The versatile climate budget training series are targeted at decision-makers, sustainability and climate experts, as well as financial staff in local administrations. The series of events bringing educational, networking, and practical learning experiences, are launched by the city network Union of the Baltic Cities – Sustainable Cities Commission.
The whole course, which started at the Climate Budget Summit #1 on 1 October 2025 in Malmö, includes one webinar, three online training events, one hands-on workshop, and it was concluded at the Climate Budget Summit #2 on 14 October 2026 in Brussels
You can receive a certificate upon the completion of this course! Participants eligible for a training certificate need to attend at least 3 training modules.
MODULE 1: Getting started with climate budgeting (ready)
Conference (1 October 2025, Malmö) & Webinar (2 December 2025)
How can climate budgeting support cities' directions for climate neutrality, what are different approaches to it, and where to begin? In the Module 1, we opened the discussion on urban climate governance and explored various approaches to climate budgeting through practical examples from Copenhagen, Bergen, Turku, Kraków, and Espoo. The Module 1 was organised as the Climate Budget Summit #1 and it was followed further with the recorded UBC TALKS webinar.
Catch up with the materials:
- Presentations from the Climate Budget Summit #1 on 1 October 2025 in Malmö
- Recording of the UBC TALKS webinar about climate budget (1:34:01) with attached presentations
MODULE 2: Obtaining mandate and setting cooperation (ready)
Online training (29 January 2026)
This module introduces how cities can begin climate budgeting in ways that reflect their local mandate and context – while meeting key prerequisites for success. Participants explore how to lay strong foundations, build internal capacity and foster cross-departmental cooperation. Practical examples from the cities Riga, Vienna and Norderstedt illustrate how different sectors can contribute climate actions and how collaboration enables tailored yet effective climate budgeting approaches.
- Recording of the Module 2 (1:57:40) on 29 January 2026 with attached presentations
MODULE 3: Climate actions portfolio and emissions data inventory (ready)
Online training (31 March 2026)
This module focuses on building a robust climate actions portfolio grounded in existing strategies and supported by credible emissions data with an example from a national level climate inventory from Denmark. Participants learn how emissions baselines and action-level calculations are developed, including data sources and emissions factors, and how challenges are addressed in practice, with examples from Östersund, Riga and Bytom.
- Recording of the Module 3 (1:59:49) on 31 March 2026 with attached presentations
- Fill in the form and be part of the mentoring exchange
MODULE 4: Analysing costs & benefits, building scenario and interpreting results (ready)
Online training (7 May 2026)
This module deepens climate budgeting by examining how to assess the financial costs and benefits of climate actions compared with business-as-usual scenarios. Participants explore different impact assessment methods used by cities of Tampere, Aarhus and Norderstedt, including cost-efficiency and cost–benefit analyses, and learn how these calculations are impacted by different scenarios. The module also demonstrates how results can be visualized and explained in an accessible way – ensuring that complex financial insights effectively support informed decision-making, with the Climate Action Decision Support (CADS) Tool developed in the Climate-4-CAST project.
- Recording of the Module 4 (2:02:51) on 7 May 2026 with attached presentations
- Fill in the form and be part of the mentoring exchange
MODULE 5: Practical application of decision support tool (ready)
Hands-on workshop (1-2 September 2026, Turku)
This hands-on workshop provided practical guidance how to set-up the CADS tool, developed in the Climate-4-CAST project. The special clinic session was based on a simulation case and involved a walk-through the tool, explanation of key charts and their meaning, and mini-scenarios. The 2nd day also featured best practice presentations, topical site visits, and city twinning opportunities.
- Recap of key presentations (1:37:30) from previous modules to prepare for discussions
- Materials from the workshop
MODULE 6: Climate budget for communicating with your Mayor and your Citizens (ready)
Conference (14 October 2026, Brussels)
This module, launched as the Climate Budget Summit #2 – the partner event of the EU Week of Regions and Cities, explored how climate budgeting can support climate neutrality by linking climate goals with decision-making, governance and financial planning. Through practical examples and strategic discussions, the Summit highlighted ways to make climate action more tangible and relatable, while emphasising the importance of cooperation, citizen engagement and cross-city learning in accelerating the transition to climate-neutral cities. Practical examples featured the cities of Liepaja, Turku, Hamburg, Riga, Tampere, Aarhus, and Östersund.
- Presentations from the Climate Budget Summit #2 on 14 October 2026 in Brussels
The Climate-4-CAST project is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme.
