EGC 23 at COP28

European Green Capital 2023 – Tallinn is going to COP28

Join European Green Capital 2023 – Tallinn on December 6 at Estonian pavilion!

Tallinn is the European Green Capital 2023 focusing on how innovation and green governance can offer opportunities to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Tallinn works actively with universities, companies and citizens to integrate a sustainability mindset into all actions, policies, and day -to -day city management to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the local green deal objectives while making the city a better living environment for the citizens.

The capital of Estonia has become a beacon of innovation and technological progress, attracting entrepreneurs, innovators, and tech providers from all over the world. Tallinn has achieved the 10th place in the Innovation Cities: Small 200 Index, which evaluates the innovativeness of cities with fewer than one million residents. Tallinn uses many digital tools to mitigate and adapt to climate change, for example EU project “Green Twins” develops and visualizes through user-friendly interfaces the layer of dynamic digital vegetation for the Urban Digital Twins of Helsinki and Tallinn. The project aims to bring greenery into the discussion about Urban Digital Twins.

On its European Green Capital year, Tallinn has launched the Test in Tallinn program. The Test in Tallinn program is unique because it offers businesses the chance to test their technologies in a live environment. The program provides access to various testing sites, from roads, streets to buildings, and connects businesses with the right people to help them navigate the testing process. Businesses can use this to accelerate the process of developing new solutions and valuable references for scaling up their businesses. The program is especially suitable for businesses looking to test smart mobility, green energy and energy efficiency solutions and other innovative technologies that require a live environment to test.

 

A new vision for Linnahall area
A new vision for Linnahall area VIDEO
3D model of Tallinn
Test in Tallinn
GreenCompass
Pollinator Highway
Save Our Sea
Green Tracks
Sustainability Governance Framework

European Green Capital 2023 — Tallinn presents:  

WILD CITIES:  URBAN INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY 

6 December, at 9:00 – 19:00

Venue: Estonian pavilion in the Blue Zone B6-75

Explore urban dynamics and the indispensable role of the cities in the global fight against climate change together with this year’s European Green Capital. 

9:00 – 09:45 WILDLY TRANSFORMING: URBAN LEADERSHIP  

Building smart cities through policies, initiatives and green transition collaborations. With so many challenges and crises, progress for achieving the SDGs has stalled in many areas. This panel spotlights the pivotal role of urban sustainability leadership aimed towards tangible, impactful actions. 

SPEAKERS:  

Joosep Vimm, Deputy Mayor of Tallinn, Estonia 

Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, UK  

Wolfgang Teubner, Director of ICLEI Europe, Germany   

MODERATOR:  

Krista Kampus, Head of EU and International Cooperation, Tallinn, Estonia  

 

10:00 – 10:45 WILDLY TWINNING: CLIMATE RESILIENT CITIES 

Discover the transformative power of digital green twins. Learn how digital tools serve as instruments to simulate, analyse, and optimize urban systems for climate adaptation, citizen engagement, and common urban visions.  

SPEAKERS:  

Raido Roop, Strategy Director, Tallinn City Strategic Management Office, Estonia  

Laura Mrosla, Early-Stage Researcher, FinEst Centre for Smart Cities, TalTech, Germany   

Edmee Schultz, Business Development Manager, Catenda, Norway

Damiano Cerrone, Co-founder of UrbanistAI and SPIN Unit, Italy

MODERATOR:  

Ralf-Martin Soe, Director and Assistant Professor, FinEst Centre for Smart Cities, TalTech University/Stanford University, Estonia 

 

11:00 – 11:30 WILDLY MOVING: 15 MINUTES TO A JUST CITY? 

Accelerating sustainable mobility to achieve climate neutrality in the concept of the 15-minute city. Tackling the eco-social paradox of economically dynamic, environmentally sustainable, and socially just cities. Testing the fare-free public transport and looking back to a decade of experience in Tallinn. 

