastest economic transformation in history if we want to steer humanity away from social and ecological catastrophe.
State of Green
State of Green is a not-for-profit, public-private partnership between the Danish government and the country’s three leading business associations (Danish Industry, Green Power Denmark, and the Danish Agriculture and Food Council).
NBS EduWORLD
NBS EduWORLD is a Horizon Europe project at the crossroads between nature-based solutions and education, a forerunner project blending the two topics. The result is a unique consortium bringing together researchers, educators, NBS practitioners, and even sports community members with the common goal of creating engaging and locally relevant educational materials centering the environmental, social, and professional merits of NBS.
The need for NBS experts and other environmental professionals will only grow as the world faces the social, economic, and environmental consequences of climate change and strives to achieve a climate neutral economy. NBS EduWORLD provides educators with the resources to empower and inspire the decision makers and NBS professionals of tomorrow.
NetworkNature
NetworkNature is a resource for the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) community that creates opportunities for local, regional and international cooperation to maximise the impact and spread of NbS. It maintains and adds to a diverse and science-based repository of evidence on NbS, and actively works to strengthen partnerships and foster new relationships around a clear, strategic framework for action. NetworkNature is a Horizon Europe project with six priority themes: biodiversity enhancement and ecosystem restoration; sustainable food systems; zero pollution; climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience; sustainable finance, investment and just transition; and sustainable urban and regional transformation. The platform and project consortium work with a wide range of NbS Horizon projects and selected EU Missions to drive the mainstreaming of NbS in cities and regions.
Udalsarea 2030
Udalsarea 2030 is the Basque network of sustainable municipalities. Its goal is to foster local sustainability and encourage coordination between the different levels of the public administration of the Basque Country: Basque Government, public authorities, Provincial Councils, supramunicipal authorities and local councils. The latter play a particularly important role. Furthermore, its remit includes driving the sustainability action plans and policies of the network's local authorities. Those plans and policies are always aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Procura+ Network
The Procura+ Network is a network of more than 45 European public authorities that connect, exchange and act on sustainable, circular and innovation procurement. Our combined knowledge and experience allows us to provide advice, support and publicity to any public authority that wants to implement sustainable, circular and innovation procurement. The Procura+ Network joins forces to champion sustainable, circular and innovation procurement at the European level.
NetZeroCities
NetZeroCities, a consortium consisting of 34 partners from 27 European countries, manages the EU Cities Mission Platform. Through the service-oriented platform, world-class practitioners support 112 Mission Cities to overcome the current structural, institutional, and cultural barriers they face in order to achieve climate neutrality by 2030.
ALDA
ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy is a global alliance of local and regional authorities and civil society actors working together with a participatory approach for resilient, inclusive and sustainable communities. To promote good governance and citizen participation at the local level in the whole Europe and beyond, ALDA leads a wide range of actions supporting local, national, and international stakeholders in achieving their goals in the fields of European integration, decentralization, human rights, social inclusion, sustainability, civic initiatives and much more. It works with a multistakeholder approach looking at a broad spectrum of the potential resources in the local communities.
Established in 1999 through the initiative of the Council of Europe, ALDA represents a wide network of citizens and local authorities fully committed and engaged to support local democracy and the empowerment of local communities through citizens participation, in Europe and beyond.
Smart Cities Marketplace
The Smart Cities Marketplace is an independent non-commercial initiative funded by the European Commission bringing together cities, industry, SMEs and investors to implement such urban projects and ideas of cities, or city and technical developer consortia. It offers insights in good practice examples of many cities, allowing you to explore which approach might fit your sustainable city project need. As well, it represents a community of experts that helps for up to 30 days in shaping this city project idea to get your plan and business case ready for financing and being presented to investors.
ECOLISE
ECOLISE is the European Network for Community-Led Initiatives on Climate Change and Sustainability. Since 2014, we have been supporting community-led initiatives, their networks and partners to catalyse systemic transformation within and across society.
