Location
The Warehouse by IT Quarter, Limassol
Language
English with simultaneous Greek translation available
Language
English with simultaneous Greek translation available
Climate Neutral Blue Cities by 2030: Accelerating Local Change - Η Λεμεσός στην Πορεία για την Κλιματική Ουδετερότητα
“Climate Neutral Blue Cities by 2030: Accelerating Local Change under the EU Cities and Ocean Missions – Η Λεμεσός στην Πορεία για την Κλιματική Ουδετερότητα” is an Ιnternational Conference organised by the Municipality of Limassol in the framework of the EU Mission for 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030, with the support of the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters. Under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026, the conference brings together European and local leaders, policy-makers, and experts to explore how port and coastal cities can rapidly advance towards climate neutrality. Participants include representatives from the European Commission, municipalities, national authorities, research institutions, industry, investors and civil society, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and strategic partnerships.
As a port city at the crossroads of Europe and the Mediterranean, Limassol is taking a leading role in driving the green and digital transition towards sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban development. As one of the EU Mission’s 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, Limassol hosts this international forum to highlight the opportunities, challenges and innovations shaping the green and blue transition of port and coastal cities.
Following the launch of the EU Agenda for Cities and the EU Ports Strategy, the two-day conference addresses key themes such as port–city decarbonisation, sustainable urban mobility, renewable energy systems, financing climate-neutral cities, smart grids and energy communities, coastal restoration and resilience, social cohesion, energy justice, affordable housing, integrated urban planning and the New European Bauhaus.
The conference aims to accelerate transformative action and strengthen cooperation towards climate-neutral, resilient, and liveable blue cities across Europe. It is expected to attract local, regional, and international attention and to host leading European figures from governance, policy, research, and key economic sectors.
CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
Focusing on climate neutrality, urban resilience and sustainable economic development, the conference serves as a high-level platform for dialogue, collaboration and knowledge exchange among all key actors driving the green and blue transition.
Conference Objectives
- Strengthen collective understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the green and blue transition for cities
- Highlight Limassol’s role as a model Mission City, while identifying the needs and tools required to accelerate the transition to climate neutrality
- Promote collaboration and co-creation of solutions across sectors, levels of governance and European city networks
Main Conference Themes
- Limassol’s pathway towards climate neutrality by 2030
- Port-city integration and climate-smart maritime operations
- Coastal resilience and adaptation to climate impacts
- Energy transition, including offshore renewable energy, smart grids and clean power supply for ships
- Sustainable urban mobility and integrated transport systems
- Smart infrastructure, innovation and digitalisation as accelerators of sustainable urban development
- Financing tools and investment models for mission-driven coastal and port cities, including public–private partnerships
- Social inclusion, social cohesion and energy justice in the urban transition
- Public spaces, urban design and the New European Bauhaus
- Alignment with European policies, projects and city networks, and exchange of best practices, pilot projects and research outcomes
- Collaborative, mission-oriented governance models engaging cities, ports, businesses, research and civil society
WHY ATTEND
✔️ Learn from Europe’s frontrunners
Hear directly from EU Mission Cities, European Commission representatives and leading experts shaping the transition to climate-neutral, resilient port and coastal cities.
✔️ Gain practical insights for implementation
Explore real-world solutions, governance models and financing tools that help translate EU policies and Mission objectives into concrete local action.
✔️ Engage at the intersection of cities, ports and the blue economy
Discover how port–city integration, maritime decarbonisation and coastal restoration can accelerate climate action and urban resilience.
✔️ Access expertise on funding and investment
Understand how to mobilise public and private capital for climate-neutral projects, including insights from financial institutions and successful city examples.
✔️ Connect with decision-makers and innovators
Network with European and local leaders, municipalities, researchers, industry, investors and civil society working across the EU Cities and Ocean Missions.
✔️ Shape the future of climate-neutral blue cities
Contribute to high-level discussions that will influence policy, partnerships and innovation pathways towards climate-neutral, liveable and inclusive cities by 2030.
Speakers
Agenda
Day 1 – Thursday 19 March 2026 - Vision, Challenges & Cross-Sector Collaboration
- Integrated smart and shared mobility options to reduce car-dependence – Maria Kamargianni, Director and Founder of MaaSLab, Hon. Professor of Transport Systems Innovation & Sustainability, UCL
- Shaping Behavioural Change Beyond Private Car Use – Giovanni Circella, Head of EIT Urban Mobility Master School I BOF Professor of Mobility, Ghent University | Director, 3 Revolutions Future Mobility Program
- Designing Mobility hubs for Seamless and Sustainable Multimodality – Loucas Dimitriou, Associate Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Cyprus
Day 2 – Friday 20 March 2026 - Enabling the Transition: Finance, Energy, and Design for Climate-Neutral Blue Cities
- Plugging Ships into Cleaner Energy: Advancing Decarbonization at Limassol Port – Simon Pitout, CEO, DP World
- Perspectives and Strategies from the Port Industry – Athanasios Pallis, Professor, Jean Monnet Chair in European Port Policy, University of Piraeus
- Energy Transition Challenges: Overcoming Barriers – Prof. Andreas Poullikkas, Professor of Energy Systems, Frederick University
- Best Practices for Sustainable and Liveable Port–City Ecosystems – Carola Hein, Prof.dr.ing, TU Delft
- Energy Sharing and Optimization to Promote Net-Zero Ports – Sissy Windisch, Member of the Mission Board for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities
- From Rooftops to City-Scale Energy Systems – Desen Kirli, Research fellow, University of Edinburgh
- Energy Communities as the Social Engine of the Just Transition – Bob D’Haeseleer, City Advisor NetZeroCities, ICLEI
- Resilient Neighbourhoods
- Green and Recreational Spaces
- Energy Justice / Energy Poverty
- New European Bauhaus
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Partners
Venue Sponsor
Academic Partners
Transportation Partners
Supporters
Communication Sponsor