SPEAKERS:  

Tauri Tuvikene, Professor of Urban Studies, Tallinn University, Estonia 

Tiit Tammaru, Professor of Urban and Population Geography, University of Tartu, Estonia 

Raido Roop, Strategy Director, Tallinn City Strategic Management Office, Estonia

MODERATOR:  

Katrin Saks, Vice-Rector for Development, Tallinn University, Estonia 

 

12:00 – 12:45 GUIDED NETWORKING: DRIVEN CITIES — THE ROLE OF STARTUPS AND COMPACT  NATIONS IN RESHAPING URBAN MOBILITY 

“Idle Engines, Active Minds” addresses the challenge of excessive car use, fostering ideas for shared mobility. “Estonia’s Blueprint” spotlights innovative urban transport solutions. Engage in lively discussions, inspired by visual cues and practical examples with key insights on creating sustainable, efficient urban environments.

 

MODERATORS:   

Anna-Maria Mikaberidze, co-founder and CEO at Beast, Estonia 

Micha Mazaheri, co-founder and Senior Advisor at Beast, Estonia

 

13:00 – 13:45 WILDLY INNOVATING:  SMART CITIES  

Practical case studies on leveraging green innovation in cities and fostering collaboration between the public and the private sectors. Lessons learned from TallInnovation, TestinTallinn and NEXPO projects.  

SPEAKERS: 

Ralf-Martin Soe, Director and Assistant Professor, FinEst Centre for Smart Cities, TalTech University/Stanford University, Estonia 

Einar Bodström, CEO ClimateView, Sweden 

Damiano Cerrone, Co-founder of UrbanistAI and SPIN Unit, Italy

Mark-Emil Talivere, Innovation Expert, Test in Tallinn Project Lead, Estonia

MODERATOR:  

Jaan Saar, Head of Digital Construction, Ministry of Climate, Estonia 

 

14.00- 14.45 WILDLY CONNECTING: RAIL BALTICA – FOSTERING A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE IN TRANSPORTATION    

Building an infrastructure megaproject while fostering sustainable transport for linking nations, people, and places. A multibillion greenfield railway co- financed by the EU and the governments of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Join our high-level discussion on developing resilient connections in a sustainable way. 

Introductory words by Emilien Dang, CTO and Member of the Management Board of AS RB RAIL

SPEAKERS: 

Emilien Dang, CTO and Member of the Management Board of AS RB RAIL

Keit Kasemets, Secretary General of Ministry of Climate of the Republic of Estonia  

Kaspars Briškens, Minister of Transport, Latvia   

Marius Skuodis, Minister of Transport and Communications, Lithuania 

MODERATOR:  

Herald Ruijters, Director of the Directorate for Investments, Innovative and Sustainable Transport at the DG MOVE, European Commission

 

15:00 – 15:45 WILDLY TRANSITIONING: ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Tackle energy efficiency and saving methods in housing, green transition and innovation. Actions and local solutions towards speeding up the roll-out of renewable energy sources and advancing the energy transition.

SPEAKERS:  

Priit Koit, Head of the Utilitas Group, Tallinn, Estonia 

Joosep Vimm, Deputy Mayor of Tallinn, Estonia 

Graeme Maidment, Professor of Heating and Cooling at London South Bank University, UK

MODERATOR: 
Robert Kitt, PhD, CEO of Utilitas Tallinn and Utilitas Eesti, Tallinn, Estonia 

 

16:00 – 16:45 WILDLY BLUE: ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF OUR SEAS 

Dive into the current state of oceans and seas, and the critical need for collaborative action. Environmental challenges and the power of partnerships and collective efforts in safeguarding these precious ecosystems. 

SPEAKERS:  

Gunter Pauli, Entrepreneur, economist and author, Belgium 

Merle Liivand, International spokesperson and open water swimmer, aquapreneur, USA 

Tadashi Matsumoto, Head of Unit, National Urban Policy and Climate Resilience, OECD  

Krista Kampus, Head of EU and International Cooperation, City of Tallinn, Estonia   

Rüdiger Strempel, Head of the HELCOM Secretariat (via web), Finland

MODERATOR: 
Helen Sulg, Environment Investments Centre, Estonia 

 

17:00-18:30 WILD DRINKS: networking with the like-minded urban enthusiasts 

Reception by the Vice Mayor of Tallinn, Mr Joosep Vimm 

LOCATION: Estonian restaurant “Valgerand Nordic Grill” in the Blue Zone B3-30 

In the year of the European Green Capital, Tallinn wanted to introduce our city to experts in the field and the wider world as a favourable test environment for green innovation and as a competence centre at the European level, where promoters and specialists of the city development and sustainable management model work.

Read about it here