From innovation to implementation: Funding models for climate mitigation and adaptation at the urban level

COP31
11 November 2026, h. 15:30-17:00 TRT (13:30–15:00 CET) | Antalya EXPO Center, Antalya, Türkiye – Italy Pavilion

Urban areas are at the forefront of both climate impacts and climate action. While significant public resources have been mobilized through instruments such as the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, a key challenge remains: how to transform pilot projects into long-term, structural investments capable of supporting climate mitigation and adaptation.

Through contributions from policymakers, researchers, and finance experts, the COP 31 side event “From innovation to implementation: Funding models for climate mitigation and adaptation at the urban level” will explore innovative governance and financing mechanisms that can ensure the continuity and scalability of local climate action. The discussion will include the role of local authorities in implementing the Urban Agenda and delivering climate policies, the potential of Climate City Contracts as strategic governance tools, the experience of revolving climate funds, the relationship between public and private actors, and how sustainable finance instruments are capable of leveraging new capital for adaptation projects, and will conclude with a set of recommendations to support the scaling of climate solutions and inform the implementation-focused agenda of COP31.

The event, hosted as part of the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE) events programme, will take place at the Italy Pavilion (Antalya EXPO Center, Antalya, Türkiye) on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, from h. 15:30-17:00 TRT (13:30–15:00 CET). It is co-organized by the Metropolitan City of Milan (CMM) – Environment and Land Protection Department, Bocconi University of Milan – SUR Lab, and the Italian Sustainable Investment Forum (ItaSIF). The panel will feature contributions from representatives of local and national institutions, research, sustainable finance, and climate action initiatives.

AGENDA

Event moderated by: Emanuele Bompan, Director at Materia Rinnovabile

Official Welcome

Emilio De Vita, Director of the Environment and Land Protection Division – Metropolitan City of Milan

Financial Instruments of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development

Mara Cossu, Coordinator of the Sustainable Development Unit, Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, Directorate-General for European, International and Sustainable Finance Affairs (DG AEIF)

The role of metropolitan and local authorities in the planning and implementation of adaptation policies at local level: a presentation of two case studies funded by the PNRR.

Cinzia Davoli, Responsabile Servizio Sviluppo Sostenibile e Sistemi di supporto alle decisioni, Area Ambiente e Tutela del Territorio – Metropolitan City of Milan

Unlock cities’ potential on climate neutrality: EU Mission 100 climate neutral and smart cities and the NetZeroCities project

Thomas Osdoba, Director, Mission Platform – NetZero Cities

Financing urban climate transition.

Edoardo Croci, Professor of Practice e Direttore del SUR Lab – Bocconi University
Benedetta Lucchitta, Senior Researcher del SUR Lab – Bocconi University

Revolving funds for the implementation of local-scale climate measures: the case of the City of Porto

Rui Pimenta, CEO – Ade Porto

Mobilising capital for climate adaptation: sustainable finance instruments and investor perspectives from the ItaSIF network

Francesco Bicciato, Executive Director – Italian Sustainable Investment Forum
Sara Tarì, Research and EU projects officer – Italian Sustainable Investment Forum

A methodological approach to urban investment strategies for Local Authorities to attract private investors

Giulia Galluccio, Director Advanced Training and Education Center (ATEC) – CMCC Foundation

Conclusions and recommendations

Emilio De Vita, Director of the Environment and Land Protection Division – Metropolitan City of Milan

This event is one of the several CMCC contributions to COP31, the 31st edition of the Conference of the Parties (COP) organized by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

COP31 is a major United Nations climate conference that brings together world leaders, non-governmental organizations, and experts to negotiate and advance global actions to address climate change. The conference will focus on implementing international climate agreements and promoting sustainable development through priority actions to tackle the climate crisis.