DUT at Smart City Expo in Barcelona

4 November 2026

From Ambition to Implementation: Urban Climate Action Across Sectors

Session, Urban Systems stage

15:15 - 16:00

Cities have made bold climate commitments, but when it comes to implementation, they cannot do it alone. Realising climate-neutral cities requires effective collaboration between municipalities, research institutions, and the private sector.

This event explores how cities, business, and research can collaborate to turn urban climate ambitions into real implementation. Bringing together Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) and NetZeroCities, the session highlights practical pathways for climate-neutral cities by 2030. Participants will gain insights into city–business–research partnerships, real-world barriers, financing opportunities, as well as best practices and ready-to-use solutions.

Speakers:

• Thomas Osdoba, Director, NetZeroCities
• Ander Bilbao, Partner and Project Coordinator at Ciclica (DUT project partner, Making PEDs)
• Ghazal Etminan,  Thematic Lead at AIT Austrian Institute of Technology (DUT project partner, Making PEDs)
• Yiannis Armeftis, Mayor at the City of Limassol, Cyprus

Moderator: 

• Orsolya Küttel, CEO of the Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) Partnership

UTM PED Sprint: Advancing Urban Energy Transitions Through Global Exchange

Session, EU Pavilion stage

16:00 - 16:30

How can Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) support urban energy transitions across diverse contexts? This session marks the launch of a new UTM-DUT publication on PEDs, bringing together insights from research, policy and urban practice. Based on findings from more than 100 European pilots, the publication draws from experiences from cities around the world, and explores how the PED approach is being developed and adapted to different urban, climatic and socio-economic conditions. The discussion will highlight practical experiences, key success factors and the role of research and innovation in enabling district-scale energy transitions - from integrated energy systems and digital tools to governance, financing and community engagement. The session will also create space for mutual learning and exchange on how cities and research communities can advance PEDs in different contexts.

Speakers:

• Miriam Badino, UTM
• Orsolya Küttel, DUT
• (TBC)

3 - 5 November 2026

Booth: DUT projects Showcase Innovations and Project Results