At a discussion held during the Delphi Economic Forum, Athens Mayor Haris Doukas argued that cities are leading the way in the global green transition, often moving significantly faster than national governments in implementing climate policies and sustainability projects.
The panel focused on strategies to accelerate urban decarbonization and strengthen cities’ resilience to climate change, with emphasis on financing, infrastructure, and international cooperation.
Cities at the forefront of climate action
Haris Doukas, Mayor of Athens, highlighted the growing role of cities in addressing climate challenges through cross-border collaboration and practical implementation of environmental policies.
He pointed to Athens’ participation in COP30 in Rio de Janeiro, where discussions included the environmental impact and management of energy-intensive data centers. Doukas stressed that cities participating in the C40 Cities network—including Athens—are progressing up to five times faster than national governments in adopting and implementing green transition measures.
“Cities are not only transforming everyday life for citizens, but also putting pressure on governments to accelerate climate-related action,” he said.
Call for direct funding and investment
Doukas underlined the need for cities to receive direct funding in order to implement key climate adaptation and mitigation projects. These include emissions reduction initiatives, flood protection infrastructure, and broader resilience planning.
He argued that the green transition is not merely a national issue but a broader European challenge requiring coordinated financial and institutional support.
Global cooperation and climate targets
Andy Deacon, Co-Managing Director of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, emphasized the importance of delivering ambitious urban projects worldwide to meet climate goals. He stressed the need for cooperation to achieve net-zero emissions targets set under the Paris climate framework.
Meanwhile, Júlia López Ventura, representing C40 Cities in Europe, noted that the network now includes more than 140 cities representing over 900 million people globally. She highlighted increasing pressures on cities, including geopolitical instability and rising adaptation needs, which make collaboration and financing even more essential.
EU stance on climate and energy transition
Anthony Agotha, Special Envoy for Climate and Environmental Diplomacy at the European External Action Service, reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to its climate goals despite recent crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
He stated that the EU will not revert to a fossil fuel-based economy and pointed to the growing energy demands of technologies such as data centres as further reason to accelerate the green transition.
Agotha described climate investments as essential rather than optional, noting that the cost of inaction must also be considered. He added that the transition is critical for Europe’s competitiveness, security, and public health.
