Millions invested in ecological solutions, significant energy savings and new solutions for Bratislava: these, too, are results of the first year of the Bratislava Mayor’s Climate Challenge

In its Climate Plan, Bratislava committed to actively contribute to reducing the emissions of the entire city, though it only has a direct impact on a small part of them. Therefore, the city sought ways to reduce emissions from existing buildings that it is unable to influence through its own investments or current regulatory tools.

Said Jakub Mrva, Deputy Mayor for the Environment and Climate:

“We needed to find new solutions that go beyond traditional municipal tools. On the basis of experience from abroad, we decided to create a programme of voluntary cooperation with companies to reduce emissions from their buildings."

This is how the Bratislava Mayor’s Climate Challenge, a programme built on shared responsibility and specific commitments, was created. The programme today has achieved a major milestone – the recognition of the first fulfilled goals and activities carried out.

In the pilot year of 2025, the challenge was open to businesses and the owners of large office and commercial spaces. For the first year, each of the 10 companies taking part chose two items from a set of predefined commitments. At least one had to be related to energy – reducing energy consumption or increasing energy production from renewable sources. Aside from energy, they could also choose a second goal from a variety of topics related to environmental sustainability. The first year demonstrated that voluntary cooperation can also bring significant results. The companies implemented measures in 12 buildings with a total floor area of approximately 250 thousand m². The result is real energy savings of approximately 1 GWh, investments of more than 10 million euros, and photovoltaic installations with a total output of 3.5 MWp, which corresponds to the annual electricity consumption of approximately 1,800 households in Slovakia or the annual carbon capture of approximately 65,000 trees. These results are not yet final, since some of the companies’ activities have only recently been completed, and their effects can only be assessed after a longer period of operational data collection. They already show, however, that reducing energy consumption, developing local renewable sources and decoupling buildings from fossil fuels are all important not only for the climate, but also for greater resilience of companies, residents and the city as a whole. In a time of growing uncertainty in energy markets, it was again shown how important it is to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and to strengthen energy security.

The benefits of the challenge are not only about numbers, however. The programme also brought a new type of relationship between the city and companies. Instead of one-time contacts, space for a long-term dialogue was created, for sharing experiences and the open naming of barriers.

Said project manager Marián Zachar:

“I appreciate that companies were willing to exchange experiences from pilot solutions and help each other. This is a great added value of the Climate Challenge, which we initially hoped for but could not automatically count on."

Added Marián Zachar:

“Several companies also confirmed to us that the challenge was a stimulus for them, thanks to which they carried out activities faster or on a larger scale."

As a result of this form of cooperation, barriers were also found that the city can help remove. One such example is the intention to replace gas heating in the Twin City project with heat pumps using groundwater. Since there was not sufficient space in the densely built-up area for the necessary drilling, the city collaborated across departments and created a new approach you find at web Bratislava ↗︎ that enabled the use of city land in similar cases.

Said Jozef Kubica from IAD Investments:

“We appreciate that the city was prepared to search for a practical solution for a project that eliminates the building’s dependence on gas. Our cooperation also helps other buildings that will want to switch to cleaner energy sources – from administrative operations, through schools to residential blocks."

The following companies took part in the pilot year of the Bratislava Mayor’s Climate Challenge: 365.invest, BILLA, CORWIN SK, HB Reavis, IAD Investments Fund, IKEA Bratislava, Kaufland Slovenská republika v.o.s., Lidl Slovenská republika, METRO Cash & Carry SR and TESCO STORES SR, and Mayor Matúš Vallo presented the award to them today.

Said Matúš Vallo, the Mayor od Bratislava:

“I would like to thank all partners for the results achieved and for building a more resilient Bratislava together. I appreciate that all partners are continuing with us in the second year and that six more companies have joined them. This is a strong signal of trust as well as a commitment for the city to continue implementing the Climate Plan."

The Climate Challenge of the Mayor of Bratislava is coordinated by the Climate Office, which is part of the Department of Urban Strategies and Analysis and is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the city’s climate plan. More information about the Climate Challenge can be found on the website Bratislava ↗︎.

The programme is funded by the European Union.