Host: Sean Errey  |  Produced by NetZeroCities

Episode summary 

What does it actually take to bring an entire city on board with climate action? In the first episode of Path to Zero: City Stories, host Sean Errey explores one of the most critical drivers of climate progress: citizen engagement. Drawing on the experiences of Guimarães in Portugal and Nantes Métropole in France, this episode reveals how meaningful involvement goes far beyond ticking boxes, from Citizens' Assemblies to multi-month group challenges. 

Carlos Ribeiro of Guimarães' Landscape Lab shares how a 2013 environmental diagnosis exposed a deep disconnection between citizens and nature, sparking a decade-long journey of co-creation and trust-building. Elise Lindner from Nantes Métropole describes how annual climate challenges have evolved into immersive, community-led adventures, including a now-legendary challenge to go screen-free for a weekend. Both cities are candid about the gaps that remain, and both offer powerful lessons in making the path to zero a truly shared endeavour. 

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Five key takeaways 

  1. Local relevance unlocks engagement. Abstract global problems rarely move people to act. Guimarães pivoted from ocean plastic to river plastic, a challenge visible from people's windows, making climate issues feel immediate and personal. 
  2. Behaviour change needs sustained journeys, not one-off events. Nantes' challenges span three to six months, weaving together workshops, mini-challenges, and group reflection – introducing climate-friendly habits in a fun, accessible way.. 
  3. Trust between citizens and policymakers is built incrementally. Co-designing even small interventions; a street, a cycle path, a green area, this builds the trust that makes larger transformation possible. 
  4. Reaching beyond the 'usual suspects' is an ongoing challenge. Both cities acknowledge that most participants are already environmentally aware. Tailored outreach, shorter formats for students and partnerships with churches and youth groups are key to broadening the base. 
  5. Measurement and feedback loops are inseparable from good engagement.  Guimarães runs five-yearly perception surveys with the UN University; Nantes feeds participant feedback directly into policy recommendations. 

Guest quotes 

"We have one climate challenge focused on digital tools… one mini challenge is to leave your screens — all of them, computer, smartphone, everything — for an entire weekend. This has proven to be one of the most difficult but also most interesting challenges." 

Elise Lindner — Nantes Métropole  |  ~ 10:05 

"If you want to engage citizens to discuss the need to expand green areas or pedestrian areas, we need to explain that this transformation will improve air quality and have a great impact on the health and well-being of citizens." 

Carlos Ribeiro, Guimarães  |  ~ 14:20 

"We expect a lot from inhabitants, but we have also to provide them with more services and supports for them to achieve their climate neutrality journey." 

Elise Lindner — Nantes Métropole  |  ~ 22:34 

Guest Bios 

Carlos Ribeiro — Executive Director, Landscape Lab, Guimarães, Portugal 

Carlos leads the Landscape Lab, a research and environmental education centre supporting Guimarães across its climate journey. He designed the city's three-pillar engagement model and oversees the long-running Citizens Perception Survey partnership with the United Nations University. Under his guidance, Guimarães has transformed from an industrial city into an EU Mission City and the designated European Green Capital 2026. 

Elise Lindner — Climate & EU Project Manager, Nantes Métropole, France 

Elise manages climate strategy and EU projects for Nantes Métropole, a 24-municipality agglomeration in western France. She leads the city's annual climate challenge programme (running since 2011) and spearheaded the 2023 redesign toward holistic, group-based challenges. Her focus is on reaching beyond already-engaged audiences and ensuring the green transition is fair and well-supported for all residents. 

Chapter timestamps 

  • 00:00  Cold open  
  • 00:19  Introduction – EU Mission Cities & citizen engagement 
  • 02:30  Guimarães: from industrial past to green future 
  • 05:10  The Citizen Assembly in Guimarães 
  • 07:00  A three-pillar engagement model 
  • 11:15  Nantes Métropole: individual climate challenges 
  • 13:40  Making engagement local & relevant – Guimarães 
  • 15:43  Trust, leveraging culture and the private sector 
  • 19:00  Transforming perspectives 
  • 20:00  Measuring impact: surveys & feedback loops 
  • 22:33  The fair transition: what cities owe their citizens 
  • 22:55  Outro & credits

Resources & links 

→  NetZeroCities – Official Website & podcast  hub 

→  Spotify 

→  Apple Podcasts 

→  Câmara Municipal de Guimarães 

→  Nantes Métropole 

→  EU Mission: 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities 

 

Produced & scripted by Alan MacKenzie  |  Edited & designed by Anne-Charlotte Costabadie  |  Hosted by Sean Errey