Differdange, the third biggest city of Luxembourg, is committed to becoming a climate-neutral city by 2030 as part of the EU’s NetZeroCities initiative. Key efforts include improving energy efficiency, increasing the use of renewable energy, promoting sustainable transport and reducing waste. Public engagement is central, with e.g. workshops involving citizens in policy-making.
Aim
NetZeroCities is a platform supporting the European Union’s mission “100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities” and was launched as part of the Horizon Europe programme. It aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2030, bringing together 34 partners like city networks and research organisations from 13 countries. As part of this initiative, Differdange’s goal is to reach climate neutrality by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy efficiency, and expanding renewable energy use, while ensuring social and economic sustainability for its inhabitants.
This aim is driven by the growing need to address climate change, particularly in urban areas which are responsible for a significant portion of global carbon emissions and are the usually densely populated. Differdange’s involvement in NetZeroCities shows its commitment to leading climate action in Luxembourg and beyond, aiming to become a greener, more sustainable city that can inspire others across Europe.
Beginnings
In March 2023, Differdange signed the Climate City Contract, a governance instrument strengthening the city’s commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2030 at all levels. This evolving document, shaped by input from local businesses, residents and environmental experts, serves as the city’s roadmap to a sustainable future.
The initiative addresses both local and global challenges – locally, by reducing air pollution, increasing energy efficiency and improving quality of life; and globally, by tackling climate change and reducing the city’s environmental footprint.
Activities
Differdange’s strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2030 focuses on five key objectives, which are central to its Climate City Contract:
- Improving Energy Efficiency: The city prioritises the renovation of buildings to enhance energy efficiency, and aiming to reduce overall energy consumption.
- Achieving Energy Autonomy: Differdange is committed to increasing its energy self-sufficiency by expanding the use of renewable energy. While solar energy has been emphasized in some of the city’s broader plans, the main objective is to reduce dependence on external energy sources by enhancing local renewable energy production.
- Reducing emissions from transportation: To decrease emissions from transportation, Differdange aims to reduce individual car use by promoting sustainable mobility options.
- Reducing Waste: The NetZeroCities network encourages the implementation of measures that limit waste generation, contributing to the overall sustainability of its operations and ensuring resources are managed more efficiently.
- Offsetting CO₂ Emissions: For emissions that cannot be directly eliminated, Differdange is committed to compensating for its carbon output through local offset projects.
“NetZero is not just Differdange’s project, it’s everyone’s”: The city focuses on engaging its citizens in this transition. Through public workshops like “Energy savings in my household” and “Sorting, circular economy, and waste prevention”, inhabitants are invited to contribute to the co-creation of climate solutions. Community involvement is crucial to the success of such climate initiatives, ensuring that the transition is inclusive and reflects the needs of the population.
One of several measures e.g. was the inauguration of the first “City Tree”, a moss filter installation in July 2024 on Place des Alliés. They do not only filter CO2, clean and humidify the air and thus improve air quality but also provide shade and seating.
Additionally, Differdange participates in the FUSILLI project which is funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme and focuses on creating sustainable food systems. Over four years, the project supports 12 cities in developing sustainable, healthy, and inclusive food systems through open innovation Living Labs, empowering them to implement innovative actions across the entire food chain and sharing knowledge via an open community. These activities are aligned with the goals set out in the Climate City Contract under the NetZeroCities initiative.
Outlook
The NetZeroCities network provides valuable access to international expertise and resources, helping the participating cities navigate technical and financial challenges. Differdange’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2030, as part of this initiative, is based on the objectives of improving energy efficiency, expanding renewable energy, promoting sustainable transport, and reducing waste. The city’s strategy is shaped not only by these technical measures but also by active citizen involvement, ensuring that the transition reflects the needs and priorities of its residents. Through public workshops e.g., Differdange is fostering a sense of shared responsibility in tackling climate change.
By maintaining this collaborative and inclusive approach, Differdange is positioning itself as a model for other cities in Luxembourg and across Europe, demonstrating that small urban centres can take action in achieving sustainability. Through these efforts, Differdange is not only reducing its environmental footprint but also setting an example of how cities can balance growth and environmental responsibility in the fight against climate change.
References
Ville de Differdange (English, French, German): https://differdange.lu/en/live/environment/projects/netzerocities/
Net Zero Déifferdeng 2030 (English): https://netzero2030.lu/en/
Inauguration of the first “City Tree” (English, French, German): https://differdange.lu/en/improving-the-air-naturally/
FUSILLI project (English): https://fusilli-project.eu/
Net Zero Cities (English): https://netzerocities.eu/
EU Mission: Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe/climate-neutral-and-smart-cities_en
This post was written by Marcela Mäder Furtado and Kirsti Hagemann