In ECOLISE, we find hope in the solutions that are being developed by community-led initiatives across Europe and the world addressing the unprecedented ecological, social, economic, and political threats to dignified life on planet Earth. These initiatives encompass inner growth, inclusive approaches to collaboration, governance of the commons, and ecosystem stewardship. We aim to leverage the growing interest in these life-affirming approaches by bringing the demands of community-led initiatives to the EU level.
Port of Aalborg
Port of Aalborg A/S is a limited liability company wholly owned by Aalborg Municipality. The Group employs 100 highly-qualified employees and comprises seven independent subsidiaries, each with its own function.
Green Hub Denmark
Green Hub Denmark is a strong public-private partnership, based in Aalborg, working with green innovation, sustainable business models and large-scale testing in order to mitigate climate challenges. Simultaneously, we contribute to the ambitious goal of the Danish government of reducing the CO2 emissions by 70 pct., attracting further investment and creating more green jobs.
Invest in Aalborg
Invest in Aalborg is the result of an increasingly globalised city that joins forces to ensure one-point-of-contact for individuals looking to expand or relocate a company to Aalborg. They offer easy access to prime location options and local authorities as well as contact to world class researchers and an extensive business network.
Region Nordjylland
Aalborg University
AAU is a leading university in supporting the balanced and sustainable development of the planet. Based on its "Knowledge for the World" strategy, the university works actively and responsibly to contribute to sustainable development through education, research, cooperation, and by reducing the environmental impact of the operation of AAU and by promoting equality and social responsibility.
Thomas Dambo
Thomas Dambo is a world-renowned Danish artist and environmental activist who is celebrated for his imaginative and colossal sculptures made from recycled materials. Specializing in creating enchanting wooden trolls, Thomas Dambo breathes new life into discarded resources, showcasing the boundless potential hidden within our world's waste.
Through community involvement, imaginative designs, storytelling and his own digital treasure map, the more than 150 trolls lure millions of troll hunting families and explorers on an outdoor adventure to explore nature, forests and green spaces while showcasing the boundless potential hidden within our world’s waste.
At this years conference you have the opportunity to be part of the making of a new Thomas Dambo sculpture, as Thomas’ team is running a workshop just outside the conference building. With the help of local school classes, citizens and you they are making a giant magical musical wind chime from locally sourced scrap wood and metal. The windchime will become part of a new troll which Thomas Dambo will install in the woods outside of Aalborg in the near future. So if you feel like taking part in the next chapter of the evergoing adventure about the trolls go participate in the workshop, and have a chat with Thomas Dambo's team.
COM4LGD (Communities for Local Green Deals)
The COM4LGD project, funded by the European Commission's CERV Programme, addresses the intersection of the climate crisis and EU social-political polarization by focusing on local community development and cooperation between citizens and governments across all 27 member states. Its goals are to strengthen a transnational grassroots network, enhance accountability of policymakers to communities, empower citizens in sustainability efforts, and promote gender equality as key to a just and sustainable future.
Interwoven with the ESCT, ICLEI Europe, through COM4LGD, is offering a training for European local governments, which aims to give them the tools and confidence to engage their residents in creating sustainable futures. Participants will have the chance to get to know like minded local government staff from across Europe, learn from each other and from existing methodologies and resources for equitable sustainability transitions.
For questions about the training contact sophia.silverton@iclei.org
Aalborg Airport
At Aalborg Airport, the journey towards a sustainable transition is initiated, through the international carbon management program Airport Carbon Accrediation, where a climate-friendly focus is set on the entire journey – from the parking lot to the boarding stairs.
Whether a passenger takes the car or train to the airport, goes to a business meeting in Copenhagen or spends a week in the sun on Mallorca, the goal is to become a fully CO2-neutral airport – based on the UN's 17 global goals for sustainable development and accrediation through Airport Council International Europe's AIRPORT CARBON ACCREDIATION PROGRAM.
