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

2024-03-25T17:32:19+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 Mission2024-03-25T17:32:19+01:00

Wanted: More Cities for the Twinning Learning Programme!

2024-03-08T13:43:08+01:00

Reaching out to all cities interested in accelerating their climate transition, the ‘Twinning Learning Programme’ demonstrates some of the greatest strengths of the EU Cities Mission. By taking advantage of the deepening network between cities both within the Cities Mission and beyond, innovative climate solutions and approaches can be transferred widely. From 8 April, applications are invited from cities outside of the EU Cities Mission who are not already Pilot or Twin Cities. Successful candidates will begin their inspiring activities in September, which will include support for onsite visits and expert facilitation. The programme offers an invaluable opportunity to become [...]

Wanted: More Cities for the Twinning Learning Programme!2024-03-08T13:43:08+01:00

Mission Cities’ Policy Brief: Tackling Circular Economy Challenges

2024-03-04T18:13:14+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 Challenges2024-03-04T18:13:14+01:00

26 Cities to Receive Additional EU Support on Climate-neutral Journey

2024-01-23T16:10:24+01:00

The ambition of EU Mission Cities to reach their climate targets by 2030 has been given another important boost through Horizon Europe, the EU’s key research and innovation programme, and NetZeroCities, with new funding of up to 1.5 million Euros and access to expert support. Twenty-six cities from across the EU and in associated countries of Horizon Europe will benefit from nearly 15 million Euros in total to become ‘Pilot Cities’, acting as innovation hubs as they test solutions for rapid decarbonisation. The grants, awarded in packages of 500,000-600,000, 1 Million, or 1.5 Million Euros, will support Pilot Cities’ exploratory activities [...]

26 Cities to Receive Additional EU Support on Climate-neutral Journey2024-01-23T16:10:24+01:00

NetZeroCities Call for Pilot Cities, Cohort 3 is now open!

2024-01-16T14:34:25+01:00

This is the final call for cities to join the two-year Pilot Cities Programme in September 2024 and accelerate towards their 2030 climate-neutrality goals. The invite for applications for this cohort is open only to Mission Cities who are not yet part of the programme. Selected cities will explore and test pathways relevant to their key emission domains and generate learning that can inform decarbonisation activities in other cities across Europe. Prospective applicants can already read about some of the transformational activities of current Pilot Cities here. For this cohort, between 18 million and 26 million Euros will be distributed in [...]

NetZeroCities Call for Pilot Cities, Cohort 3 is now open!2024-01-16T14:34:25+01:00

The Art of Smart

2024-02-20T09:53:48+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 Smart2024-02-20T09:53:48+01:00

Budapest Winter School: Engaging Cities in Climate Action

2023-12-05T08:48:48+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 Action2023-12-05T08:48:48+01:00

Engaging Public and Private Partners on Portal CCC Tools & Indicators

2023-10-03T18:59:30+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 & Indicators2023-10-03T18:59:30+02:00

Dozens of Twin Cities across Europe to receive support and join the EU’s drive to 100+ climate-neutral cities

2024-03-08T13:47:38+01:00

Forty cities from across Europe have been announced as NetZeroCities’ first cohort of Twin Cities, joining the growing network of cities engaging with the EU’s Cities Mission to make more than 100 cities climate neutral by 2030.  The successful applicant cities, which include seven from Associated Countries of the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, will now be matched with a Pilot City or cluster of cities already innovating and piloting decarbonisation activities as part of the Cities Mission.  The NetZeroCities Twinning Programme ensures that progress on climate has a ripple effect, with success in one city paving the way for [...]

Dozens of Twin Cities across Europe to receive support and join the EU’s drive to 100+ climate-neutral cities2024-03-08T13:47:38+01:00

40 Twin Cities to Replicate New Approaches to Climate Neutrality

2024-03-08T13:48:59+01:00

Climate neutrality requires collaboration. That’s why the NetZeroCities Twinning Programme is matching 40 new Twin Cities from across Europe, including seven from Associated Countries, with Pilot Cities that are experimenting with new approaches to decarbonisation. As part of the EU’s ‘Cities Mission,’ this diverse cohort of Twin Cities is poised to replicate the successes seen in Pilot Cities, gleaning valuable insights from their testing of the latest strategies geared toward climate neutrality.  At its core, the NetZeroCities Twinning Programme is an effort to make sure that progress on climate has a ripple effect, with success in one city paving the way [...]

40 Twin Cities to Replicate New Approaches to Climate Neutrality2024-03-08T13:48:59+01:00
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