The LIFE SIRIUS project has officially reached its conclusion with the successful organization of its Close-Out Meeting in Thessaloniki, signaling the completion of both its research and implementation activities. The event marked an important milestone for the project and highlighted its lasting contribution to urban climate resilience, air quality management, and public health protection.

The event was organized in the framework of the Municipality of Thessaloniki’s participation in the European Mission Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, which aims to support cities in achieving climate neutrality by 2030. The Close-Out Meeting was co-funded by the European projects LIFE SIRIUS and ReGenWesT, reinforcing Thessaloniki’s strategic commitment to climate action and sustainable urban development.

Strong Institutional Engagement and Broad Stakeholder Participation

The event was opened with welcoming remarks by Mr. Georgios Dimarelos, Deputy Mayor for Cleanliness, Recycling and Climate Protection of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, who underlined the city’s firm commitment to policies that improve quality of life and accelerate the transition towards a climate-resilient and climate-neutral future.

Approximately 70 participants attended the meeting, both in person and online, representing a wide range of stakeholders. These included local and regional authorities, research and academic institutions, European and national public bodies, as well as organizations active in environmental management and urban planning. This strong level of engagement reflected the relevance of the LIFE SIRIUS outcomes for cities facing complex environmental and climate-related challenges.

From Climate Neutrality Strategies to Practical Urban Solutions

The first thematic session focused on Thessaloniki’s key initiatives towards climate neutrality. Presentations highlighted innovative policy instruments such as Local Green Deals, as well as participatory actions engaging citizens, businesses, and local stakeholders. Sustainable mobility solutions were also showcased, alongside concrete examples of how collaboration between city authorities and the scientific community can bridge the gap between strategic planning and on-the-ground implementation.

These discussions emphasized the importance of co-creation, evidence-based policymaking, and cross-sectoral cooperation in advancing climate goals at the city level.

LIFE SIRIUS Results: Integrating Air Quality, Climate Adaptation and Health

The second session was dedicated to the results and legacy of the LIFE SIRIUS project. LIFE SIRIUS has supported cities in addressing air quality, climate adaptation, and public health in an integrated manner, through advanced scientific decision-support tools and the promotion of Nature-Based Solutions.

The event also highlighted the added value of synergies with other European initiatives, strengthening Thessaloniki’s networking with cities following similar pathways towards resilience and net-zero emissions. These collaborations enhance knowledge exchange and ensure that successful approaches developed within LIFE SIRIUS can be replicated and scaled up beyond the project’s lifetime.

What LIFE SIRIUS Leaves Behind in Thessaloniki

LIFE SIRIUS significantly strengthens the city’s capacity to design and implement policies based on robust scientific evidence. By addressing the combined pressures of air pollution and climate change, the project has delivered practical tools and methodologies that:

• Support informed decision-making on air quality and climate policies
• Promote solutions that improve the urban environment and protect public health
• Provide a solid foundation for future projects and partnerships under the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission

Mr. Dimarelos emphasized the importance of Thessaloniki’s participation in initiatives such as LIFE SIRIUS and ReGenWesT, noting that through these projects the city actively contributes to climate solutions and long-term urban resilience.

Similarly, Professor Dimitris Melas, Project Coordinator of LIFE SIRIUS, highlighted the project’s impact on environmental governance in Thessaloniki:

“LIFE SIRIUS has provided Thessaloniki with the tools needed to better understand and mitigate the impacts of air pollution and thermal stress on public health, paving the way for more sustainable urban development and improved governance of environmental risks.”

A Lasting Contribution to Europe’s Climate Transition

LIFE SIRIUS is co-funded by the European Union through the LIFE Programme, while ReGenWesT is co-funded through the NetZeroCities Programme. As the project concludes, its results remain highly relevant, offering cities across Europe concrete, science-based pathways to address air quality, climate change, and public health in an integrated and effective way.

The Close-Out Meeting confirmed that LIFE SIRIUS is not an endpoint, but a strong foundation for continued action, collaboration, and innovation towards climate-neutral and resilient cities.