NetZeroCities was created to support over 100 European Mission Cities reach their goal of climate neutrality by 2030. But with many of those cities now implementing their ambitious plans, how can their experience be deployed to help the many cities that will follow their lead? Meline Gonzalez-Piloyan and Ida Jusic from Eurocities, one of NetZeroCities’ main partners, write here about an important shift in the trajectory of the EU Cities Mission.
Connecting new cities more closely with the Mission Cities is crucial for fostering Europe-wide exchange on climate solutions. By building stronger links, cities can learn from the pioneering efforts of the Mission Cities, accelerating their own climate action with proven strategies and solutions.
In a survey of cities’ support needs in April 2024, cities themselves expressed a high interest in exchanging with like-minded cities and learning through short study visits, further highlighting the value of these connections.
The Mission Platform is therefore expanding its support to all cities across Europe aspiring to reach climate neutrality before 2050 and, in late spring 2025, we will run three Group Study Visits as part of our offer of learning activities for them.
Cities won’t reach climate neutrality on their own
Interested cities will first join online discussion groups, to be facilitated by NetZeroCities, and take part in four learning phases over five months. There they will gain an understanding of the climate solutions planned by Mission Cities across different sectors:
- energy
- buildings
- sustainable mobility
- circular economy
- industry
- nature-based
After completing these phases, cities will be invited to apply to join Group Study Visits and deepen their knowledge about the climate solutions they have been discussing online. Three Group Study Visits, each lasting approximately two days, will take place in different Mission Cities between May and June 2025, and aim to host a total of nine visiting cities (three visiting cities per study visit to a Mission City, accompanied by a facilitator from NetZeroCities consortium).
The timeline for the programme is as follows:
- December 2024: expression of interest to host Group Study Visits for Mission Cities
- January 2025: selection of three Mission Cities to host visits
- February 2025: expression of interest to apply as a visiting city
- March 2025: selection of nine visiting cities
- May/June 2025: Group Study Visits take place
Cities committed to climate neutrality by 2050 are welcome to apply!
Whether your city is already actively pursuing ambitious climate targets or just beginning to explore the possibilities, our programme offers invaluable access to information and support to propel you forward. NetZeroCities is committed to also helping cities across Europe who are starting to navigate their unique paths towards climate neutrality.
This work will offer tailored resources and guidance, helping cities accelerate their journey toward climate neutrality. By sharing the insights and strategies developed by the Mission Cities, the Mission Platform invites new cities to learn from these best practices and collaborative approaches.
Cities will gain access to the NetZeroCities Portal, peer-learning groups, direct exchanges with Mission Cities, and expert support — all designed to foster collaboration, share proven climate solutions, and support cities to reach climate neutrality. Our programme will include a mix of learning activities at EU and national level, online learning, best practices examples, training on tools and approaches used by Mission Cities, and direct city-to-city exchanges.
The value of collaborating on climate action
At NetZeroCities we believe in the added value of in-person site visits to foster collaboration and learning on climate action among European cities.
From our experience in the Twinning Learning Programme for Cohort 1, we know that site visits are crucial for strengthening collaboration between European cities and inspiring them to replicate climate action solutions (see images from site visit of Cologne to Vitoria, and Vari-Voula Vouliagmeni to Cluj-Napoca, under the framework of the Twinning Learning Programme, in autumn 2024).
These visits have been key in building trust among cities, offering hands-on learning by visiting projects in Mission Cities and inspiring cities to share insights from their own local contexts.
If your city has signed up to the Online Discussion Groups and would like to take the next step by witnessing first-hand the climate solutions planned by Mission Cities, then stay tuned for further information about our upcoming Group Study Visits.