Florence launched FIXCLIMA in 2023 as an innovative, city-wide pathway for climate action. The initiative adopts a holistic approach, integrating cross-sectoral expertise and community participation to enhance the city’s social, cultural, and environmental assets. Citizens and organisations are directly involved in identifying daily lifestyle changes, co-designing solutions, and shaping the city’s ecological transition towards the goal of becoming a zero-emission city by 2030.
Image credit: City of Florence
Who it’s for
IXCLIMA is designed for the entire city community: residents, businesses, universities, schools, associations, and local authorities. The initiative actively engages citizens through public events, surveys, school education programmes, and a Citizens’ Assembly for Climate. Special attention is given to climate justice by ensuring meaningful representation of young people and vulnerable groups, so that no one is left behind in the city’s neutrality pathway.
Key stakeholders involved:
- Citizens and residents of Florence
- Municipality of Florence and local civil servants
- Universities, schools, and associations
- Local businesses and enterprises (126 already engaged as supporters and co-design partners)
Image credit: City of Florence
Impact in numbers
Since its launch:
- 126 organisations and businesses joined as supporters, co-designing actions under the City Climate Contract (CCC).
- 100 active citizens selected for the pilot Citizens’ Assembly for Climate.
- 4 flagship projects identified through the assembly, some already approved and under implementation.
- Motion approved for the possible institutionalisation of a Permanent Climate Assembly.
Image credit: City of Florence
What was learned
FIXCLIMA demonstrates that climate transition requires inclusive, participatory, and long-term engagement. The process has shown that skilled facilitators with strong topic knowledge are essential to enable open, constructive debate and ensure meaningful citizen participation. The pilot also highlighted the value of embedding climate assemblies into formal governance structures to sustain momentum and legitimacy.
Challenges faced:
- The initiative is ongoing: after a pilot phase, FIXCLIMA is being scaled up with a more place-based approach, tailored to Florence’s neighbourhoods.
- Some actions identified in the pilot were already implemented, requiring updates and refinements.