In response to climate change, cities worldwide are stepping up and proving that creative solutions to the climate crisis can do more than just reduce emissions – they can also enhance quality of life, lower costs for consumers and foster a stronger sense of community.  

Meanwhile, in the UK, bold ideas often stall in debate or are dismissed out of hand as too expensive.  

But let’s be clear: the cost of inaction far outweighs any upfront investment.

Sustainability isn’t a luxury item, a ‘nice to have’ that is the first item on the agenda to be axed every time the economy wobbles. It must be at the heart of our economic strategy, especially when navigating tough times. Climate action isn’t just about cutting emissions; it’s about redefining and enhancing how we live, work, and travel in the modern era.  

Some cities have already embraced this vision, leading the charge toward a greener future. Here’s how they’re making it happen.

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Vienna | Raus aus Gas  

Ranked the world’s most liveable city for three years running, Vienna has mastered affordable, sustainable living. Half of its population lives in social housing, paying a third of what renters in London or Paris do. The city’s climate initiatives are reshaping urban spaces and providing the blueprint for the smart climate cities of the future.  

For example, a 1950s municipal housing complex, Deutschordenstrasse, replaced gas heating with geothermal energy, cutting heating requirements — and bills — by 75%. Renters play a key role, with on-site hubs providing guidance, fostering consent and encouraging collaboration. With over 100 retrofits planned by 2025, Vienna’s "Raus aus Gas" initiative shows how cities can lower costs and tackle climate challenges together.

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Netherlands | Energiesprong  

Energiesprong, or ‘energy leap,’ revolutionises whole-house retrofitting using prefabricated wall and roof insulation panels attached to the building’s exterior, cutting energy use by 70–80%. In the Netherlands, 1,000 homes are retrofitted yearly, with large volume deals reducing costs.

The UK’s first Energiesprong performance report found even the highest energy users cut consumption by 43%. With whole-life financing, savings cover costs within 30 years. Resident engagement is key, with tailored outreach ensuring community buy-in.

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Copenhagen | E.ON EV Pilot

Copenhagen is tackling one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption – cost – with smart incentives and Scandi design. The E.ON pilot, testing dynamic pricing with discounts of up to 50% during off-peak hours, proved that when affordability aligns with convenience, people adapt. By the pilot’s end, discounted sessions had doubled, proving how small nudges can drive big behavioural shifts.  

Beyond incentives, Copenhagen is also redefining the charging experience itself. Prototypes in Sønderborg and Fredericia emphasise sleek, human friendly design – transforming a typically mundane task into a pleasant moment of rest and reflection. By making EV adoption about lifestyle rather than just logistics, Copenhagen is setting a new standard for the future of green mobility.  

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Ljubljana | Vision 2025

Slovenia’s capital made a bold move under its Vision 2025 agenda, transforming its traffic-heavy city centre into a fully pedestrianised zone, winning 95% public support. The impact was immediate: black carbon emissions on a major street dropped 70%, and fears of worsening air quality elsewhere never materialised.  

To support this shift, Ljubljana launched BicikeLJ, a virtually free shared cycling scheme. It started with 300 bikes and 30 docking stations and has since expanded to 840 bikes and 84 stations, with 900,000 trips annually. The scheme’s success highlights that when sustainable transport is accessible, it becomes second nature.

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Turning Inspiration into Action at Home  

The message from these cities is clear: bold, creative action is possible and effective. By embracing innovation and fresh thinking, these pioneering cities show that transformative change is within reach. For the UK, adopting these lessons is essential — not only to meet climate commitments but to ease household burdens.

At Tandem, we are committed to empowering consumers, but systemic shifts are needed. It’s time to scale up support, incentivise sustainable choices, and turn bold climate solutions into reality at home.