Local Voices for Sustainability

What does the concept of “Mobility As A Right” (MAAR) look like in practice? In this episode, we head to Mannheim, Germany, to explore how the city is rethinking transport through the UPPER project . Mobility Coordinator and Policy Advisor to the Mayor Tim Neugebauer from the City of Mannheim leads us through the city’s multimodal transport system, which serves both its industrial needs and its ai...

What if the journey to school could make cities healthier, safer and more social? In this episode, we head to Grenoble to explore how rethinking streets around schools can transform everyday urban life. Edwin Hatton, Project Manager for Grenoble City Council, and Lysa Sérot, intern with the city’s Public Space Planning team, take us inside the 'Breath of School' project — winner of ICLEI E...

As heatwaves intensify and wildfire risks grow, cities on the urban-forest edge face mounting climate pressure. In this episode, we head to Athens to explore how data, AI and collaboration help the city detect wildfire threats before flames appear. Vangelis Marinakis from the National Technical University of Athens and Lina Magoula from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens take us in...

Is soil just dirt – or one of a city’s most critical assets? In this episode, we head to Nantes to uncover how soil underpins climate resilience, biodiversity, and urban growth. Director of Territorial Strategy, Clément Le Bras-Thomas, reveals why putting soil at the heart of planning could transform Europe’s cities. Learn more about the SPADES project and the impact it is having in cities like Na...

When climate risk meets cultural heritage, cities have to make choices . In this episode, we head to Guimarães to find out how one of Europe’s oldest cities is rewriting its relationship with nature. Carlos Ribeiro, President of the Landscape Lab, takes us behind the scenes of fire prevention, riverbed restoration, and a green strategy that connects city, landscape, and community — just as Guimarã...

Paris is transforming into a greener, more liveable city—one street and biodiversity corridor at a time. In this episode, we sit down with Celeste Rouberol from the City of Paris about how the French capital is reimagining urban life through nature, from its ambitious Biodiversity Plan to new community-led green spaces. Learn about Paris' role as a Lighthouse City in the UNP+ project, here . L...

What does it mean to live on an island that may one day vanish? How can communities adapt to climate change, and what does staying – or leaving – really mean? In this episode, ICLEI Europe speaks with Dr. Catharina Greve about Neuwerk, a tiny island in northern Germany where climate change is no abstraction – storm surges, rising seas, and shifting tides define daily life. Greve introduces the Res...

Public procurement isn’t just about getting the best price – it’s about shaping the greener and fairer cities of tomorrow. In this episode, we visit ICLEI Member City Oslo to learn how the Oslo Model is tackling social dumping, raising labour standards, and making public purchasing a tool for social and environmental change. 🎙️ Hear from Kjersti Koffeld and Espen Nicolaysen on how Oslo is applying...

Łódź, Poland is turning co-creation into climate action. In this episode, we speak with Aleksandra Sztuka , Deputy Director of Environment Management at the City of Łódź,  who explains how the city is working with residents to green public spaces, tackle water scarcity, and rethink urban planning. It’s a fresh take on how cities can build fairer, more sustainable futures—together. Learn more about...

The last time the EU concluded its long-term budget negotiations was in 2021. Back then, COVID-19 was in full swing and defense and European cohesion were not the topics they are today. Priorities change. The new EU budget is expected to be announced this July. So, we wanted to know - what should we expect? What changes would benefit cities and towns? ICLEI Europe’s Senior Advocacy Expert, Goksen...

Sustainable mobility is key to building cities that are not only environmentally friendly but also accessible, smart, and resilient. In this episode, Sustainable Mobility Experts Andreas Piller and Elma Meskovic-Imsirovic from ICLEI Europe discuss how bold, forward-thinking decisions are reshaping the mobility landscape in European cities. They also dive into the EU's role in driving change an...

When was the last time you wandered through your local food market? How do the offerings at a market compare to those at a supermarket? In this episode, we explore the vital role of food systems in fostering a healthier, more sustainable city - from collaborative community projects to bridging the gap between urban and rural neighbourhoods. As a member of ICLEI Europe for more than 30 years, Freib...

Each month, ICLEI Europe publishes a feature article via its newsletter. In our mini segment, 'Features', a member of the ICLEI Europe staff reads the feature aloud. Our November 2024 feature article is read aloud by Sarah Arfeen, of ICLEI Europe's Events and Project Communications team. The article dives into the results from COP16 and the successes for biodiversity that resulted in the midst of...

