European Climate HOrizon (ECHO) 2030 Days, a conference of the Scalable Cities initiative, hosted by the City of Lyon and SPL Lyon Confluence, will take place in Lyon, France from 26th to 28th August 2025. This event marks the culmination of over a decade of innovation, collaboration, and implementation of smart, scalable solutions for climate-neutral cities across Europe. As the Scalable Cities initiative moves into the next phase, ECHO 2030 is set to celebrate its legacy while paving the way for what comes next in urban transformation.
Over three immersive days, ECHO will bring together European city representatives, urban planners, project coordinators, policymakers, and sustainability experts to reflect on lessons learned and explore the road ahead for smart and sustainable urban development. The programme will combine high-level plenary sessions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities to spark new ideas and strengthen collaboration across cities and sectors.
The conference will begin on Tuesday, 26 August, with an opening speech by Mr. Grégory Doucet, Mayor of Lyon, welcoming participants to the city and setting the tone for a forward-looking and inclusive event. The first day will be dedicated to exploring the power of citizen and stakeholder engagement, showcasing how inclusive governance and co-creation have helped shape effective, scalable solutions in cities across Europe. One of the day’s standout moments will be the Scalable Cities Hall of Fame, where all 28 projects will be recognised for their achievements.
On Wednesday, 27 August, participants will move from discussion to demonstration during a series of thematic site visits in the Confluence and Part-Dieu neighborhoods, hosted by SPL Lyon Confluence. These guided tours will highlight Lyon’s leadership in areas such as solar energy communities, large-scale retrofitting, nature-based solutions in emerging clean energy districts, and mobility-driven urban transformation. The following day, Thursday, 28 August, will center on Positive Energy Districts, combining real-world case studies from completed projects with forward-looking discussions on business models and strategies for scaling up. A detailed agenda and information on travel logistics is available here.
Join us in Lyon to celebrate the Scalable Cities initiative and help shape the future of sustainable cities beyond 2030.
Click here to register for ECHO 2030.
To support participation and travel to the final event, the Scalable Cities 14th Call for Visitor Cities is now open. Cities from across Europe, whether already part of the Scalable Cities network or newly exploring smart, sustainable development, are invited to apply to join the site visits and P2P exchange before 23 July 2025, 12:00 CET.
Apply here.
For questions or any inquiries, please contact the Scalable Cities Secretariat via helpdesk.