On April 2nd, 2025, EURAC Research took part in the event “Addressing climate neutrality challenges through multilevel governance and a data-driven approach” held in Padova. The event, organized as a joint initiative by the LIFE NECPlatform and LIFE IN-PLAN projects, gathered public officials, experts, and representatives of European initiatives working on integrated planning and local climate action. The session focused on tools and experiences supporting multilevel governance for climate neutrality.
EURAC presented the PLENTY-Life project during the session on urban and energy transition strategies, emphasizing how data-driven approaches can support small and medium-sized municipalities in navigating complex climate goals. The intervention showcased how PLENTY-Life works alongside seven European cities – including Dolo and Castelfranco Veneto in Italy – to combine local energy data, participatory planning, and integrated tools for long-term urban energy strategies. Specific examples included workshops with citizens and local actors, baseline scenario modeling for 2030 and 2050, and the evaluation of multiple co-benefits such as improved public health, energy flexibility, and local resilience.
The presentation highlighted how, for municipalities of limited size, accessing EU-level opportunities and building effective local strategies can be challenging. PLENTY-Life offers a structured yet flexible framework that helps local governments understand their energy and emissions profiles, co-develop a shared future vision, and explore realistic actions to achieve it. The project continues to support the transition toward sustainability through collaboration, local knowledge, and practical, data-driven innovation.