Our milestones

Leuven 2030 blows out 10 candles

For 10 years, Leuven 2030 has been uniting everyone in Leuven for a climate-neutral city. Although the way we do it has changed a lot in the past decade. On 7 December, members, partners, founding organisations, (ex-)colleagues and everyone who helped shape Leuven 2030 over the past 10 years follow us on a journey through time. From the very beginning, to our last (shared) achievement: the submission of the pioneering Leuven Climate City Contract. We are happy to add another 10 years to that. With enthusiasm. With commitment. With vision. With you.

The first Leuven Climate City Contract

On 23 November, Leuven 2030, shoulder to shoulder with the city of Leuven and in the presence of 400 Leuven key partners, handed over the first Leuven Climate City Contract to the European Commission.

This Climate City Contract contains no less than...

• 86 breakthrough projects targeting an 80% CO₂ reduction
• 10 'guiding principles' that serve as a touchstone to put CO₂ reduction at the heart of future initiatives
• more than 30 partners taking up concrete commitments

In addition, the Climate City Contract includes a financial section that provides insight into the financial logics and levers needed to finance these breakthrough projects and the Leuven transition.

"Never before have we linked so many perspectives. Never before have we brought together barriers, concrete commitment and the financial sector in this way," said Katrien Rycken, director of Leuven 2030.

During the event, we were joined by Patrick Child and Thomas Osdoba of the European Commission, federal minister Caroline Gennez, mayor of Leuven Mohamed Ridouani, former director of the European Environment Agency Hans Bruyninckx, alderman for climate David Dessers, general director of the city of Leuven Geertrui Vanloo and director of Leuven 2030 Simon Sterck, among others.

#LECH2030 as a lever for sustainability

Leuven announces it's application to become European Capital of Culture in 2030. Intendants Sarah Bekambo, Lore Baeyens and Stijn Devillé have worked out a vision for Leuven's candidacy together. In a nutshell: #LECH2030 must become a lever for the city's challenges, not a programme running alongside them.

Leuven 2030 colleague Sven Rosius is asked by the city of Leuven's culture department to give an inspirational session on the opportunities of this candidacy for a sustainable future. There are plenty. Because the climate transition needs the power of art and culture.

Europe supports Leuven in roll-out of heat grids with 1.5 million euro subsidy

In line with the Roadmap towards a climate-neutral city, the city of Leuven, vzw Leuven 2030 and energy cooperative ECoOB are putting everything in place for the roll-out of Leuven's heat networks. Europe announces that it will support Leuven in the roll-out of heat networks with a grant of no less than 1.5 million euros. This subsidy was obtained through means of a bold and thorough funding application submitted by Leuven 2030 and the city administration in 2022. The grant will help accelerate the development of green heat in Leuven.

Kickoff FEAST - for healthy and sustainable nutrition

Food systems that support transitions to hEalthy And Sustainable dieTs, or making healthy and sustainable food choices more accessible, specifically for vulnerable groups. Thirty European partners are working together on this goal. In Leuven, a Living Lab is being set up for this purpose, where it is being investigated how we can create more collective action around nutrition and how healthier and more sustainable eating behavior can be stimulated. Leuven 2030, together with SAAMO and UCLL, are the leading forces in this project.

Minister Khattabi visits to find out more about our socially inclusive climate approach in Leuven

In October, federal minister for climate, environment, sustainable development and Green Deal Zakia Khattabi visits Leuven. The minister gets acquainted with the socially inclusive climate approach in Leuven through a number of projects and an exchange with members of the city council, city administrations and the Leuven 2030 board members.

Leuven receives a 40-strong delegation from the European Commission, various directorates-general and European network organisations

At the end of September, some 40 European dignitaries and representatives arrive in Leuven to exchange with us on the better alignment and linking of various European initiatives that aim to be a lever for climate-ambitious cities such as Leuven. A valuable dialogue, and a cherished opportunity for Leuven as host, allowing us to give direct input.

