Bratislava Mayor's Climate Challenge

The Bratislava Mayor’s Climate Challenge is an open initiative that provides a platform for the city and businesses to work together on concrete actions to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. Bratislava is determined not to face this challenge alone – it believes in the power of collaboration and shared responsibility on the path towards a sustainable future.

Since April 2024, the city has had its first Climate Plan and has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030. Achieving this goal will require significant and lasting change – across sectors, communities, and institutions.

The Climate Challenge was created with this in mind. Its aim is to foster long-term partnerships between the city and responsible businesses that want to help make Bratislava a healthier, more resilient, and climate-ready city.

The pilot year of the Challenge was launched in 2025 with the goal of engaging the first group of companies in reducing emissions. Ten companies joined the programme and successfully contributed to greater energy efficiency in buildings, lowering carbon emissions, and supporting sustainable innovation in Bratislava.

For the second edition of the Challenge, all ten companies are continuing in the programme with new motivations and goals. Moreover, they are joined by six more companies for the 2026 edition, including a first municipal organisation in the name of Bratislava Water Company.

The second, 2026 edition of the Challenge is opened for companies operating in Bratislava in expanded list of sectors:

• retailers, especially grocery stores,
• owners and managers of large office and retail buildings,
• partners of participating companies
• other sectors, where companies own or manage at least 10 000 square metres of building space or 15 individual operations.

Why should companies join?

• Become local leaders: Participating companies can show customers, employees and partners that they are making a real environmental impact in the communities they care about.
• Get communication support: The results that companies achieve within the challenge will be presented within the city's communication and at the final event to the speakers.
• Receive expert support: We offer tailor-made training with city experts or external consultants on energy and sustainability topics according to the needs of the participants.

How does it work?

Participants will join the challenge with one or more buildings, choosing two goals from the following areas for each operation.

Energy: Participating companies will choose one or two topics in this area:

• energy efficiency,
• renewable energy sources,
• long-term outstanding goal.

Sustainability: In case of involvement in only one of the energy topics, companies can choose one of the following topics:

• parking lots,
• waste and recycling,
• greenery and water,
• mobility and logistics,
• supply chain,
• neighbourhood cooperation,
• other possibilities according to the priorities of the participating company.

Get involved

1. Check the terms of participation: Detailed terms of participation can be found below in the Climate Challenge Participant Guide.
2. Express preliminary interest: Contact the Climate Office, which will guide you through the application process.
3. Choose goals: Choose goals from the program areas and plan activities at the selected facility.
4. Confirm your commitment: Complete the application form and sign the memorandum of cooperation for the two years of the challenge.
5. Get involved: In addition to fulfilling the set goals, use training, consultations and communication activities as appropriate.
6. Monitor: Provide input and output data to measure progress.

Challenge’s timeline

Participants enter the challenge by submitting an application for a two-year period. In 2026, they fulfil the goals of the first year and choose goals for 2027. Also in 2026, first-year participants continue in fulfilling their goals. You can find a detailed schedule of the pilot year in the downloadable documents below (only Slovak version).