On December 5, 2024, Madrid hosted the event “Citizen Governance and Local Climate Action from the Perspective of the European Climate Pact Ambassadors: Challenges and Reflections,” organized by the European Climate Pact as part of the National Environmental Congress 2024 (CONAMA). 

During the event, experts and local representatives emphasized the importance of public participation, environmental education, and a just transition as key tools for climate transformation. 

Local Initiatives and Climate Adaptation Education 

The first panel showcased innovative projects such as the Comprehensive Plan for the Renaturalization of the Ribera del Duero, demonstrating how wineries and local communities are working together to restore ecosystems. The discussion also addressed the impact of climate activism and the urgent need to promote education as a cornerstone for climate adaptation. 

Challenges in Climate Finance and Energy Transition 

The second panel focused on the agreements reached at COP29 in Baku, highlighting the ongoing challenges in climate finance and the energy transition. In this context, Ana Belén Cristóbal, European Climate Pact Ambassador, underscored the importance of involving local communities in decision-making and the implementation of sustainable solutions. 

Strategies were proposed to empower citizens to actively participate in energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and emission reduction efforts. A concrete example is the AURORA initiative, which successfully crowdfunded the installation of a 98 kWp photovoltaic facility at Aarhus University and is in the process of crowd funding a 43 kWp solar plant along with two heat pumps at a school in Madrid. These initiatives illustrate that, if governments remove legal and bureaucratic barriers, citizens can play a crucial role in funding and executing climate projects. 

Conclusion: Local Action as the Key to a Sustainable Future 

Speakers agreed that local action is essential for a sustainable future and that citizens must play an active role in climate decision-making. The event highlighted the importance of participatory governance and collaboration across sectors to effectively tackle present and future environmental challenges.