Aalborg Utility Company
Aalborg Utility Company is a multi-supply company that supplies heat, gas, water and handles wastewater for residents of Aalborg Municipality and the surrounding area. In addition, the company produces electricity for the whole of Denmark and delivers cooling to business customers in Aalborg.
Danske Bank
For more than 150 years, Danske Bank has helped enable growth and development in society. We have developed in tandem with the societies we are part of, and our advisory services, expertise and financial solutions have helped individuals, families, businesses and organisations to realise their ambitions and potential. With long-term sustainable development as our ambition, we will continue to work every day to be the best possible bank, for the benefit of our customers, employees, shareholders and the societies we are part of.
Nordværk
Nordværk is a waste company based in North Jutland with ambitions for future waste management and resource utilization - for the benefit of the whole of North Jutland. Nordværk is Denmark's fourth largest waste company and is owned by six North Jutland municipalities.
Media Partnerships
Ciudad Sostenible
The magazine CIUDAD SOSTENIBLE is a four-monthly paper publication dedicated to sustainable development in urban environments and all related aspects, such as climate change, energy, Agenda 2030, urban planning, building, circular economy, urban nature, sustainable mobility, etc. Its website also has a news channel on urban issues.
REVOLVE
Established in 2010, REVOLVE inspires climate action by keeping you informed about the circular economy, ecosystem restoration, the energy transition, sustainable mobility and water resources. REVOLVE's quarterly magazine is an award-winning publication providing different angles on sustainability. Perspective is everything and everything is changing.
EYS Municipales
With 41 years of presence in the sector and more than 200 issues published, Equipamiento y Servicios Municipales is the most recognized publication in the professional field of public management. In each issue of the magazine, we publish articles and reports of the highest relevance and relevance written by the most important professionals of the field of management and equipment for municipalities. In addition to interviews and forums of the main players in the sector.
TheMayor.eu
Launched in 2017, TheMayor.EU is a web portal designed to bridge the gap between European citizens, local governments, and EU institutions. It fosters collaboration by sharing successful urban and local initiatives and best practices on a variety of issues, such as sustainability, social development and digital transformation. Recognized for its contribution to transparency, TheMayor.EU is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the present and the future of European cities and regions.
Sustain Europe
Sustain Europe is a semiannual magazine and website promoting responsible solutions to ensure long-term climate protection. Covering sustainable travel, sustainable MICE, business affairs, foreign direct investment, energy matters, and sustainable development. Our vision is of a prosperous and sustainable Europe: one which puts people and planet first.
Brussels Times
Established in 1965, The Brussels Times is today Belgium’s largest daily news media in English, with over 2 million visits per month. We provide expats, foreigners and internationally oriented Belgians with continuous high quality coverage of Belgian news, EU Affairs and opinion pieces.
Open Access Government
Open Access Government produces compelling and informative news, publications, eBooks, and academic research articles for the public and private sector looking at health, diseases & conditions, workplace, research & innovation, digital transformation, government policy, environment, agriculture, energy, transport and more.
EURACTIV
Euractiv is a leading policy media in the EU affairs market. By combining expert EU policy analysis across eight thematic hubs, and impactful reach amongst an influential audience, we hold a unique position in the European media landscape. Euractiv brings complex policy discussions to the attention of a wider ecosystem of stakeholders in Brussels and across 10 other European capitals. Our commitment as a media is to give a voice to all sides of the debate. By involving policy-makers, the private sector and civil society communities in all our activities - be it editorial coverage or event organisation - we have earned the reputation of a constructive and inclusive facilitator that seeks to move policy discussions forward.
Cities Today
Cities Today is the leading news platform on urban mobility and innovation, reaching an international audience of city leaders.
Foresight
FORESIGHT Climate & Energy offers audio journalism that provides the big picture of the global energy transition. In just 15 minutes, we help you look beyond your sector, keeping you updated on the most essential global decarbonisation developments. With our app-based, hands-free format, gaining expert insights into energy's complex and interconnected future has never been easier to fit into your daily routine.
Organisers
Partners
Media Partnerships