Sustainable Cities
Sustainable cities are crucial for the green transition and net-zero goals, especially considering the rapid urbanization trend. By 2050, it is projected that two-thirds of the world’s population will reside in urban areas. This unprecedented growth underscores the urgent need for sustainable urban development, particularly related to climate mitigation and adaptation. By embracing sustainable practices, cities can become engines of economic growth, environmental stewardship, and social progress.
Catalyzing transformative ideas
To build a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing sustainable urban
development—and to provide actionable climate recommendations—we foster open
dialogue among public and private stakeholders, civil society organizations, and academic institutions.
Here is an overview of our work to advance sustainable cities.
WorkING group 2024
Financing tools for building renovation and decarbonization
According to Eurostat (2023), 85% of buildings in the European Union were built before 2000, and 75% have low energy performance. To effectively reduce environmental impacts and enhance sustainability in construction and housing, it’s essential to adopt strategies focused on energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, and resource-conscious architectural design.
In 2024, alinnea launched a working group to identify major bottlenecks slowing down building renovation efforts. The group proposed actionable recommendations to streamline access to financing and subsidies for these upgrades.
> Access the full Report
> Access the Executive Summary
WorkING group 2025
Priority measures to create financing options tailored to Spain's building stock
To meet the decarbonization goals set out in the PNIEC and the new European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), it’s essential to develop financing offers that align with the needs of Spain’s real estate market.
Addressing funding challenges faced by building owners is a key priority for alinnea, which is launching this working group throughout 2025 to offer meaningful solutions.
Innovation in sustainable finance holds the potential to unlock one of the major barriers slowing down renovation efforts across Spain.