At the 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns in Aalborg, Denmark, over 1,000 politicians and civil servants from across Europe gathered this week to discuss how local municipalities can become the driving force behind the green transition. With pressing environmental challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss, cities are playing an increasingly important role in shaping sustainable societies across the world. The conference, marking the 30th anniversary of the Aalborg Charter, saw the unveiling of the Aalborg Conditions—a declaration signed by mayors from 35 cities across Europe, urging the EU and member states to provide local authorities with the right framework conditions to effectively support the green transition.

The declaration comes at a crucial moment. As Europe strives for climate neutrality, cities are uniquely positioned to deliver tangible results. The conference underscored how urban areas, which house most of Europe’s population, can lead by example and build a resilient, climate-neutral future.

Cities at the forefront of the green transition

The Aalborg Conditions highlight the critical role of cities in Europe’s sustainability journey. With decades of progress in local climate action plans and sustainability strategies, municipalities are now taking on even greater responsibility in shaping policies aligned with global and EU targets, such as the Paris Agreement and the EU Green Deal.

Key principles of the Aalborg Conditions include:

1. Shared Governance: Cities need to be recognised as key players in the multilevel governance system. This means participating actively in legislative processes, ensuring regulations allow for innovative, place-based solutions, and focusing on outcomes rather than prescriptive policies.
2. Integrated Finance: Adequate financing is essential to turn local action plans into reality. Cities call for a shift towards large-scale, long-term investments, better coordination across governance levels, and direct access to EU funds that can support the ambitious goals outlined in local climate and sustainability strategies.
3. Cohesive Transition: Transforming cities must be transparent and inclusive, empowering all societal groups. Communication and education are key to ensuring citizens understand the challenges and benefits of the green transition. Additionally, re-skilling and long-term fiscal predictability will be crucial in enabling businesses and residents to adapt to new sustainable frameworks.

The Aalborg Conditions reflect decades of collaboration between local governments, civil society, and businesses. While cities have made significant strides in climate action, they need stronger support from national governments and EU institutions to accelerate progress. The declaration calls for a new level of cooperation to remove regulatory barriers, align financing programs, and ensure that the transition is both equitable and inclusive​​.

Bringing together urban experts and solution providers

As part of the 2024 European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns, State of Green and Creative Denmark hosted an exclusive networking event at Kedelhallen, Aalborg, which brought together urban developers, architects, and key stakeholders from across the entire urban development value chain.

The event featured two engaging keynote speeches that addressed the intersection of urban development, climate action, and sustainability:

• Flemming Voetmann, Vice President of External Relations and Sustainability at VELUX, shared valuable insights into VELUX’s holistic approach to sustainable urban development.
• Søren Tortzen, Head of Department at C.F. Møller Architects, presented the transformation of Aalborg’s waterfront, offering a unique perspective on sustainable urban design.

Before the main event, attendees had the opportunity to participate in an optional site visit along the harbour, where Danfoss and SLA showcased their innovative urban solutions along the Aalborg harbour.

With the conference’s theme of “Sustainable Cities and Towns: 30 Years of Transformation”, the networking event facilitated meaningful dialogue on how cities can continue to lead the way in shaping sustainable urban futures. Danish and international urban experts, municipal representatives, and industry stakeholders connected and exchanged experiences, fostering collaboration on sustainable urban solutions​​.