Taking the First Steps on Local Climate Action

Across Europe, cities are where climate action becomes real. Decisions about transport, buildings, energy systems, and green spaces are made locally, and these choices shape everyday life for residents. In fact, urban areas are responsible for around 70% of global emissions, which makes cities one of the most important arenas for climate solutions.

But understanding what a city is actually doing on climate can sometimes feel complicated. Climate plans are long documents, responsibilities are spread across departments, and it is not always clear how residents can engage.

To make this easier, Climate Reality Europe has developed two practical tools to support our network and local communities: the City Climate Action Assessment Guidebook and the City Climate Action Assessment Checklist.

The Guidebook: understanding the bigger picture

The City Climate Action Assessment Guidebook is designed as an introduction to local climate governance. It helps residents understand where to look when assessing climate action in their city.

The guidebook walks through several key areas that shape local emissions and resilience, including:

• climate commitments and strategies

• transport and mobility

• energy and buildings

• nature and resilience

• community engagement

• governance and finance

Its purpose is not to judge cities or produce rankings. Instead, it helps residents observe, understand, and ask informed questions about how climate action is planned and implemented locally.

The Checklist: turning observation into action

Building on the guidebook, we are now launching the City Climate Action Assessment Checklist.

The checklist is a simple add-on designed to help individuals and Climate Hubs take their first practical steps in exploring climate action in their city.

Most questions in the checklist can be answered with Yes, No, or Not sure, which makes it easy to start even without detailed knowledge. “Not sure” is often a useful result - it highlights areas where more information, transparency, or dialogue may be needed.

The checklist also introduces a reflection layer called the City Life Lens, which encourages users to think about the everyday concerns residents face - such as energy bills, traffic, heat, air quality, or access to green space - and how climate solutions could help address these issues.

This helps ensure that climate action is connected not only to emissions reductions, but also to improving quality of life in cities.

Small steps that make a difference

You don’t need to complete the checklist all at once. In fact, the most effective way to start is with small, simple actions.

Here are a few ideas you could try with your Climate Hub - or even on your own.

Take a “climate observatory walk”

Walking through your city with a climate lens can reveal a lot. Notice things like:

• bike lanes and public transport infrastructure

• solar panels or building renovations

• shaded areas or lack of trees

• flood-prone areas or heat-exposed streets

Look at your city’s climate plan

Many cities have adopted climate strategies or declared climate emergencies. Ask yourself:

• Does your city have a climate plan?

• Are there signs that it is being implemented?

• Is progress reported publicly?

Observe how climate action is communicated

Is it easy for residents to learn what the city is doing? Look for:

• updates on the municipal website

• public consultations or workshops

• climate-related announcements or campaigns.

Connect with others

Local climate action rarely happens in isolation. You might consider:

• reaching out to someone in the municipality working on sustainability

• connecting with local citizen groups

• discussing the checklist together with your Climate Hub.

Turning insight into action

The goal of these tools is simple: to help turn curiosity into action.

When residents begin to observe, ask questions, and connect climate solutions with everyday concerns, local climate action becomes stronger and more inclusive. Even small steps - reading a climate plan, organizing a walk, or starting a conversation - can open the door to meaningful change.

If you’re interested in exploring climate action in your city, you can start by downloading the City Climate Action Assessment Guidebook and Checklist and trying one of the simple steps above.