Challenge description

On a global picture greenhouse gas emissions are rising. And the once abstract climate change turned into a right-here-right-now climate crisis. In addition, natural carbon sinks – places that absorb more CO2 than they release – like oceans and forests are increasingly exhausted.

70% of all global emissions are produced by cities. But they also play a significant role in climate action and hold solutions for climate change mitigation.

Copenhagen for example declared to become the first 100% carbon neutral capital by 2025. Well, Palermo is not Copenhagen and is more known for its odd love for plastic cups and its cityscape dominated by ‘munnizza.’

So, how can Palermo not only catch up in reducing its CO2 emissions, but become Europe’s first carbon sink? 

This challenge is ambitious, bold and – well, challenging. That is due to the little time the world community has left for acting effectively on climate change: 11 years according to the IPCC.

"One has to dare the impossible to achieve the possible.” – Hermann Hesse

Challenge vision

How can Palermo not only become CO2 neutral, but go even beyond and become Europe’s first Carbon Sink City?

Solutions should focus on:

• Identifying fields for entrepreneurship and business to reduce CO2 
• Fostering existing carbon sinks in Palermo
• Providing information to citizens about CO2 emissions and opportunities for absorbing CO2
• Creating a way for actionable policies and citizen engagement
• Creating and facilitating a community on climate action in Palermo
• Developing a post-climathon strategy