Energy City

Enthusiasm and sensitivity to energy and climate issues: nowadays it is crucial to adopt strategies and action measures geared toward concrete results. Municipalities can do a lot; some have decided to make a spontaneous commitment to give a boost to the management of energy-environmental issues.

The environment is one of the main accents for the City of Lugano in its Development Guidelines 2018-2028 (Linee di sviluppo 2018–2028). This focus translates daily into ideas and actions for a sustainable energy and climate policy. Every small gesture of Lugano's citizenry and administration is important to achieve results not only at the local level, but as part of a commitment that complements that of other cities.

The Energy City® label was awarded to Lugano at the end of 2019 "for concrete and exemplary results achieved in the development of its municipal energy policy." It is awarded to municipalities that have achieved at least 50 percent of possible points in the area of energy-climate policy. The certification is not a point of arrival, but a starting point for implementing new measures and streamlining the City's activities, continuing to capitalize on insights, projects and ideas while identifying areas for improvement.

In fact, Lugano was awarded the reaffirmation of the title of Energy City in November 2023 by achieving a higher score (64.9 percent) than in the first certification (55.7 percent).

The City of Energy® label

It is a quality label granted to municipalities of all sizes that have implemented or planned concrete energy policy measures. It thus attests to genuine commitment and proven results in the management of issues affecting energy, the environment and mobility.

The label is awarded by an independent commission of the Energy Cities Association.

A lasting commitment

Even after the label has been awarded, the national commission in charge verifies every four years whether cities meet the requirements to maintain the award, what measures they have implemented and what measures are planned. Energy-climate policy and its tools are constantly evolving. Energy Cities move hand in hand and thus constantly renew their efforts, materializing a state-of-the-art energy and climate strategy at the local level.