EC names 100 cities for its climate-neutral and smart cities mission
Selected cities will be invited to develop Climate City Contracts, which will include an overall plan for climate neutrality across all sectors such as energy, buildings, waste management and transport.
The European Commission (EC) has announced the 100 European Union (EU) cities that will participate in the EU Mission for 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030.
The 100 cities come from all 27 member states, with 12 additional cities coming from countries associated or with the potential of being associated to Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme (2021-2027).
The “Cities Mission” will receive €360m of Horizon Europe funding, covering the period 2022-23, to start the innovation paths towards climate neutrality by 2030.
Joint initiatives
The research and innovation actions will address clean mobility, energy efficiency and green urban planning, and offer the possibility to build joint initiatives and ramp up collaborations in synergies with other EU programmes.
Benefits for cities include tailor-made advice and assistance from a dedicated Mission Platform run by NetZeroCities, additional funding and financing opportunities and the possibility to join large innovation actions and pilot projects. The mission also provides networking opportunities, exchange of best practices between cities and support to engage citizens in the mission.
“The green transition is making its way all over Europe right now,” said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the EC. “But there’s always a need for trailblazers, who set themselves even higher goals. These cities are showing us the way to a healthier future. We will support them on this. Let’s begin the work today.”
“The green transition is making its way all over Europe right now. But there’s always a need for trailblazers, who set themselves even higher goals”
The commission will invite the 100 selected cities to develop Climate City Contracts, which will include an overall plan for climate neutrality across all sectors such as energy, buildings, waste management and transport, together with related investment plans.
This process will involve citizens, research organisations and the private sector. The clear and visible commitments made by the cities in the Climate City Contracts will enable them to engage with the EU, national and regional authorities – and most importantly with their own citizens to deliver on this objective.
“Horizon Europe Missions have a great potential to deliver the European Green Deal objectives, including European energy security,” said Mariya Gabriel, commissioner for innovation, research, culture, education and youth. “The selected cities represent a first step covering a wide geographical footprint.
“Horizon Europe Missions have a great potential to deliver the European Green Deal objectives, including European energy security”
“We want that concrete benefits reach all our regions and citizens, through innovation, empowering large and small cities with different levels of experience and capacities. I encourage all cities to reach out and work with all stakeholders, including of course their citizens, to achieve together our ambitious goals.”
Cities were invited to express their interest to become part of the mission in November 2021. Independent experts evaluated each expression of interest and then the commission applied additional criteria to ensure a geographical balance and a diverse group of cities in terms of size, impact and innovative ideas. The 100 EU Cities chosen represent 12 per cent of the EU population.
A map of the cities chosen can be found here 100 EU cities.
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