In 2022, Ljubljana became part of the European Commission's Mission 100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities 2030 programme, which aims to support and accelerate the progress of Europe's most ambitious cities that would inspire all cities in Europe to start their path to climate neutrality. Out of 377 cities that applied, 100 cities have been selected to act as experimental and innovation lighthouses, benefiting from support and advice, advantages in accessing EU funding, participation in innovation activities through pilot and demonstration projects, networking opportunities, exchange of best practices and high visibility. On their path cities are monitored and guided by the European Commission in their transformation towards climate neutrality by 2030.

Under the Mission 100 programme in November 2023, we opened the Ljubljana Innovation Hub, a one-stop shop uniting academia, NGOs, businesses, and citizens to co-create sustainable solutions. Its purpose is to shift mindsets by encouraging small, immediate actions that build lasting habits.

Located in the old town, the Hub organizes lectures, workshops, and a variety of other events to spark debate, raise awareness, and expand knowledge. It aims to build broad support for climate goals (such as sustainable mobility, impact of a green urban environment in regard to standard of living conditions of Ljubljana’s inhabitants, circular strategy goals etc.) and promote a culture of sustainability, ensuring an inclusive green transition.

On the path to climate neutrality

In 2024 Ljubljana received the label of Climate neutral and Smart city, which means that the Climate City Contract is transitioning into the implementation phase of the Mission 100 programme. The Climate City Contract is an extensive document with three interlinked components: Commitments, Actions, and Investments.
Ljubljana Climate City Contract focuses on the following pillars:

• energy systems (Decarbonisation of heat supply energy sources, Green energy production, sustainable electricity grid, increasing energy efficiency, improving energy management, negative emissions, construction of an incinerator etc.).
• mobility and transport (improving public transport, improving green mobility and accessibility management, decarbonising road and other motor vehicles, improving green mobility and managing accessibility, Improving infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians etc.)
• waste and circular economy (waste reduction, integrated and sustainable waste management, etc.)
• green infrastructure and nature-based solutions (sustainable urban planning and construction, urban greening and green and blue infrastructure, forest management, sustainable agriculture and agricultural policy, nature-based solutions, etc.)
• digitisation (urban digital platform, smart digital solutions, digital tools for management, planning and implementation of urban policies, administration and economy, etc.)
• built environment (sustainable building and infrastructure renovation, spatial planning and land management, etc.)
• social innovation (integrative approaches to social innovation, collaboration, and inclusion)

Slovenian cities in the Mission 100

In addition to Ljubljana, two other Slovenian cities have also been chosen for the programme - Kranj and Velenje. In November 2022, the Commitment to establish a Slovenian partnership under the Mission 100 programme was signed by all three Mayors in Ljubljana’s the Cukrarna Gallery. In 2023, all three cities were joined to work in the first pilot project of the Mission 100, named UP-SCALE. In this pilot, cities experimented with innovative solutions in the fields of mobility, energy retrofitting of buildings and excess heat in district heating systems to significantly reduce emissions in each city. In 2025, Ljubljana will embark on the follow up pilot project under Mission 100, named SHIFT. The project will focus on engagement and participation of all stakeholders and aim to promote sustainable habits and lifestyles.