North Sweden Energy Agency strengthens climate leadership at local and regional levels

The REMARKABLE Climate Leaders project, funded by Horizon 2020, built leadership capacity across Europe through a Climate Leadership Programme. Designed with and for climate leaders, it empowered public authorities and communities to implement transformative roadmaps for climate neutrality.

Regional energy agencies played a key role in guiding decision-makers. Among them, the North Sweden Energy Agency developed a climate leadership training in collaboration with seven European regions. This tailored project equips local and regional leaders with practical skills to drive the energy transition.

Targeting decision-makers and public servants, the training covered climate science, climate neutrality, and leadership. Tailored to regional needs, it equipped participants with the knowledge to interpret energy data, assess progress, and identify steps toward net-zero emissions by 2045.

“This training was developed with leading regions in Europe’s energy transition. By adapting it to regional conditions and integrating local expertise, it became a highly valued and accessible programme,” says Isabella Katsimenis, senior international project developer at North Sweden Energy Agency.

Equipping Local Leaders for a Carbon-Neutral Future

In 2024, the North Sweden Energy Agency conducted a climate leadership training for decision-makers in Överkalix Municipality, a region that has set an ambitious target of reaching climate neutrality by 2035. The project provided local politicians and public servants with practical tools to accelerate the energy transition and align their efforts with this goal. Around 50 participants successfully completed the training.

“We covered many aspects during the day. Much of it was new to me, and I now feel more confident engaging in discussions about climate and energy issues. The open discussions were particularly enlightening, allowing us to connect across professional boundaries,” shared one of the participants.

Scaling Climate Leadership Across Sweden

The North Sweden Energy Agency continues to offer climate leadership training for politicians and public officials, available for both small and large groups. Additionally, the agency provides customised roadmaps to climate neutrality, helping municipalities and regions translate leadership into action.

By equipping local leaders with knowledge, tools, and confidence, the programme is paving the way for a carbon-neutral future, ensuring that climate ambitions translate into meaningful action at both the local and regional levels.

This best practice is extracted from our publication ‘Sustainable Regions in Action‘. Discover more best practices here!