Ostrava's Green Transformation Is Running Ahead of Plan
"Ostrava is showing that systematic, long-term effort produces concrete results. Reducing emissions by more than half compared to 2000 confirms that the steps we have taken in recent years make sense. At the same time, it shows that transforming a traditionally industrial city into a modern and sustainable metropolis is achievable - we are now very close to our 2030 target and in some areas are even ahead of schedule," said Lucie Baránková Vilamová, Deputy Mayor for Strategic Development.
The Statutory City of Ostrava has been an active member of the European Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy since 2011. This initiative brings together thousands of local authorities that share a vision of climate-neutral and resilient cities. Signatories commit to mitigating the climate impact of their cities' operations, with progress documented through a SECAP.
The results are not the product of one-off measures but of long-term work and hundreds of projects across the city. "Ostrava invests in modernising heating systems, improving energy efficiency in buildings, and promoting cleaner transport - and according to the data, these are the steps with the greatest impact. One example is the reconstruction of the energy infrastructure at Nemocnice Fifejdy hospital, one of the city's largest investments in this area, costing hundreds of millions of crowns, which has delivered significant emissions reductions. Another is the work of the Ostrava City Transport Authority, which in recent years has carried out a major shift away from diesel vehicles towards CNG and a strong push for electrification," explained Mayor Jan Dohnal. The good news is that most of the planned measures are not merely on the drawing board - they are already under way or in preparation.
"It is also worth highlighting Ostrava's success in strengthening blue-green infrastructure, where the city has been effective in securing funding, particularly through integrated territorial investment. This includes projects to revitalise green spaces and parks, residential areas, the conversion of paved surfaces to permeable ones, the restoration of water features, and flood protection measures. In addition to improving the quality of life for residents, these projects make a significant contribution to reducing the impacts of climate change. In light of current projections, however, it is essential to stay the course and increase the intensity of adaptation measures," added Aleš Boháč, Deputy Mayor for the Environment.
While many European cities are aiming for emissions reductions of around 40%, Ostrava has already surpassed that threshold. This places it among the leaders within the Central European cities participating in the Covenant of Mayors and makes it a recognised example of good practice. Emissions reductions also extend to the city administration itself. The Ostrava City Council has been cutting its own emissions over the long term, and in 2024 recorded a carbon footprint of approximately 1,850 t CO₂ eq. - confirming a downward trend from the 2,148.8 t CO₂ eq. recorded at the last measurement in 2020.
Ostrava is well on track to meet its climate target on time - or even to exceed it - thanks to new transport technologies, further development of renewable energy sources, and smart energy management across the city. With this in mind, the city established a Municipal Energy Agency in 2025, with the goal of strengthening the city's energy self-sufficiency and managing energy consumption efficiently across municipal buildings and organisations. The agency will also help the city reduce energy costs through consumption monitoring, centralised energy procurement, and the deployment of modern technologies.