CAIC26 | Conference programme
Climate Alliance International Conference 2026
Programme details
The Climate Alliance International Conference (CAIC26) will take place on 29 & 30 September in Brussels. We are also happy to offer a special warm-up programme for all participants arriving the day before the big event.
Climate Alliance Working Group on CO2 Monitoring
14:00 – 15:30
Brussels Excursions
Hemicycle of the EU Parliament, Museum for EU History, Parlamentarium
16:00 – 18:00
Apéritif & networking
as of 19:00
General Assembly
Help shape our network!
10:00 – 12:30
Lunch & Expo
12:30 – 14:00
Political Plenary
Stronger together for Europe
14:00 – 15:30
Coffee Break
15:30 – 16:00 Uhr
Town Hall Plenary
Stronger together for Europe
16:00 – 17:30
Reception & Expo
as of 18:00
The Climate Kitchen
Municipal recipes for success to go!
10:00 – 11:00
Workshops
Financing nature-based solutions, Local energy transition, Shaping energy savings together, Data-driven climate action
11:00 – 12:30
Lunch & Expo
12:30 – 14:00
Funding Lab
Learn about funding opportunities and find project partners!
14:00 – 16:00
Warm-Up Day | 28 September 2026
Climate Alliance Working Group on CO2 Monitoring
Mundo-Madou, 14:00 – 15:30
Climate Alliance has developed a methodology for CO₂ pricing at the local and regional levels; at this workshop we will unveil a new tool that calculates the impacts and CO₂ savings of CO₂ pricing in specific procurement processes. The workshop will also be a chance to provide an overview of newly available satellite data and how it can be used in local climate action plans. The meeting is open to members of the working group as well as all other interested Climate Alliance members.
Excursions in Brussels
16:00 – 18:00
Take a look behind the scenes of the European Union with our guided tours. Three tours, three perspectives – the choice is yours: the Hemicycle, the Museum of EU History or the Parlamentarium! Please note: The tour you select during registration is to be initially understood as an expression of interest with changes possible based on participant numbers. You will receive a definitive confirmation shortly before the conference.
1st Conference Day | 29 September 2026
Climate Alliance General Assembly 2026
Les Ateliers des Tanneurs, Halle Vitrée, 10:00 – 12:30
Approximately 2,000 regions, towns and local authorities stand behind our network, all united in their desire to make a difference. At the General Assembly, we come together to reflect on an eventful year for local climate action and to shape the future of our network.
Political Plenary: Stronger together for Europe
Les Ateliers des Tanneurs, Halle Vitrée, 14:00 – 15:30
Climate action can only succeed if we work together. All levels of government must pull in the same direction – for resilience, social justice and a strong European democracy. But local authorities need political, financial and structural backing to remain capable of taking action. The CAIC26 plenary session therefore focuses on the question: How do we ensure that the local and regional levels get the resources, breathing space and support they need for effective climate action? Together with our guests, we will discuss the role of solidarity, financing and community in European climate policy.
Town Hall: Stronger together for Europe
Les Ateliers des Tanneurs, Halle Vitrée, 16:00 – 17:30
The Town Hall session picks up where the previous plenary leaves off. EU policy experts will summarise the key takeaways from the main plenary, and then we’ll give you the floor. In groups focusing on topics such as energy, democracy & solidarity, resilience, governance and housing, we will engage in in-depth discussions with the experts, share practical insights and gather suggestions on what cities and towns really need. Your perspectives will feed directly into Climate Alliance’s policy work.
2nd Conference Day | 30 September 2026
The Climate Kitchen: Municipal recipes for success to go!
Les Ateliers des Tanneurs, Halle Vitrée, 10:00 – 11:00
Whether it’s a city council resolution, a funding scheme or citizens’ assemblies – which measures really make a difference on the ground, encourage different stakeholders to work together, and thus drive local climate protection and adaptation? To kick off the second day of the conference, we will be gathering best practices in local climate action. Do you have a recipe for success to share? Be sure to include your example when registering, and we will get back to you!
Workshop I: Fostering broader financing and implementation of nature-based solutions through public private partnerships
Les Ateliers des Tanneurs, Halle Vitrée, 11:00 – 12:30
This workshop invites participants to explore practical ways of scaling up investment in and the implementation of nature-based solutions by bridging the gap between public priorities and private capital. The focus is on policy recommendations and real-world examples. The discussion focuses on what works and what needs to change to make nature-based solutions investable, scalable and effective. This workshop is organised by Invest4Nature.
Workshop II: Shaping energy savings together – How municipalities can successfully engage citizens
Les Ateliers des Tanneurs, Raum Gamay, 11:00 – 12:30
This workshop presents practical solutions designed to help local authorities achieve measurable energy savings through public engagement and targeted communication campaigns. The event draws on experiences from Austria, Germany, Lithuania, Portugal and Slovenia, demonstrating how well-designed communication strategies can effectively encourage households to implement simple and cost-effective energy-saving measures. The workshop is organised by the LIFE-funded initiative SaveEnergyTogether.
Workshop III: Making local energy transitions work –
How municipalities and energy actors can succeed together
Les Ateliers des Tanneurs, Raum Syrah, 11:00 – 12:30
Local energy transitions across Europe are accelerating — and with them, the need to expand and modernize energy infrastructure. Municipalities usually coordinate planning and ensure social equity. On the other hand, energy production, grids and networks are typically operated by utilities and other market actors, e.g DSOs or energy communities, often leading to diverging priorities and conflicts of interest. In this workshop, we explore barriers to local energy transitions and present practical examples, strategies and solutions from different European cities and regions to overcome these challenges.
Workshop IV: Data-driven climate action – Making use of new data in mitigation and adaptation plans
Les Ateliers des Tanneurs, Raum Merlot, 11:00 – 12:30
In recent years, the availability of satellite technology and digital tools has enabled the development of new types of data. In this workshop, as part of our collaboration with Google, we will present the latest developments from Google Earth and show how new datasets can strengthen local climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. We will also share practical examples, including the use of digital technologies for territorial monitoring in the Amazon.
Funding Lab: Find funding opportunities and potential project partners!
Les Ateliers des Tanneurs, Halle Vitrée, 14:00 – 16:00
Our Funding Lab brings together stakeholders from across Europe to explore exciting opportunities and forge new partnerships. Participants will gain insight into the current EU funding landscape as well as what the future could hold. Climate Alliance representatives will showcase project ideas that are in the pipeline and how members can get involved. Interested cities and towns are also invited to present their project ideas and find potential project partners. Want to make use of this session specifically for your project? Get in touch with us and let us know about your ideas!
Don’t want to miss out on CAIC26? Secure your spot today!