These Ten European cities awarded for 2030 Climate neutrality plans

The European Commission has bestowed the EU Mission Label for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities upon ten cities across Europe, in recognition of their ambitious plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Cities that have successfully devised a Climate City Contract, a comprehensive plan outlining their journey towards carbon neutrality, receive this prestigious label.

The EU Mission Label serves as a seal of approval from the European Union, acknowledging the cities’ commitment to transforming into smart, emission-free urban areas. It also provides them with access to public funding and potentially attracts private investment to help them achieve their climate goals.

These ten cities are leading the way in Europe’s fight against climate change, setting an example for others to follow. Their commitment to achieving climate neutrality 20 years ahead of the EU’s target for the rest of Europe is truly commendable. The European Commission’s announcement of these awards on Thursday marks a significant milestone in Europe’s journey towards a sustainable future.

Cities awarded for climate neutrality commitment

Background

Cities, which are responsible for over 70% of global CO₂ emissions and consume more than 65% of the world’s energy, play a pivotal role in climate mitigation. Their actions can significantly accelerate the achievement of the EU’s legally-binding commitment to climate neutrality by 2050, as well as its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030.

This is the driving force behind the EU Cities Mission, which aims to assist European cities in becoming climate-neutral and providing their citizens with cleaner air, safer transport, and less congestion and noise.

In April 2022, the mission selected 100 cities within the EU and 12 cities in countries associated with Horizon Europe. These cities are striving for climate neutrality by 2030 and are pioneering innovative cross-sectoral approaches, including citizen engagement, stakeholder management, and internal governance.

They serve as hubs for experimentation and innovation, paving the way for all European cities to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

The Cities Mission is one of five EU Missions under Horizon Europe that aim to provide tangible solutions to some of our most pressing societal challenges. These missions have set ambitious goals and are committed to delivering concrete results by 2030.

The other missions focus on Adaptation to Climate Change, Cancer, Ocean and Waters, and Soil. In July 2023, the Commission proposed an additional mission on the New European Bauhaus in its Communication “EU Missions two years on: assessment of progress and way forward”.

EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities

The EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, an initiative encompassing 100 cities from all 27 EU member states and 12 additional cities associated with the EU Research Program, Horizon Europe, is making strides towards achieving Climate City Contracts for all participating cities.

This initiative was launched in response to the significant environmental impact of urban areas, which are responsible for over 70% of global emissions and consume more than 65% of the world’s energy.

Maros Sefcovic, Executive Vice President for the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations, and Foresight, emphasized the crucial role of cities in achieving the EU’s ambitious targets of a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050.

The cities involved in this initiative are taking tangible steps towards carbon neutrality. For instance, Madrid has introduced Europe’s largest smart waste system to curb emissions, traffic, and noise pollution.

This system utilizes sensors in waste bins to collect data that informs efficient waste collection and route planning. Other cities are exploring the use of emission-free delivery vehicles and sustainable building materials as part of their decarbonization strategies.

The EU Mission program aims to foster these changes by encouraging collaboration among various stakeholders to implement new sustainability proposals.

Sefcovic commended the ten cities that were recently awarded for their pioneering efforts and urged national and regional governments, local businesses, investors, and innovators to support these cities in realizing their plans. He also encouraged all European cities to strive for climate neutrality.

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