Picture by: Vincent Nicolas, Unsplash
The conference
From 24 to 26 June 2025, the City and Eurométropole of Strasbourg will host the 26th edition of the European Conference on Energy Transition. With over 3,500 delegates expected, the conference is set to become a major moment for advancing energy transition in Europe at both local and regional levels.
This year’s theme, “Energy, a common good! From territories to Europe,” underscores the need for shared governance and cross-border collaboration in the face of climate challenges. The programme will feature 30 plenary sessions and more than 100 workshops covering topics like energy equity, cooperation, and innovative local solutions. The event will conclude with a special session at the European Parliament where a petition will be presented calling for stronger financial support and youth involvement in energy transition.
The workshop
As part of the programme, DeCarb Pro will host a dedicated workshop on 25 June, focusing on how local authorities can integrate CO₂ pricing into their procurement systems. Public procurement has a major impact on carbon emissions, but many authorities still struggle with where to start. That is exactly what the DeCarb Pro workshop aims to address. The goal is to give attendees the knowledge and tools needed to start applying environmental criteria in real tendering processes.
The workshop is co-organised and hosted by the Strasbourg Eurométropole, which is itself actively involved in DeCarb Pro pilot activities and has already begun testing CO₂ pricing methods. The session will welcome Margo Meeuwissen, project manager of DeCarb Pro, and Michiel van der Hagen, project leader at the Green Metropolitan Region. Margo will provide a comprehensive overview of the project, while Michiel will present practical experience from the Arnhem-Nijmegen pilot. Insights from the municipality of Amsterdam will also be shared to demonstrate how the CO₂ performance ladder is already being used in real-life procurement settings.
Overall, this workshop is designed to give local authorities practical knowledge, real examples, and useful tools to start using CO₂ pricing in their public procurement. With insights from pilot projects and support from experts, the goal is to show that climate-friendly procurement is possible and easier to apply than it might seem. For local governments ready to take the next step, this workshop will be a chance to learn, ask questions, and get inspired to take action.