EU #MissionCities Archives

More European cities reach milestone on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission

Ella Morgan2024-03-25T17:32:19+01:00

At a ceremony in Brussels, 23 cities – all part of the EU Cities Mission – received a ‘Mission Label’, following the submission of their Climate City Contract or CCC, which defines the city’s climate commitments, action plan, and investment strategy to become climate neutral by 2030. Detailed CCC documents also include input from citizens and stakeholders – a key part of the process of engagement that continues after submission, as the city advances towards its climate goals and the CCC is developed further. The labels are a recognition of the city’s plans by the European Commission, which it is hoped [...]

More European cities reach milestone on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities MissionElla Morgan2024-03-25T17:32:19+01:00

Mission Cities’ Policy Brief: Tackling Circular Economy Challenges

Ella Morgan2024-03-04T18:13:14+01:00

With cities at the forefront of climate neutrality solutions, their experiences hold valuable lessons for national authorities and EU decision-makers in the framework of the European Green Deal. A first Policy Lab, facilitated by NetZeroCities, gathered representatives from 21 Mission Cities to explore the intricacies of circular economy practices, with a particular focus on circular construction and reducing plastic waste. The insights gathered from Mission Cities Oslo, Helsinki, and Stockholm, alongside contributions from eighteen additional Mission Cities, have culminated in the production of a first Mission Cities’ Policy Brief. This document presents a comprehensive set of policy recommendations aimed at EU decision-makers and [...]

Mission Cities’ Policy Brief: Tackling Circular Economy ChallengesElla Morgan2024-03-04T18:13:14+01:00

Stockholm and Sønderborg – big and small Nordic Mission Label cities show the power of collaboration in climate action

Ella Morgan2024-03-01T14:50:53+01:00

Author: Alan MacKenzie “It's important to be humble and understand that there are always great challenges ahead of you”, Björn Hugosson, Stockholm’s chief climate officer, says. Since 1990, the city has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by two-thirds, alongside a growing population and economy. But even with more than 30 years of climate action behind them, the city is still being challenged – and challenging itself – to do better. Following the award of one of the first ten ‘Mission Labels’ from the EU, which recognises the strength of the city's plans to reach climate neutrality by the end of [...]

Stockholm and Sønderborg – big and small Nordic Mission Label cities show the power of collaboration in climate actionElla Morgan2024-03-01T14:50:53+01:00

Innovation and learning hubs for climate-neutrality: what’s next for the cities in the Pilot Cities Programme?

Clea Prieto2024-02-08T13:45:06+01:00

Author: Elisa Abrantes The Pilot Cities programme is set to scale up with a second cohort of 26 European cities. This brings the total number of participating municipalities to 79, all of which are working to develop innovative solutions for rapid decarbonisation. The third and final call to join the PCP is now open and will soon increase this number even further. The goal of generating groundbreaking solutions is matched by a robust focus on learning within the Pilot Cities Programme. Particular emphasis is placed on collective learning entailing the pooling of diverse perspectives to create shared understandings. This collaborative [...]

Innovation and learning hubs for climate-neutrality: what’s next for the cities in the Pilot Cities Programme?Clea Prieto2024-02-08T13:45:06+01:00

European cities test innovative pathways to climate neutrality in the Pilot Cities Programme

Clea Prieto2024-03-08T13:46:02+01:00

Author: Elisa Abrantes Over 50 European cities are just short of a quarter of the way through their two-year Pilot City Programme experience, and more EU Mission Cities recently applied to be part of the second cohort, to accelerate their efforts to achieve climate neutrality. Cities that are part of the programme receive an EU grant and support from the NetZeroCities platform over a two-year period to test innovative pathways to climate neutrality, aimed at overcoming entrenched and systemic barriers to change in their context. The Pilot Cities Programme is the main way in which [...]

