This event has ended.
- climate change
- Wednesday 19 March 2025, 08:30 - 16:30 (CET)
- Brussels, Belgium
Media
Over 500 citizens, policymakers, businesses and community leaders gathered in Brussels to share ideas and examples of best practices for local climate actionOver 500 citizens, policymakers, businesses and community leaders gathered in Brussels to share ideas and examples of best practices for local climate action 
The annual event provided an opportunity for members of the Pact community to connect, collaborate, and get inspiredThe annual event provided an opportunity for members of the Pact community to connect, collaborate, and get inspired 
Event participants brought their energy and enthusiasm to every session, sharing ideas and engaging in meaningful discussions about climate actionEvent participants brought their energy and enthusiasm to every session, sharing ideas and engaging in meaningful discussions about climate action 
Breakout sessions gave attendees space to exchange ideas and explore practical ways to strengthen local climate actionBreakout sessions gave attendees space to exchange ideas and explore practical ways to strengthen local climate action 
The smaller groups offered space for open, informal conversations, giving participants the chance to ask questions, exchange ideas and get inspired by new perspectivesThe smaller groups offered space for open, informal conversations, giving participants the chance to ask questions, exchange ideas and get inspired by new perspectives 
Young people shared their insights in a session that explored youth leadership, education, and climate entrepreneurshipYoung people shared their insights in a session that explored youth leadership, education, and climate entrepreneurship 
Workshops on topics like citizen science, climate adaptation, and community resilience gave participants a chance to share their insights and collaborate on innovative solutionsWorkshops on topics like citizen science, climate adaptation, and community resilience gave participants a chance to share their insights and collaborate on innovative solutions 
During the ‘Drawing solutions’ session, speakers presented the CLI-MIC project, exploring how comics can be used as a creative tool to engage young people in climate actionDuring the ‘Drawing solutions’ session, speakers presented the CLI-MIC project, exploring how comics can be used as a creative tool to engage young people in climate action 
Community members got their creative juices flowing in the workshop 'Drawing solutions: Art and comics for climate action’Community members got their creative juices flowing in the workshop 'Drawing solutions: Art and comics for climate action’ 
Participants collaborated in a hands-on workshop using a visual ‘climate action tree’ to map out ideas, needs and opportunities for community engagementParticipants collaborated in a hands-on workshop using a visual ‘climate action tree’ to map out ideas, needs and opportunities for community engagement 
Workshops delved into topics like green tech, circular economy, community-led sustainability, intergenerational policy action and creative business modelsWorkshops delved into topics like green tech, circular economy, community-led sustainability, intergenerational policy action and creative business models 
Members of the Climate Pact community discussed challenges for climate action and solutions to overcome themMembers of the Climate Pact community discussed challenges for climate action and solutions to overcome them 
Attendees appreciated the quality of the discussions and the openness of the exchanges, with each session offering new ideas and perspectivesAttendees appreciated the quality of the discussions and the openness of the exchanges, with each session offering new ideas and perspectives 
Participants reflected the diversity, energy and shared commitment of the Climate Pact communityParticipants reflected the diversity, energy and shared commitment of the Climate Pact community 
Panel discussions throughout the day brought together EU officials, experts and community voices, creating space for honest dialogue, questions and shared solutionsPanel discussions throughout the day brought together EU officials, experts and community voices, creating space for honest dialogue, questions and shared solutions 
Skilled moderators helped connect ideas and keep the energy flowing throughout the day, creating space for diverse voices and dialogue on stageSkilled moderators helped connect ideas and keep the energy flowing throughout the day, creating space for diverse voices and dialogue on stage 
European Climate Pact Ambassadors took part in the day’s conversations with openness and enthusiasm – contributing expertise, connecting with the community, and sharing in its lighter momentsEuropean Climate Pact Ambassadors took part in the day’s conversations with openness and enthusiasm – contributing expertise, connecting with the community, and sharing in its lighter moments 
Lively contributions from the floor added depth to the discussions, as participants responded to speakers and brought their own perspectives into the roomLively contributions from the floor added depth to the discussions, as participants responded to speakers and brought their own perspectives into the room 
Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra joined Ambassadors Sara Segantin and Sasha Bezuhanova on stage for a conversation about climate ambition, collaboration, and the power of community leadershipCommissioner Wopke Hoekstra joined Ambassadors Sara Segantin and Sasha Bezuhanova on stage for a conversation about climate ambition, collaboration, and the power of community leadership 
The Commissioner discussed the EU’s climate priorities and the role of communities in driving the green transitionThe Commissioner discussed the EU’s climate priorities and the role of communities in driving the green transition 
Pact Ambassadors Sara Segantin and Sasha Bezuhanova offered a community perspective on ambition, inclusion and actionPact Ambassadors Sara Segantin and Sasha Bezuhanova offered a community perspective on ambition, inclusion and action 
The European Climate Pact community gathered for a selfie at the end of the keynote session with European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke HoekstraThe European Climate Pact community gathered for a selfie at the end of the keynote session with European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra 
Participants from across Europe attended the event, bringing energy, ideas and optimism to the conversation on climate actionParticipants from across Europe attended the event, bringing energy, ideas and optimism to the conversation on climate action 
Panel discussions were filled with dynamic exchanges, as experts and participants came together to explore climate solutionsPanel discussions were filled with dynamic exchanges, as experts and participants came together to explore climate solutions 