What do sustainability projects have in common with the stars in the night sky? More than you’d think! In this episode, we turn our telescopes to the trailblazing city of Alba Iulia , where a radically new approach to managing the city’s sustainability efforts is taking hold. As the first city in Romania to sign a Local Green Deal , and a participating city in the Intelligent Cities Challenge, Alb...

Each month, ICLEI Europe publishes a feature article via its newsletter. In our mini segment, 'Features', a member of the ICLEI Europe staff reads the feature aloud. Our October 2024 feature article is read aloud by Laura Schubert, of ICLEI Europe's Events and Project Communications team. The article dives into the Aalborg Conditions, launched at the 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities...

The city of Guimarães (Portugal) is on a mission to make food waste management more sustainable. How? By focusing on circular economy, a model of resource production and consumption that emphasises sharing, recycling and reusing materials and products for as long as possible. In this episode, we sit down with Dalila Sepúlveda, Head of the Department of Environment and Sustainability for the city o...

Each month, ICLEI Europe publishes a feature article via its newsletter. In our mini segment, 'Features', a member of the ICLEI Europe staff reads the feature aloud. Our September 2024 feature article is read aloud by Alis-Daniela Torres, of ICLEI Europe's Green Digital Transformation team. The article explores the potential of data and AI to help cities realise their potential on their journey to...

Each month, ICLEI Europe publishes a feature article via its newsletter. In our mini segment, 'Features', a member of the ICLEI Europe staff reads the feature aloud. Our August 2024 feature article is read aloud by Anna Westervelt, of ICLEI Europe's Strategic Communications, Membership and Advocacy team. The article explores the European Commission's 2040 Climate Target proposal an...

Barcelona gets a lot of sun - nearly 2600 hours, annually (for comparison, Brussels gets about half of that). It is also a city where 20% of households struggle with energy poverty. So, what to do with plenty of sun and not enough affordable energy? Build pathways that make solar power an attractive option for all! In this episode, we sit down with Sergi Delgado, from the Barcelona Local Energy Ag...

Each month, ICLEI Europe publishes a feature article via its newsletter. In our mini segment, 'Features', a member of the ICLEI Europe staff reads the feature aloud. Our July 2024 feature article is read aloud by Arthur Hinsch, of ICLEI Europe's Sustainable Energy Systems team. The article explores Europe's transition away from fossil fuels and the important considerations needed t...

Last week, Ursula von der Leyen was re-elected as European Commission President, kicking off a mandate that will run until 2029. But what does this new term mean for urban sustainability? And is the European Green Deal safe? ICLEI Europe Senior Advocacy Expert, Goksen Sahin, joins us on the show to break down the new mandate, and explains how it will impact urban sustainability in cities and regio...

Hey there! We're Jacob Broehm and Laura Schubert, the hosts of Local Voices for Sustainability ⁠ , the ICLEI Europe podcast. We want to know, what kinds of challenges are cities facing in their efforts to becoming more sustainable? What solutions are working? What aren't? But also, how are cities making sure that everyone is coming along for the ride? Join us as we sit down with city leade...

Each month, ICLEI Europe publishes a feature article via its newsletter. In our mini segment, 'Features', a member of the ICLEI Europe staff reads the feature aloud. Our June 2024 feature article is read aloud by Stefan Kuhn, Deputy Regional Director ⁠ at ICLEI Europe. The article explores the impact of elections on the future of the EU Green Deal and on local sustainability agendas. To re...

The climate emergency has brought a whole host of challenges to waterfront cities worldwide. Danish city, Aalborg, is no exception to this reality. In this conversation with Steffen Lervad Thomsen, from the Center for Green Transition at the City of Aalborg, we discuss how the city is prioritising an adaptive approach. We also explore the idea of a "thriving" city - what does it look lik...

Each month, ICLEI Europe publishes a feature article via its newsletter. In our mini segment, 'Features', a member of the ICLEI Europe staff reads the feature aloud. Our May 2024 feature article is read aloud by Philipp LaHaela Walter, Head of Biodiversity and Nature-based Solutions at ICLEI Europe. Celebrating Biodiversity Day, it acknowledges the important policy frameworks and concrete...