A global challenge that can be tackled at a local level

Until May 27th, the date on which Observador organizes the Cities Summit , we challenge some experts to write about the challenges of the cities of the future. Entry to the event is free, upon registration, which can be done HERE .

The cities of the future face a complex challenge that we cannot ignore or postpone any longer: ensuring the quality of life of citizens on a planet increasingly affected by climate change, resource scarcity and biodiversity loss. This challenge, although global, can be tackled at a local level. But this is not an easy path: making cities greener and more resilient and reducing emissions requires leadership and political involvement, a commitment to innovation and, above all, an active commitment to environmental education, encouraging citizen participation.

In this context, Guimarães has positioned itself over the last decade as a reference in the climate transition. Through environmental policies and an integrated and collaborative sustainable approach, we are charting an innovative path with the aim of achieving climate neutrality by 2030. This goal is a shared responsibility in which every citizen, every company and every institution has a fundamental role to play. In this journey, it is important to celebrate the international recognition of Guimarães and its election as European Green Capital 2026 .

A good example of this shared responsibility is the Guimarães Climate Pact, a joint effort that seeks to bring together and support companies, particularly SMEs, in this climate transition. It is a commitment to decarbonising the territory through the adoption of more sustainable behaviours, sustainable resource management, soft mobility, energy transition and circular economy.

At this point, I would like to highlight the work of the Landscape Laboratory, as a research, innovation and education centre, which has been important, together with other municipal partners, in supporting our public policies through science. I would like to highlight the importance we have given to environmental education, through the PEGADAS programme, which has been running for a decade in schools and the community and through which Guimarães has promoted an increase in the population's climate literacy, encouraging more sustainable behaviour among citizens and schools.

This commitment is also reflected in innovative initiatives aimed at decarbonisation and the creation of sustainable communities, such as Bairro C, a pilot urban area for social and environmental innovation where integrated solutions towards climate neutrality are being planned and implemented in close collaboration with citizens, universities and local organisations. The idea is to create a space that is a “living laboratory” of ideas based on the pillars of culture, creativity, knowledge and science, enabling innovation and experimentation in areas such as energy, mobility, waste and green areas.

This ecosystem is also joined by projects such as Desporto Carbono Zero – which challenges clubs, athletes, managers and fans to take an active role in climate neutrality –, the RRRCICLO strategy, which promotes the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste, and the PAYT (Pay As You Throw) system, which encourages more efficient and responsible management of urban waste.

Guimarães’ climate journey is living proof that the future of cities is built with vision, collective commitment and local actions with real impact. We continue with the ambition of making Guimarães a one-planet city, where resources are managed as efficiently as possible and where citizens have a good quality of life.

Sofia Ferreira has a degree in International Relations. She was the managing director of the Regional Tourism Authority of Porto and Northern Portugal and is currently a councillor at Guimarães City Council, responsible for the Environment and Urban Services, Civil Protection, Human Resources and Tourism.