The fight against climate change has become a global priority and many cities are making great efforts to become more environmentally sustainable. Turin has been selected as one of 100 European cities to be supported by the European Union in their journey towards climate neutrality and digitisation. A goal to be achieved by 2030 and which will give the Piedmontese city the recognition of a 'Mission Label', useful for:
- have easier access to European funding dedicated to the energy and ecological transition,
- strengthen and accelerate the process towards decarbonisation.
On 14 March 2024, Turin submitted its Climate City Contract to the European Commission. The document, signed by Mayor Stefano Lo Russo and drafted by the city administration and the Politecnico, was sent to Brussels for approval. A response will be received within a few months, at which point Turin, qualified with the European 'Mission Label', will be able to continue on its path towards climate neutrality.
Climate neutrality by 2030: a concrete goal for Turin
But what exactly does it mean to be climate neutral and how is Turin working towards this ambitious goal?
Climate neutrality, also known as carbon neutrality, refers to achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere and the amount removed from it or offset through various means. Carbon capture and storage, reforestation or investment in renewable energy projects are some of the key actions that can be implemented to improve the environment.
In practice, this means reducing net greenhouse gas emissions to zero, no longer contributing to climate change. Achieving climate neutrality is a crucial goal in the fight against global warming as it helps stabilise the climate system and prevent further environmental degradation.
What is Turin doing to combat climate change?
In the face of mounting evidence and worrying statistics, the reality of climate change casts a disturbing shadow over our collective future.
Rising temperatures, extreme weather events and environmental disruptions paint a bleak picture of the damage inflicted on the planet.
A call to action urges us to face the consequences of our actions and choose a path towards environmental stewardship and renewal. Turin is proving to be attentive and proactive.
- Sustainable public transport: Turin has upgraded its public transport system to reduce the use of private vehicles and air pollution.
The introduction of electric buses and the creation of safe bicycle lanes are just a few examples of how the city is trying to promote the use of sustainable means of transport. But that is not all: Turin is also investing in research and development of new technologies for public transport (the implementation of hydrogen-powered vehicles, which only emit water and guarantee a minimal environmental impact, is being studied).
These innovative initiatives are helping to make Turin a city at the forefront of sustainable mobility. - Energy efficiency in buildings: The capital of Piedmont is working to improve the energy efficiency of public and private buildings in the city. This includes installing solar panels and promoting thermal insulation to reduce energy use for heating and cooling buildings.
The city of Turin has initiated an incentive programme to encourage building owners to carry out energy efficiency measures. Thanks to these measures, many historic buildings are adopting innovative solutions to reduce energy consumption while preserving their architectural charm. The aim is to create a city where energy efficiency is the norm, thus helping to reduce the environmental impact and improve the quality of life of citizens. - Circular economy: Another important project that Turin is pursuing is the adoption of a circular economy system. This means reducing waste and promoting the reuse and recycling of materials. This reduces the amount of waste produced and minimises the use of natural resources.
To promote the circular economy, Turin is encouraging the creation of companies and startups that deal with recycling and reuse of materials. In addition, separate waste collection centres have been set up throughout the city, making it easier for citizens to separate waste and contribute to reducing environmental impact. This circular mentality is changing the way the city handles its waste, creating new economic opportunities and promoting greater ecological awareness.
The transition to a sustainable energy model for Turin not only contributes to the fight against climate change, but also brings economic and social benefits. The use of renewable energy reduces dependence on external energy sources and creates new job opportunities in the clean energy sector. Not to mention that it improves air quality and the health of citizens.
Through the adoption of targeted policies and initiatives, the city is making great progress towards this goal, as can be monitored on the website torinovivibile.it
The role of citizens in the transformation process towards a climate-neutral city
The citizens of Turin play a fundamental role in the transformation process towards a climate-neutral city. Everyone has a responsibility to adopt sustainable behaviour and contribute to reducing emissions. This can be done through small daily gestures, such as reducing energy consumption, using environmentally friendly means of transport and reducing water waste.
However, the role of citizens is not only limited to individual changes. Turin has established citizens' councils and advisory committees, which actively involve citizens in the planning and implementation of environmental policies. These structures provide an opportunity for citizens to express their opinions, propose solutions and monitor the effectiveness of adopted policies.
Active participation in political life and public debate is essential to influence decisions taken at municipal level and direct resources towards sustainable solutions. Citizens can pressure local institutions to adopt proactive environmental policies and promote environmental education and awareness.
I progetti e le iniziative innovative che stanno contribuendo a rendere Torino climaticamente neutrale
Turin is renowned for its capacity for innovation and this is also reflected in its struggle to become a more environmentally conscious city. Numerous innovative projects and initiatives have been launched in the shadow of the Mole Antonelliana to reduce the city's environmental impact.
Re-Learn has recently closed an investment round worth EUR 1 million dealing with waste management. The basic idea is based on the use of artificial intelligence to turn waste into a resource by monitoring and raising awareness among the corporate and city community. ReLearn's core technology monitors and analyses waste production, offering data on the quantity and quality of waste collection.
Enerbrain was created to reduce energy consumption in buildings using IoT and Cloud technologies.
In recent months, it participated in the European project Reeflex, an EU-funded activity with the aim of accelerating climate neutrality in major European cities by reducing emissions in the mobility and energy sector.
Enerbrain also took part in the project Al4cities, now concluded, which aimed to reduce CO₂ emissions by improving energy efficiency, by conducting tests on three pilot projects: a kindergarten and a toy library in Copenhagen and an office building in Amsterdam.
The results were not long in coming: integration with IoT systems enabled Enerbrain to collect extensive data and monitor the buildings remotely. The data obtained was processed and implemented through proprietary algorithms, with the aim of reducing energy consumption.
AWorld is a platform that promotes a sustainable lifestyle and measures people's impact on the environment by rewarding virtuous actions. The creators of AWorld have connected everyone's actions by creating a network of people, companies and institutions that share paths and challenges to improve their climate impact through small, big everyday actions.
The objective of this App has appealed to the United Nations who have chosen it to support Act Now, the campaign against climate change and in favour of adopting sustainable behaviour.
Excellent examples of climate-neutral cities
Turin is not the only city committed to becoming climate neutral. Around the world, there are many other cities that are making significant progress on the path to environmental sustainability.
- Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm is an example of a city that, for years now, has been reducing its greenhouse gas emissions through the use of renewable energies, such as geothermal and solar energy. The city is also known for its efficient public transport system and its commitment to sustainable urbanism.
Stockholm has decreased carbon dioxide emissions by 25 per cent per inhabitant since 1990 and has a goal of being totally independent of fossil energy sources in 2050. - Reykjavik, Iceland: Reykjavik is known for its commitment to clean energy production. The city mainly uses geothermal energy to heat buildings and provide electricity. Iceland is working to become the first country in the world to completely eliminate the use of fossil fuels for transport.
- Vancouver, Canada: Vancouver is also a city committed to combating climate change. The project 'One Water' has been of great importance for the management of water resources. Drinking water, waste water and rainwater are treated as one integrated system instead of being treated separately. This facilitates collaboration between all stakeholders, including the public, private and community sectors. The city has also adopted strong policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy efficiency. Vancouver has ambitious goals: to become a zero-emission city by 2050.
The challenge to make Turin climate neutral is complex and requires the collaboration of all actors in society. From governments to businesses, through the involvement of citizens.
The Piedmontese capital is making significant progress towards this goal and will set an example for other cities that want to take the same path. With collective commitment, we can build a sustainable tomorrow for future generations.
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