Leuven 2030 wins 'Best non-profit organisation' at the Leuven Innovation Awards

Leuven Value Network, together with a host of partners, is organizing the Leuven Innovation Awards. The jury of the very first edition voted Leuven 2030 the winner in the 'best non-profit organization' category. Given the large number of impressive Leuven non-profits, this makes us particularly proud. But above all, it gives us an extra dose of energy to work faster and smarter, together with all those innovative organizations, towards a sustainable future for our city.

Leuven 2030 gets brand new look and reinvents itself

Since day one, our non-profit organization has been joining forces with the aim of guiding Leuven towards climate neutrality. That has never changed. But the way we go about it, has. Which is why it is high time for a refresh of our website, one that focuses on who Leuven 2030 is and how we are going to work:

• guided by our Roadmap

An ambitious goal requires a bold plan. Which is why we drew up the Roadmap towards a climate-neutral Leuven together with a host of Leuven experts.

• with the help of breakthrough projects

In breakthrough projects, together with partners, we are looking for new solutions to the climate crisis and testing their potential in Leuven.

• within an active 'Network 2030'

In order to bring our Roadmap to fruitition and succeed in our European mission as pioneering climate city, we ask Leuven based organisations, companies, governments and citizens to commit to concrete actions and engagements, compiled into a Climate City Contract. This living network of ambitious actors forms our 'Network 2030'.

We are very happy, because we think our virtual home is quite something!

Europe selects Leuven as pioneering climate city

Inspired by the Apollo 11 mission to land a man on the moon, Europe chose to use mission-based innovation to provide concrete solutions to one of the world's greatest challenges: climate change. Leuven is one of the 100 cities chosen by the European Commission for the mission '100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030'. With this mission, Europe supports the selected cities with expertise and (financial) resources in their journey towards climate neutrality by 2030.

Launched: Leuven 2030 Urban Lab

On March 23, KU Leuven, UCLL and imec, the city of Leuven and Leuven 2030 vzw together launch the Leuven 2030 Urban Lab at OPEK.

The Leuven 2030 Urban Lab aims to harness research and education to accelerate local climate transition. The initiative strengthens the cooperation between the knowledge and educational institutions (KU Leuven, UCLL and imec), the City of Leuven and vzw Leuven 2030. The Leuven 2030 Urban Lab aims to use Leuven, and by extension the region, as a living laboratory where the synergy between education, research and societal engagement is leveraged to address sustainability challenges.

In doing so, the Leuven 2030 Urban Lab acts as a forum for knowledge building, exchange and sharing between researchers, educators, Leuven policy makers, officials and stakeholders.

A new Board takes over

A new Board, the third already, takes over. Anne Van Oudenhove takes up the chairmanship for KBC. After stad Leuven (first Board) and KU Leuven (second Board) took on this responsibility for the membership categories of governments and knowledge institutions, a business member now takes on this commitment. As of this term, the board members' responsibilities are further expanded and they're more closely involved in our work. At the same time, the number of board members increases from 15 to 18, as the membership category of citizens and civil society organisations is split into two separate categories with their own representation.

The ELENA L.E.U.V.E.N. - project comes to an end

What started in December 2017 as a collaboration of 18 organisations culminates this month in a network of 24 partners who retrofitted 100 buildings together. This represents 150,000 retrofitted square metres and 1,000 kilowatt-peak of renewable energy generated. By pooling their investment budgets, the project received a EUR 1.6 million grant from the European Investment Bank. We brought the partners and their investment portfolios together and secured the European subsidy. We also guided the partners in the realisation of their building projects and supported them in the sharing of knowledge and expertise.

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City of Leuven launches Leuven Future Fund

The city of Leuven launches the Leuven Future Fund as a recovery measure after the Corona lockdown. With an initial investment of EUR 2.5 million, it promises to give sustainable entrepreneurship in Leuven a big boost. We were instrumental in the creation of this fund by launching exploratory studies with, among others, Bankers Without Boundaries and BrightWolves. We also continue to support the implementation of this financial lever.

Vorm 3010 sets off

Together with the City of Leuven, we launch Vorm 3010, an extensive participation process with the inhabitants and other stakeholders in Kessel-Lo on how to reshape their neighbourhoods, streets and squares in an attractive and sustainable way.

