Let’s meet SPARKLE’s cities: Vilnius

Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, one of Europe’s greenest places. Renowned for its rich history and charming old town, the city is becoming increasingly popular as a vibrant destination with a thriving arts and culture scene.

Its commitment to reaching climate neutrality by 2030 positions it as a role model in the Baltic area. Indeed, Vilnius is one of the 100 Mission Cities and has been awarded the title of European Green Capital 2025 by the European Commission.

We asked SPARKLE’s local partner AMIESTAS to guide us through its sustainable journeys.

How is Vilnius working to implement the green transition?

Vilnius is committed to becoming a model for sustainable urban development by prioritising renewable energy and green technologies. The city is investing in solar and wind energy projects, modernising heating networks to phase out fossil fuels, and setting ambitious emission reduction goals for 2030. Residents are committed as well. From installing solar panels to participating in energy communities and choosing public transport or electric cars, they are fully involved in this common effort.

Indeed, the municipality works hard to inform citizens about the importance of sustainable living and promotes initiatives like zero-waste stores and educational programmes on sustainability. Additionally, Vilnius has become a hub for green innovation, with projects aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions.

The city’s vision for the future includes further investment in renewable energy and sustainable urban planning. These efforts not only reduce the city’s environmental impact but also attract investment and improve the quality of life for its residents.

Which challenges is the city facing?

One of the biggest challenges is reducing carbon emissions, especially in the transport sector (38%), electricity consumption (25%), and central heating (17%).

Why have you joined SPARKLE? What’s your role and expectations?

We have joined SPARKLE for a few reasons. Firstly, we believe our partner cities can benefit from our expertise in coordinating renovation projects in Vilnius using a one-stop shop model and thus contribute to the clean energy transition in Europe. Secondly, we want to learn from other pilot cities and adopt their good practices, especially concerning energy retrofitting, energy poverty, and sustainable use of resources.

AMIESTAS is responsible for the pillar Fossil-free districts and buildings. Together with FEDARENE, we co-organise the summer school, including a study visit to get inspired by interesting projects.

We also hope to gain insights into the other pillars: governance, community energy, sustainable food, and resource-wise economies.