Kickoff Event for the Building Decarbonisation Partnership
Key Insights from the Meeting
Alexandru Matei and Jonas Scholze welcomed the members of the Thematic Partnership on behalf of the European Urban Initiative (EUI), and Anton Schrag from the European Commission Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) who highlighted the partnership’s objectives and its alignment with the EU’s broader sustainability and climate neutrality goals.
The meeting featured insights from the partnership’s coordinators, Ighor Van de Vyver (City of Mechelen) and Dolore Huerta Carrascosa (Green Building Council España), who shared their experiences in urban greening and sustainable building practices. Participants were also introduced to the Thematic Partnership Officer (TPO), Sindi Haxhija, who will facilitate collaboration and guide the partnership’s work.
A key highlight of the session was the Tour de Table, where 19 partners from cities, regions, and organisations across Europe introduced themselves and shared their motivation for joining the partnership. This interactive segment provided a valuable opportunity to align expectations and strengthen the network of experts dedicated to building decarbonisation. The meeting also provided an opportunity to briefly present the processes, support service package and infrastructure of the Urban Agenda Partnerships and the envisaged timeline.
What's Next
Looking ahead, discussions focused on the Orientation Phase, including the development of an Orientation Paper, a strategic document that will define the Partnership's main challenges, objectives, and methodologies, based on the Ex-Ante Assessment. Moreover, details on the first in-person partnership meeting, were shared.
On the 26th-27th of May, 2025, Building Decarbonisation Partnership members will meet in Mechelen, Belgium, where discussions will focus on refining the Orientation Paper and shaping the next steps for the Partnership’s activities.
By fostering collaboration between cities, industry leaders, and experts, the partnership aims to develop innovative solutions, influence policy, and accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral built environment. With a strong foundation now in place, the partnership is set to embark on an ambitious journey to contribute to the European energy and climate goals, including the decarbonisation of the building stock by 2050.
For more information on the partnership’s activities and upcoming events, visit the Building Decarbonisation Partnership webpage.