Everyday, i ask myself the same question: how can I help public decision-makers ensure energy security, economic attractiveness, and environmental security for their cities? Recent crises have revealed the fragility of our energy supplies and the urgent need to rethink our models. Heating represents one of the greatest challenges in urban energy consumption, accounting for a significant share of cities' energy needs. Persistent dependence on fossil fuels exposes our cities to major risks: price volatility, growing energy poverty, rising CO₂ emissions. While debates often focus on renewable electricity, I observe that conventional solutions are no longer sufficient. It is time to turn local resources into strategic assets. This is why I am convinced that urban district heating networks represent a concrete and innovative solution, capable of accelerating cities' energy transition, strengthening their resilience, and strengthening their energy independence . Through a locally adapted energy mix , leveraging biomass, geothermal energy, waste heat, and other local resources, these long-term local infrastructure enable the decarbonization of heating and cooling while guaranteeing affordable and stable energy for all. Key points to remember - Heat accounts for 50% of final energy consumption in Europe, and nearly 70% of this demand still depends on fossil fuels. - The urban district heating network brings together of local resources (biomass, geothermal energy, industrial waste heat, data center waste heat, heat recovered from wastewater and treatment plants, heat produced from non-recyclable waste) to deliver reliable and affordable energy. - The unique combination of Veolia's expertise in water, waste, and energy sectors enables the design of ultra-efficient circular economy loops at the heart of communities. - Veolia's innovative Ecothermal Grid offering provides a direct path toward carbon-neutral, intelligent networks designed for small and medium-sized cities. Let us explore how communities that have invested in urban district heating networks have