Attendees engaged thoughtfully with the ideas and insights shared, creating space for reflection and meaningful dialogueAttendees engaged thoughtfully with the ideas and insights shared, creating space for reflection and meaningful dialogue 
The Climate Pact community enriched the conversation by asking thoughtful questions and drawing links to their own areas of work and experienceThe Climate Pact community enriched the conversation by asking thoughtful questions and drawing links to their own areas of work and experience 
Kurt Vandenberghe, Director-General for DG Climate Action, took part in a panel with Climate Pact Ambassadors and experts to discuss the future of climate actionKurt Vandenberghe, Director-General for DG Climate Action, took part in a panel with Climate Pact Ambassadors and experts to discuss the future of climate action 
Panellists discussed the importance of accelerating an inclusive transition through innovationPanellists discussed the importance of accelerating an inclusive transition through innovation 
Speakers brought honesty, clarity and energy to the stage, with powerful contributions that sparked reflection and exchange among participantsSpeakers brought honesty, clarity and energy to the stage, with powerful contributions that sparked reflection and exchange among participants 
Youth speakers took the stage to share insights, present data and spark discussion – bringing fresh energy and clear priorities to the conversationYouth speakers took the stage to share insights, present data and spark discussion – bringing fresh energy and clear priorities to the conversation 
Climate Pact Ambassador Barasa Daniel shared a powerful call to action emphasising the importance of equity, inclusion, and community-driven climate leadershipClimate Pact Ambassador Barasa Daniel shared a powerful call to action emphasising the importance of equity, inclusion, and community-driven climate leadership 
Event participants listened closely, exchanged ideas, and built on each other’s experiencesEvent participants listened closely, exchanged ideas, and built on each other’s experiences 
The sense of community and camaraderie was strong throughout the eventThe sense of community and camaraderie was strong throughout the event 
Climate Pact Ambassadors and Partners wore colour-coded lanyards and badges to make it easier to connect and foster future collaborationClimate Pact Ambassadors and Partners wore colour-coded lanyards and badges to make it easier to connect and foster future collaboration 
Attendees reconnected with familiar faces from the Climate Pact community, while also building new connections, sparking fresh synergies and collaborative opportunitiesAttendees reconnected with familiar faces from the Climate Pact community, while also building new connections, sparking fresh synergies and collaborative opportunities 
The ‘Capture your climate action’ photo exhibition invited visitors to connect with stories of climate action from across Europe, showing how local action adds up to create a big impactThe ‘Capture your climate action’ photo exhibition invited visitors to connect with stories of climate action from across Europe, showing how local action adds up to create a big impact 
The Climate Action Village showcased a huge range of EU climate action initiatives and innovative projects from the Climate Pact communityThe Climate Action Village showcased a huge range of EU climate action initiatives and innovative projects from the Climate Pact community 
Maltese duo ‘Berne’, featuring European Climate Ambassador Deborah Borg Brincat, performed their indie-electronic music, sparking conversations about climate actionMaltese duo ‘Berne’, featuring European Climate Ambassador Deborah Borg Brincat, performed their indie-electronic music, sparking conversations about climate action 
A musical performance using violin, voice, and a banana-powered instrument brought creativity and curiosity to the stage – reminding participants that climate action can also be playful, surprising, and collaborativeA musical performance using violin, voice, and a banana-powered instrument brought creativity and curiosity to the stage – reminding participants that climate action can also be playful, surprising, and collaborative 
Attendees made the most of the event’s social media corner, capturing photos together and staying connected through hashtags and live posting, reinforcing the community spiritAttendees made the most of the event’s social media corner, capturing photos together and staying connected through hashtags and live posting, reinforcing the community spirit 
The spirit of the Climate Pact was echoed both online and in-person, as participants shared ideas, moments and messages throughout the event using #EUClimatePact and #MyWorldOurPlanetThe spirit of the Climate Pact was echoed both online and in-person, as participants shared ideas, moments and messages throughout the event using #EUClimatePact and #MyWorldOurPlanet
Practical information
- When
- Wednesday 19 March 2025, 08:30 - 16:30 (CET)
- Where
- Charlemagne BuildingRue de la Loi 170, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
- Languages
- English
Description
On 19 March 2025, members of the Climate Pact community gathered in Brussels to lead and participate in sessions on key topics such as climate adaptation, youth activism, inclusive climate action, overcoming eco-anxiety, and AI’s role in driving climate action. Attendees from across the community and the wider public heard personal stories from the frontlines of climate action and enjoyed valuable networking opportunities with changemakers from across Europe.
In the afternoon, a conversation with Wopke Hoekstra, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, focused on the EU’s latest initiatives. This was followed by a panel discussion with Kurt Vandenberghe, Director-General for DG Climate Action, on innovative solutions to accelerate an inclusive transition.
View the detailed event programme.
- A conversation with Wopke Hoekstra, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, on the EU’s latest initiatives.
- Panel discussion with Kurt Vandenberghe, Director-General for DG Climate Action, on innovative solutions to accelerate an inclusive transition.
- Breakout sessions organised by the Climate Pact Community:
- Turning global goals into local action: How we can adapt to the impacts of climate change
- Youth leading climate action: Education for a sustainable future
- Breaking down barriers: Fostering inclusive climate action
- From fear to action: Overcoming eco-anxiety (Workshop – Limited capacity)
- Citizen science: Harnessing its power for climate action
- Youth entrepreneurship: Building a sustainable future
- AI for climate action: How to enhance citizen engagement
- Drawing solutions: Art and comics for climate action (Workshop)
- Climate action village of EU initiatives and cutting-edge projects from Community members.
- Live music performances offered by the Pact.