Belgian EU Presidency Conference 2024: Local Leaders Unite for Climate Neutrality

The high-level conference Translating the Green Deal into Local Action is coming, taking place in Brussels on the 15th of March 2024.  The event is gathering 550 local and regional leaders to support the Green Deal and the Covenant of Mayors’ vision of a climate-neutral Europe. Timed perfectly during the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2024 and just before the EU elections, this conference is poised to send a clear message to European policymakers for the post-2024 era.

Fit for 55 local solutions: How close are we to climate neutrality?

At the heart of the conference is a dedicated session, focusing on the concrete realities faced by front-running municipalities and regions, exploring pathways toward climate neutrality. Leaders will showcase ready-to-replicate approaches and integrated solutions that can transform the Green Deal into a tangible reality.

The objectives of the session are clear:

1. Concrete realities of front-running municipalities and regions: Participants will engage in discussions that shed light on the strategies employed by leading municipalities and regions on the path to climate neutrality.
2. Ready-to-replicate approaches: The session will feature presentations and discussions on solutions that are ready for replication, emphasizing the role of local and regional ecosystems.
3. Drivers for energy and climate transformation: Case studies will highlight the factors driving energy and climate transformation at the local and regional levels.
4. Enabling EU goals through energy agencies: The discussion will focus on how one-stop shops and energy agencies play a pivotal role in bringing EU policy instruments closer to communities and companies, facilitating the implementation of European goals and policies.

Supporting initiatives

Integral to discussions on achieving climate neutrality is the REMARKABLE Climate Leaders project. This initiative supports local leaders who distinguish themselves through actions and inspiration, driving their municipalities, regions, and communities to tackle climate change on behalf of the public. Their innovative approaches complement the overarching theme of the conference, emphasizing the crucial role of local leaders in shaping the future of climate neutrality strategies.

Additionally, the conference will feature insights from the ManagEnergy initiative dedicated to regional and local energy agencies. ManagEnergy aims to support these agencies in becoming leaders in the energy transition, accelerating sustainable energy investments in regions and cities. Grounded in the belief that energy agencies are uniquely positioned to facilitate sustainable energy investments in Europe, ManagEnergy also focuses on supporting the development and implementation of concrete projects at the local and regional levels, triggering innovation.

As REMARKABLE Climate Leaders, and representatives from ManagEnergy, among others, converge in Brussels, the conference promises to be a pivotal moment in shaping the future of climate neutrality strategies and reinforcing the essential role of local leaders in achieving the ambitious goals set by the European Green Deal.