European cities test innovative pathways to climate neutrality in the Pilot Cities ProgrammeClea Prieto2024-03-08T13:46:02+01:00

The Art of Smart

Clea Prieto2024-02-20T09:53:48+01:00

Author: Alan MacKenzie The EU Cities Mission aims to make over 100 cities both climate-neutral and smart by 2030 – but what is a “smart city” and how does it help its climate goals? On Sweden’s southwest coast, the city of Helsingborg sees itself “as an enabler of innovation, rather than the innovators ourselves,” says Åsa Bjering, the programme manager for the city’s department of ‘Innovation and Green Transformation’. The distinction is important. A 2020 European Capital of Innovation Awards finalist, Helsingborg is well known for its forward thinking, and Bjering’s department brings together [...]

The Art of SmartClea Prieto2024-02-20T09:53:48+01:00

Budapest Winter School: Engaging Cities in Climate Action

Clea Prieto2023-12-05T08:48:48+01:00

Representatives from 19 Mission Cities will go into 2024 with renewed purpose and refreshed skills following a successful NetZeroCities Winter School in Budapest in late November. The 29 participants celebrated the opportunity to collaborate and share learning with contemporaries from across Europe, eager to transform their cities into models of sustainability and resilience. “The event was very informative, stimulating, and interactive. It deepened my understanding of the EU Cities Mission and process. I’m grateful for the organisation of such a meaningful event”, said one participant. Another said: “It was great to make contact with other cities and learn about the different [...]

Budapest Winter School: Engaging Cities in Climate ActionClea Prieto2023-12-05T08:48:48+01:00

Krakow: Paving the way to climate neutrality

Clea Prieto2023-11-15T11:49:31+01:00

Krakow, alongside several other prominent Polish cities, is dedicated to achieving climate neutrality through the EU’s Mission of “100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030”, with support from NetZeroCities. Within the framework of the EU’s Cities Mission, these urban centres are diligently crafting their unique Climate City Contracts, which will serve as comprehensive blueprints for their individualised climate strategies. Warsaw, Rzeszów, Łódź, Wrocław and Krakow are also taking part in the NetZeroCitiesPilot CitiesProgramme. The cities have joined forces under the NEEST project to develop their Pilot Activity - a practical retrofit tool to curb emissions from buildings. The Pilot Cities [...]

Krakow: Paving the way to climate neutralityClea Prieto2023-11-15T11:49:31+01:00

EU Mission Label award can ‘unlock’ cities’ potential on climate neutrality

Clea Prieto2023-11-14T19:14:36+01:00

"The first Mission Cities to secure the Mission Label is a milestone on their way to climate neutrality. We all know how big the challenge is and this key step is a sign of progress and momentum. The EU Mission Label has the power to significantly accelerate the climate transition journey for European Cities and unlock their potential.", says Thomas Osdoba, Director of the Mission Platform, NetZeroCities. After months of hard work and collaboration between Mission Cities, their local, regional, and, in some cases, national stakeholders—with the support of Mission platform partners across Europe—10 cities have had their Climate City Contracts [...]

EU Mission Label award can ‘unlock’ cities’ potential on climate neutralityClea Prieto2023-11-14T19:14:36+01:00

Engaging Public and Private Partners on Portal CCC Tools & Indicators

Clea Prieto2023-10-03T18:59:30+02:00

Envisaging New Connections NetZeroCities supports cities as they commit to ambitious action to get to climate neutrality. In supporting cities to develop and enact ambitious climate action plans, the Cities Mission aims to stimulate new ways of working and connecting, across sectors and institutions. The Climate City Contract (CCC) model helps cities to engage with stakeholders and make systemic change possible – and the NetZeroCities Portal helps cities to put that model into action. With Mission Cities committed to engaging in the CCC process that incorporates many other aspects of their existing climate planning and reporting, we see a significant opportunity [...]

Engaging Public and Private Partners on Portal CCC Tools & IndicatorsClea Prieto2023-10-03T18:59:30+02:00

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