ICLEI Europe Leader Discusses Cities, Industry, and Climate Action
In an interview, Holger Robrecht of ICLEI Europe explains how local governments can act as strategic partners for clean industry and climate neutrality. He highlights City-Industry Dialogues that aim to match urban demand for low-carbon products with European production capacity. The discussion also addresses barriers businesses face in turning climate ambitions into measurable action.
ICLEI Europe connects local and regional authorities and focuses on changing cities and regions, especially making them resilient to climate change and carbon-neutral. Holger Robrecht is a senior policy and advocacy adviser there, guiding work on sustainable municipalities and communities. The interview is part of SustainabilityOnline's first Ambition Into Action report, which features senior leaders at the decade's halfway point.
Together with Climate-KIC and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, ICLEI Europe runs City-Industry Dialogues in EU countries. The aim is to connect demand for low-carbon goods in city transition plans with what European manufacturers can produce, so firms can plan output better and advance economic, social and environmental aims jointly.
If city-industry dialogues gain traction, urban residents could benefit from cleaner transport, buildings and energy, while local firms and manufacturers may find clearer demand signals and more stable planning. Workers and communities tied to high-carbon sectors might face transition pressures, depending on how procurement and investment decisions unfold. The initiative may also influence how public authorities and businesses share responsibility for climate goals, though its practical effect will depend on implementation, financing and regulatory follow-through.