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Philosophy
Taking local action on the global climate crisis
With over 2,000 members from more than 25 countries, Climate Alliance is the Europe’s largest city network committed to comprehensive and just climate action.
From small rural towns to metropolises inhabited by millions and entire regions, Climate Alliance members undertand that the climate crisis is a global challenge requiring local solutions. Since its founding, Climate Alliance has not only brought together European regions, cities and towns, supporting them with their local climate strategies, but has also linked European climate efforts with support for the indigenous peoples of the Amazonia.
Climate Alliance’s collaboration is unique, allowing both sides to network, exchange ideas and learn from one another. While it may come as a surprise, indigenous peoples find themselves in a position quite similar to regional and local governments – they, too, must manage their territories. Their knowledge, perspectives and experience in the sustainable management of their environment are essential to the protection of our global climate!
Climate Alliance – more than 35 years of local climate action
The cornerstone for Climate Alliance was laid in 1990, when representatives from German, Austrian and Swiss municipalities met with representatives of indigenous organisations from Amazonia in Frankfurt. Since then, their shared motivation has been to take local action against the advancing climate crisis. More than 35 years later, Climate Alliance has grown into a network with some 2,000 members across Europe; a European secretariat with three locations in Frankfurt am Main, Berlin and Brussels; seven national coordination offices in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal and Switzerland; and Climate Alliance Services, a complementary organisational structure under which many of Climate Alliance’s tools and campaigns are run.
Talk is good, action is better!
By joining our network, regions and municipalities commit themselves to continually reduce greenhouse gas emissions, striving for a 95 % reduction by 2050 compared to 1990 levels, in line with IPCC recommendations. In addition, members commit to effective and sustainable climate action in line with Climate Alliance principles. These goals set our network apart. In achieving them, we define the ‘how’ together with and for our member municipalities from across Europe. The solutions exist, now it’s time to take action! And that is precisely why we offer our members concrete recommendations along with practical support for successful municipal climate action.
Our network’s commitment
Carrying out effective, comprehensive and just climate action in line with Climate Alliance principles – fair, nature-based, local, resource-efficient and diverse.
Promoting climate justice together with indigenous peoples of Amazonia – by supporting their rights, protecting biodiversity and abstaining from the use of unsustainably managed timber.
Continually reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10% every five years while striving for a 95% cut by 2050 as compared to 1990 levels, in line with IPCC recommendations.
Janine Müller
Climate protection manager, City of Haan (DE)
“When it comes to climate action, we bear responsibility not only for our own well-being, but also for that of people in the least developed countries in the Global South, who have contributed marginally to climate change but are often the worst affected by it.”
Johannes Hill
Former Climate and Environmental Protection Officer, City of Trier (DE)
“When I wrote the city council proposal to join the Climate Alliance 30 years ago, I had no idea what impact it would have. Climate Alliance brought together the pioneers of the time and has since developed tools that provide concrete help in implementing the principle of thinking globally and acting locally. Thank you and keep up the good work!”
Monika Meves
Climate Protection Management, City of Leichlingen (DE)
“Climate Alliance’s goals motivate me to push for a climate-resilient urban society and administration and to move forward with the necessary transformation. I want to get people on board and win them over with my ideas. For a climate-active Leichlingen.”
Foundational documents
Annual reports
An overview of Climate Alliance’s impact reports throughout the last years
Climate Alliance informational leaflet
Your network for municipal climate action and a liveable future!
Resolutions & declarations
Overview of all resolutions and declarations adopted by the membership
Climate Alliance Member Charter
Goals and recommendations for municipal climate action (September 2021)
Statues
Network statues (last updated July 2025)
Rules of procedure
Basic rules governing work within the Climate Alliance
(last updated July 2025)
Bolzano Declaration
Climate Alliance manifesto on the goals of the network
(adopted in 2000)
