NetZeroCities Blog: Power up your city’s climate action story

Hey there, city changemakers.

Buckle up and get ready to take a deep dive into the world of climate-neutral cities!

This is the NetZeroCities Blog, your go-to for all stories of urban sustainability in Europe. We’re on a mission to supercharge sustainable development through collaboration, innovation, and sharing impactful yet energising knowledge.

City officials and sustainability champions, we want to hear from you!

Whether you’re deeply ingrained in a transition team, celebrating a small win, or just sharing the day-to-day challenges of making your city more sustainable, your story matters. We want it all, from those “aha!” moments to the nitty-gritty details of well-orchestrated and highly-planned projects.

We’re looking for all kinds of content, from the technical and granular to the social and policy side of things. Send us an email and we’ll follow up with everything you need! Let’s get your story out there.

So, if you’re a changemaker or expert from a Mission City, Pilot City, Twin City, or our very own NetZeroCities consortium, we invite you to join us! Contribute your story, subscribe to the newsletter, and become part of the movement making European cities greener, cleaner, and more equitable.

Sure, reducing emissions is a big deal, in fact, it’s the whole reason NetZeroCities exists. From a personal perspective, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. We’re talking about creating healthier, more resilient, and just plain cooler places to live for generations to come.

 This blog as a climate action hub

Think of this space as an inspirational climate action community centre – a perfect editorial pairing to run parallel with our NetZeroCities Portal. We’ll be showcasing the hands-on, grassroots efforts of European cities on the path to climate neutrality. Expect stories of innovation, challenges overcome (because, let‘s be honest, there will be some bumps, hiccups and hurdles), and the human spirit and radical collaboration that’s driving this whole movement of change. 

The perks of going climate neutral

Striving for climate neutrality isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good for cities and people! We’re talking cleaner air, more vibrant urban spaces, a booming green economy and plenty more co-benefits. And whether you’re a city representative, urban sustainability practitioner, or concerned citizen, through this blog we’ll share the knowledge and experiences that can inspire and guide your city’s journey. Consider it your editorial cheat sheet to a sustainable urban future! ️

Join the NetZeroCities conversation! ️

This blog is more than just one-way traffic. We want you to be part of the conversation! Here’s how you can get involved:

  • Comment on our social media posts. Let’s get a discussion going!
  • Share our content on your social media channels. Help us spread the word! (We’re on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.)
  • Join the NetZeroCities Portal. It’s a treasure trove of resources and a great place to connect with other sustainability champions.

Get inspired by real, ground-level stories and content

With this blog, we are sharing some amazing stories from our contributors. Think in-depth case studies, quick updates, and everything in between. We want to show you the diversity of content and perspectives that make this blog a beacon of hope, a mechanism for action and a destination to reflect and share the complex realities of our journey, together.

When efficiency isn’t enough: how sufficiency policies can help cities to reduce resource demand while ensuring a good life for all

January 19th, 2026|

Research increasingly shows that energy and resource efficiency and technological innovation alone cannot solve our climate and environmental crises. Major actors like the IPCC and the EU Horizon Programme are therefore turning their eyes towards how resource demand can be reduced, while ensuring that everyone’s [...]

GUEST BLOG: Pedal Power: the COP Bike Ride crossed 19 Mission Cities and delivered a strong message on cycling at COP30 in Belém

November 27th, 2025|

When cities embrace bike-friendly design, they not only reduce emissions but encourage healthier communities, calmer streets and a culture of sustainability. Acting EU Cities Mission Board Chair Paulo Ferrão and board member Françoise Guaspare [...]