Regenerating Treviso through climate action: Meet Mario Conte, Mayor and EU Covenant Board Member

Since 2018, Mayor of Treviso, Mario Conte has been guiding the city through a long-term ecological transition aimed at improving quality of life, protecting the environment and strengthening climate resilience. Recognised for its efforts, Treviso was awarded European Green Leaf 2025, a reflection of the city’s commitment to sustainable policies in mobility, urban green spaces, energy and territorial regeneration.

As a member of the EU Covenant of Mayors Board, he brings the perspective of a medium-sized city that actively invests in cooperation with neighbouring municipalities to advance climate action at a wider territorial scale.

In this interview, Mayor Conte describes how Treviso is responding to climate challenges by regenerating degraded sites, investing in renewable energy and applying nature-based solutions that transform environmental challenges into green and productive spaces for the community. Read the full interview now to find out more. 

What are your top priorities as Mayor, and how do they align with your city’s long-term vision for sustainability and climate resilience? 

My main priorities as Mayor are to improve the quality of life of our citizens, protect the environment, and guide Treviso toward a solid and long-lasting ecological transition. Climate resilience is an integral part of our long-term vision and is translated into concrete policies that address mobility, urban green spaces, energy, and territorial regeneration. 

We, as administration, are working to make Treviso a more connected, greener, and safer city, capable of addressing climate challenges through emissions reduction, urban adaptation, and the recovery of degraded areas, transforming them into resources for the community. 

^{© Municipality of Treviso, Italy}

Can you share the most exciting or transformative project currently underway in your city that contributes to the EU Covenant of Mayors’ targets? What makes this project stand out? 

One of the most representative pillars of our strategy is the environmental regeneration of brownfield sites, which combines remediation, renaturalisation and the production of renewable energy. 

A concrete example is the remediation of the former landfill on “Via Orsenigo”, which will be transformed into an urban forest combined with a 1 MW photovoltaic park to support local energy communities. A site that for many years represented a significant environmental criticality, is now being returned to the city as a productive green space, generating environmental, social and energy benefits. 

I would also like to highlight the Green Walls installed in schools, which serve not only as educational tools but also as concrete measures to improve air quality and create cooler, healthier, and more welcoming spaces for children in their daily environments. Similarly, the intervention on the former incinerator on Via Selvatico represents another strategic regeneration project. This historically and environmentally sensitive site has been converted into a green lung, strengthening the city’s network of urban forests and enhancing its climate resilience. 

These projects are especially significant as they demonstrate how the ecological transition can be driven by the regeneration of existing assets, avoiding additional land take and reinforcing the city’s capacity to adapt to climate change, in full alignment with the objectives of the EU Covenant of Mayors. 

As a new member of the Covenant of Mayors Board, what unique perspective or initiative do you hope to bring? And what do you hope to learn from your fellow mayors? 

As a member of the Board of the EU Covenant of Mayors, I aim to bring forward Treviso’s experience as a medium-sized city that actively invests in territorial cooperation. 

The vision of “Greater Treviso” is rooted in the ambition to move beyond administrative boundaries and to develop shared strategic projects with the 19 neighbouring municipalities that make up the “Greater Treviso area”, particularly in the fields of sustainable mobility, energy policies and climate adaptation. The development of continuous cycling networks connecting the city centre, neighbourhoods and surrounding municipalities, together with shared initiatives such as “Bike to Work”, demonstrates how climate action can be more effective when designed and implemented at a supra-municipal scale. 

Through dialogue with fellow Mayors, I also expect to learn from new operational solutions and governance models that can help make local policies increasingly effective and impactful. 

What makes you proudest about your city - particularly in terms of its commitment to sustainability and improving residents’ quality of life? 

I am particularly proud of Treviso’s ability to turn environmental challenges into opportunities for regeneration. The remediation of the landfill on “Via Orsenigo” and the recovery of the former incinerator site on “Via Selvatico”, transformed into a peri-urban forest, are concrete examples of how a city can take care of its territory, returning green, safe, and energy-beneficial spaces to its citizens. 

These initiatives, together with the development of cycling paths, urban forests, and local energy communities, help improve health, well-being, and urban livability, while strengthening citizens’ sense of belonging. 

Beyond your official duties, how do you personally connect with your city’s people and culture? Are there any local traditions or hidden gems you would recommend to visitors? 

My connection with Treviso is deep and lived every day: it’s a city best discovered on foot or by bike, along the rivers, through its neighbourhoods, and in the newly reclaimed green spaces. I encourage visitors to explore not only the historic centre, but also the surrounding districts and the areas along the “Sile” River. 

These are places that tell the story of a transforming Treviso, capable of combining heritage, nature, and innovation, and they best embody the spirit of our community. 

^{© Municipality of Treviso, Italy}