Intangible value creation
ClimateGO - Pathways to Climate-Smart Governance
Together Towards Climate-Smart Governance
ClimateGO supports cities and regions in developing more effective and climate-smart governance practices. The project strengthens the capacity of public authorities and decision-makers to plan and implement actions that address both climate change mitigation and adaptation. By improving understanding of climate-related challenges and opportunities, ClimateGO promotes proactive, informed decision-making that helps build resilient and sustainable communities.
The project brings together seven partners from six European cities and regions, all working towards stronger climate resilience and more sustainable development in line with EU objectives. Through the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and good practices, partners learn from one another and identify effective approaches for improving climate governance. ClimateGO also fosters cooperation among regional stakeholders, strengthening collective efforts to address climate challenges and create a more sustainable future.
Regional Activities in Päijät-Häme
In Päijät-Häme, the project is supported by a regional stakeholder group that includes representatives from municipalities, cities, businesses, wellbeing services, research organisations, and other key actors. This broad partnership ensures that diverse perspectives and expertise are reflected in climate-related planning and decision-making.
By bringing together stakeholders from different sectors, the project helps strengthen regional capacity for climate adaptation and resilience. The collaboration also supports the integration of local knowledge and practical experience into policy development, contributing to more effective and sustainable climate action across the region.
ClimateGO supports cities and regions in developing more effective and climate-smart governance practices. The project strengthens the capacity of public authorities and decision-makers to plan and implement actions that address both climate change mitigation and adaptation. By improving understanding of climate-related challenges and opportunities, ClimateGO promotes proactive, informed decision-making that helps build resilient and sustainable communities.
The project brings together seven partners from six European cities and regions, all working towards stronger climate resilience and more sustainable development in line with EU objectives. Through the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and good practices, partners learn from one another and identify effective approaches for improving climate governance. ClimateGO also fosters cooperation among regional stakeholders, strengthening collective efforts to address climate challenges and create a more sustainable future.
Regional Activities in Päijät-Häme
In Päijät-Häme, the project is supported by a regional stakeholder group that includes representatives from municipalities, cities, businesses, wellbeing services, research organisations, and other key actors. This broad partnership ensures that diverse perspectives and expertise are reflected in climate-related planning and decision-making.
By bringing together stakeholders from different sectors, the project helps strengthen regional capacity for climate adaptation and resilience. The collaboration also supports the integration of local knowledge and practical experience into policy development, contributing to more effective and sustainable climate action across the region.
More information about the project
Takes place in project
Interreg Europe brings people together to share innovative and sustainable solutions to regional development challenges.
Interreg Europe organized a joint kick-off meeting for all lead partners in Antwerp, Belgium. ClimateGO also participated in the event.
Blog article: Tackling vicious problems with climate-smart governance
ClimateGO started briskly
Vibrant activity has begun in the ClimateGO project. The first meeting with the project partners was already held in March, and the regional stakeholder groups have been formed and they have already started their activities in some of the partner regions. The activity of the regional stakeholder groups will be of major importance to the project. That's why the project will invest in their operation right from the beginning.
Read more about the work of the stakeholder group in the Päijät-Häme region: Boosting climate-smart governance with stakeholder cooperation
First Partner Meeting in Lahti, Finland
The ClimateGO project partners convened in summery Lahti on 11–12 June 2024. The meeting provided an opportunity to deepen understanding of the City of Lahti and the Päijät-Häme region, including the region’s climate-smart practices.
A core objective of the project is the exchange of knowledge and best practices among partners. This meeting facilitated meaningful learning and collaboration, reinforcing the project's commitment to shared development and mutual learning. News: Creating Common Understanding about Climate-smart Governance
Second Partner Meeting in Košice, Slovakia
The second partner meeting of the ClimateGO project took place in Košice, Slovakia, on 11–12 February 2025. During the visit, participants gained valuable insights into the climate-related risks and challenges facing the Košice region, as presented by local stakeholders. The meeting also showcased regional solutions and initiatives aimed at enhancing climate resilience.
In addition, the group was introduced to the operations of KlimaPark Kysak, a local initiative contributing to sustainable development and climate awareness in the region.
News: 2nd Interregional Meeting took place in Košice, Slovakia
Blog article: Proactive adaptation to climate change is important in local regions
Third Partner Meeting in Grenoble, France
The third partner meeting of the ClimateGO project was held in Grenoble, France, on 13–14 February 2025. Grenoble has continued its ambitious climate efforts following its recognition as the European Green Capital in 2022. The city is also successfully implementing the principles of the Doughnut Economy, demonstrating innovative approaches to sustainable urban development.
News: Grenoble offered a holistic vision for a sustainable future
Blog Article: Grenoble offered a holistic vision for a sustainable future
Fourth Partner Meeting in Alzira, Spain
News: 4th interregional meeting focused on climate recilience
Fifth Partner Meeting in Waterford, Ireland
News: Energy efficiency efforts in Waterford
Blog Article: Climate Action Has a Clear Direction in Alzira and Waterford
Sixth Project Meeting in Maribor, Slovenia
Project outputs and materials:
The Thematic Study describes "The Successes and Failures in Climate-Smart Governance in ClimateGO partner regions has been published. Learn more about the study here.
The ClimateGO Policy Brief - Climate-smart Decision-making describes the recommendations and proposals from the ClimateGO-project to support the promotion of climate-smart decision-making in local governments. Learn more about the policy brief here
Find the policy briefs from Waterford, Alzira and Kosice in ClimateGO Library
Workshop on heat-related impacts
The ClimateGO project partners from Päijät-Häme took part in organising a workshop focused on the heat-related impacts of climate change. The workshop explored ways in which different population groups can protect themselves from the effects of prolonged heat. Hotter Days Are Becoming the New Normal
Engaging local decision-makers in climate policies
ClimateGO project has engaged local decision-makers throughout Päijät-Häme region. The mission has been to provide information to newly elected decision-makers and municipal authorities regarding climate change adaptation. This has included municipal visits, workshops, and distributing regional policy briefs to decision-makers. In addition, the ways in which decision-makers prefer to receive information related to climate change have been surveyed.
Blog Article: Engaging local decision-makers in climate policies
What hinders climate action in Finland?
There are several political and societal structures and practices that slow down the sustainability transition and climate action. One identified practice is climate obstruction. Climate obstruction is about questioning, delaying or downplaying climate action. Several of the municipal actors in Päijät-Häme met by the ClimateGO project have encountered the phenomenon in their daily work. If climate obstruction takes over public debate and decision-making, there is a risk that the social acceptability of climate action will decrease and due to this action will slow down or stop altogether.
Read more about climate obstruction and other obstacles that hinder climate action in Finland from our newly released article "What hinders climate action in Finland?" published in LAB Pro.
Interested in climate-smart policies?
Discover our new publication, Guidelines for Decision Makers to Achieve Climate-Smart Governance. The publication presents a set of core principles that support decision-makers in creating clear and impactful policies that strengthen climate resilience. To bring these principles to life, we have also released a short video highlighting the key messages and recommendations from the publication
Read more about the project: https://www.interregeurope.eu/climatego
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Project manager
Marjut Villanen
RDI specialist
marjut [dot] villanen
lab [dot] fi
lab [dot] fiMore information about the project
Project state
On-going
Implementation area
International
LAB role
Lead partner
Unit
Technology
Key competence
Intangible value creation
