Piia Elo, Mayor of Turku, attended the ICLEI Global Council meeting and the Daring Cities climate event held in Bonn, Germany, on 9–10 June 2026.
In Bonn, Elo shared Turku’s experiences of climate partnerships, citizen engagement and the role of cities in advancing climate goals.
ICLEI is a global network of local and regional governments for sustainable development, bringing together over 2,500 cities, regions and other local authorities from more than 125 countries. The ICLEI Global Board, meeting in Bonn, discussed the role of cities and regions in achieving climate, nature and sustainability goals, as well as the network’s future advocacy objectives.
Mayor of Turku Piia Elo attended the meeting as ICLEI’s Vice-Chair and, at the same time, presented the current priorities of ICLEI Europe, which represents European cities, to the global Management Group.
The discussions highlighted the importance of cities as implementers and developers of international climate policy. ICLEI Europe’s advocacy work has focused on strengthening the role of cities in, among other things, the EU’s future multiannual financial framework, regional development, the Social Climate Fund and the financing of sustainable urban development. ICLEI’s aim is to strengthen cities’ influence in European and international decision-making.
– Cities are at the forefront of climate action. We implement practical solutions that are visible in people’s everyday lives in transport, energy, construction and the urban environment. That is why cities’ voices must be heard more clearly where future climate and sustainability policies are decided, says Elo.
Climate action is most effective when we commit to it together.
The city can act as a convener
At the Daring Cities event organised in conjunction with the Global Governing Council meeting, Elo took part in a panel discussion on so-called Town Hall COP processes. The City of Turku was invited to share its experiences of a model through which the City has brought together residents, businesses, universities, organisations and public sector actors around joint climate action.
Turku has been organising Town Hall COP events since 2023. From 2025 onwards, these have been integrated into the city’s climate partnership and participation forums. The aim of the model is to strengthen citizen participation and to link local climate action to national and international climate targets.
– Climate action is most effective when we commit to it together. Turku’s experience shows that businesses and young people, in particular, play a key role in driving change. Businesses see new opportunities in the Green Transition, and young people’s belief in the future is the most important driving force behind sustainable development, says Elo.
Turku updates its climate plan
Turku aims to be carbon neutral by 2029. The city’s greenhouse gas emissions have already fallen by 75 per cent from 1990 levels.
The updated climate plan, which will be considered by the City Council in June, sets out the next steps towards a climate-positive Turku. Among other things, the plan reinforces the goals of adapting to climate change, reducing emissions from consumption, and ensuring a just transition.
– Carbon neutrality is not the end point of climate work, but a new phase. In the updated climate plan, we are charting a course towards a climate-positive Turku and strengthening the city’s ability to respond to the impacts of climate change, says Elo.
*This translation was produced with AI and reviewed by a human.