City of Pordenone

The Italian Municipality of Pordenone (51,000 inhabitants) aims to lead the transition towards sustainable energy. In this context, it intends to promote energy savings and to implement renewable energies on its territory as a way of limiting ongoing climate change. The municipality already collaborates with several European networks, including Energy Cities (since 2008). It also participates in projects like 50 000 & 1 SEAPs, thanks to which the Sustainable Energy and Air Plan of Pordenone was adopted. Finally, since 2015, the city has been a signatory and member of the European Covenant of Mayors for Energy and Climate.

Pordenone’s vision uses an integrated and cross-sectoral strategy

To develop its territory in a sustainable way, the municipality uses an integrated and cross-sectoral approach. In its municipal land management master plan (2021), the city is viewed as an organism where only broad and deep interaction between sectors can produce real change over time. Therefore, the city promotes a decarbonised circular economy.

Energy and transport: priorities to reach a net zero city

In addition to promoting a decarbonised circular economy, one of its main strategic points is to increase commitment to energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. In order to reduce energy consumption and reach carbon neutrality, Pordenone relies on the restoration of its old buildings and encourages the creation of energy communities – to develop a local energy production – as well as digital infrastructure.

In terms of energy savings, a complex system of short- and long-term initiatives in the transport sector aims at reducing the use of private cars and mitigating the harmful effects of roads in the urban context. The final objective for Pordenone is to gradually cease oil consumption. As an alternative, Pordenone has set up an electric car fleet and thanks to a regional public-private partnership, car-sharing services.

Sources: the municipality’s official website; Eltis’ article