The process will result in a new mobility plan for Kessel-Lo, but we are also seizing the opportunity to meet other sustainability challenges concerning greening, depaving and improving quality of life. Vorm 3010 is thus also the start of the strategic experiment in Kessel-Lo that arose from the collaboration with EIT Climate-KIC.

Leuven wins iCapital Award and can call itself European Capital of Innovation

A new recognition for Leuven: our city can call itself European Capital of Innovation! Leuven 2030, together with the city of Leuven and Leuven MindGate, submitted the winning dossier. Our unique and ambitious climate approach, including an extensive city-wide collaboration, is cited by the European Commission as one of the decisive arguments.

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Launch of School 2030

The city of Leuven, the province, Leuven 2030, SOM and partners such as Rikolto, Mobiel 21, EcoWerf, Djapo and GoodPlanet join forces in School 2030. This structural partnership offers Leuven's education sector a framework to put their plans, commitments and measures in a wider context. And that's important, because the Roadmap also focuses on involving youngsters as an important pivotal generation in making the transition to a fossil-free society.

Four strategic experiments see the light

The collaboration with EIT Climate-KIC translates into four strategic experiments within the non-profit association: Project Kessel-Lo, Project Wijk Energietransitie, Project Bedrijventerrein Haasrode and Project Growth Hacking. These strategic experiments intersect the various programmes of the Roadmap to connect complex challenges and thus arrive at innovative strategies and solutions.

The start of breakthrough projects

To focus on the projects that test new solutions or represent a major step forward within the Roadmap, we launch our breakthrough projects. For each of the Roadmap's programmes, the programme manager launches at least one breakthrough project.

At the table with Leuven's entrepreneurs
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To implement the Roadmap towards 2050, we need innovative ideas and entrepreneurs we can count on. That is why we bring together almost 80 entrepreneurs in Leuven's M museum to work on specific climate challenges. It's the first time we involve industry and business so explicitly and this event is the start of a path that is increasingly followed in the coming years

Leuven selected as one of ten icon cities by EIT Climate-KIC

Leuven, with Leuven 2030, is selected as one of the partner cities in the ambitious 'Healthy, Clean Cities' - programme of European expertise centre EIT Climate-KIC, alongside cities such as Copenhagen, Vienna, Amsterdam, Madrid and Milan. The main objective is to research and develop more radical ways to take faster and bigger steps in the context of urban climate transition.

The expertise and financial support of the EIC Climate-KIC partners will help us delimit and realise a number of complex projects in as little time as possible. Katrien Rycken, director Leuven 2030

The Leuven 2030 team expands considerably with programme managers

In addition to the existing project team, at least one programme manager is appointed for each programme in the Roadmap to translate the plan's steps into concrete actions. These are often experts who are made available by partner organisations on a part-time basis to work on the Roadmap, sometimes free of charge, sometimes for a fee.

Very first ambassador of the European Climate Pact

Leuven declares itself as the very first ambassador of the European Climate Pact, thus explicitly responding to Europe's ambition to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050. As always, we express this commitment together with various partners: in addition to Leuven 2030, the city of Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven MindGate and imec also declare themselves to be ambassadors during a well-attended Facebook Live.

The Roadmap towards a climate neutral Leuven in 2050

Interim measurements show that emissions in Leuven are not going down fast enough to achieve the goal of a climate neutral city by 2050. That is why we draw up a unique plan together with several Leuven-based experts: the Roadmap towards a climate neutral Leuven in 2050. The ambition is also immediately increased as well: not only are CO₂ emissions from within Leuven's city limits included as was the case in the scientific report of 2013, but the Roadmap also adds emissions for which inhabitants of Leuven are responsible outside the city boundaries. Key players in the city sign the Roadmap during the sold-out 'Road to 2050' conference and undertake to change their policies accordingly. From this moment on, the Roadmap constitutes our guide and gives direction to everything we do.

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Leuven is named European Green Leaf 2018

The prestigious award is recognition for the efforts of Leuven 2030 and the city of Leuven in the are of sustainability and quality of life.

The ELENA L.E.U.V.E.N. project is launched

18 large and small Leuven-based organisations undertake to making their buildings significantly more sustainable. Leuven 2030 brings the partners and their investment budgets together and successfully submits the grant application to the European Investment Bank to help fund the study work. It is the start of an impactful project by Leuven 2030 to significantly reduce emissions from primarily non-residential buildings, which account for no less than 28%* of Leuven's  CO₂ emissions.

*Leuven-based CO₂ emission can be broken down into three different scopes. This figure (28%) only takes into account direct emissions released within the territory of greater Leuven (Scope 1) and indirect emissions as a result of imported energy (Scope 2).

The second Board takes over

After four years of chairmanship of the Board by the city of Leuven, it is now transferred for four years to KU Leuven in the person of Stefaan Saeys, Director of Technical Services. This transition symbolises the strong commitment from various corners of society to making Leuven a sustainable city.

The 'Leuven Switcht' campaign is launched

Celebrities from Leuven make a commitment to switch to a green energy supplier and call on the people of Leuven to do the same. A year later, Leuven has almost 800 registered switchers, which accounts for an estimated 320 tonne reduction of CO2.

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A second air quality measurement

A second air quality measurement by Leuven 2030, Vito and Straten Vol Leuven indicates a strong link between the implemented circulation plan and the evolution of air quality. This shows - in addition to the traffic counts of the city of Leuven - its added value for the people of Leuven.

The non-profit organisation changes its name: Leuven 2030 is born

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At the same time, we also shift up a gear in terms of communication and develop, among other things, a new logo, the baseline ‘minder uitstoot, meer toekomst’ (less emissions, more future) and a clear visual identity. This is based on the awareness that we must be able to reach the entire Leuven community if our mission is to succeed.

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A zero measurement of the air quality

Together with civic platform 'Straten Vol Leuven' and Vito, Leuven 2030 carries out an extensive zero measurement of the air quality. In the summer of 2016, the city of Leuven implements the first phase of the new circulation plan for the city centre. An ambitious plan that reserves a larger part of the public space for pedestrians and cyclists.

The very first 'yard assembly' takes place

A total of 120 engaged citizens, experts, policy makers and planners, employees and entrepreneurs join forces at Het Depot for a whole day and evening to discuss concrete challenges for a climate neutral city. This meeting is a major step in the operation of Leuven 2030. From now on, we also explicitly connect partners and citizens around concrete projects, guide them along the way, help them find financial resources and help tell their stories.

The first climate campsite

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Together with four neighbourhood campsites, the first climate campsite on Leuven's Vismarkt is organised: Camping Zero Emission is a fact. In the following years, mainly Leuven-based schools jump on the bandwagon. In collaboration with the city of Leuven and Het Depot, 15 schools take part in the 2018 edition. They combine camping with an extensive programme around sustainable activities to inspire students, teachers and management.

The official start of our non-profit organisation!

On November 9th 2013, 60 inhabitants, businesses and organisations establish vzw Leuven Klimaatneutraal 2030 (non-profit organisation Leuven Climate neutral 2030). The city of Leuven and KU Leuven are the driving forces. From the start, stakeholders from all parts of Leuven's society can become members of our organisation and representatives of these stakeholders are jointly at the helm. The members are divided into five member categories that are equally represented: citizens and civil society organisations, businesses, knowledge institutions, local authorities and semi-public authorities. This unique cooperation is maintained to this day because we believe that a climate neutral city is only possible if everyone works together and feels ownership. Our current mayor, Mohamed Ridouani, then alderman for the environment, is the first to take the chair.

A detailed scientific report on emissions on Leuven's territory

KU Leuven draws up a scientific report that maps out CO₂- emissions across Leuven's territory in detail, the so-called 'Scope 1' and 'Scope 2' emissions. For over a year, several experts worked closely on this measurement based on the emissions in 2010. The report also comprises a list of possible scenarios for achieving a climate neutral city. It is officially presented in a sold-out event at Leuven's STUK-Arts Centre.