On April 28, the European Commission announced 100 cities that will participate in the EU Mission for Climate Neutrality and Smart Cities by 2030, the so-called Mission of Cities.
Mission Cities will receive € Horizon Europe's 360 million funding for 2022-23 to launch innovative pathways to climate neutrality by 2030, reports European Commission.
Cities come from all 27 Member States and 12 from countries linked to or with the potential to be linked to Horizon Europe, the EU's 2021-2027 research and innovation program.
75% of EU citizens live in cities, and globally urban areas consume more than 65% of the world's energy, which is more than 70% of CO2 emissions. The paper emphasizes the importance of cities as experimental and innovative ecosystems to help others become climate-neutral by 2050.
"The Green Crossing is now taking place all over Europe. But we always need pioneers who set even higher goals. These cities are showing us the way to a healthier future. We will support them in this! We will start today", she said President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
The mission's research and innovation activities will focus on environmental mobility, energy efficiency and green urban planning, as well as proposals to build joint initiatives and increase synergies with other EU programs.
Benefits for cities include individual advice and assistance from the NetZeroCities mission platform, additional funding and funding opportunities, and the opportunity to join major innovation actions and pilot projects. The mission also provides opportunities for communication, exchange of best practices between cities and support for involving citizens in the mission.
The next step will be to invite selected cities to develop contracts that will include an overall climate neutrality plan in all sectors, such as energy, construction, waste management and transport, together with relevant investment plans. Citizens, research organizations and the private sector will be involved in this process.
The city's clear and obvious commitments to urban climate contracts will enable them to work with the EU, national and regional authorities and their citizens to achieve an ambitious goal. The Commission will also provide support to 377 non-selected cities, including support through the Mission Platform and funding opportunities under the Horizon Europe Mission's Cities work program.
"Cities are at the forefront of tackling the climate crisis, whether it's greening cities, tackling air pollution, reducing energy consumption in buildings or promoting clean mobility solutions: cities are often at the heart of the changes Europe needs to succeed in our transition to My congratulations to today's selected cities, I look forward to the solutions you develop to guide your people and business towards a greener future. " commented Executive Vice President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans.
Competitive selection of participating cities took place from November 2021 to January 31, 2022. 12% of the EU population lives in the selected 100 cities.
In addition to the Urban Mission, there are four other EU missions that highlight global challenges in the areas of adaptation to climate change, ocean and water restoration, healthy soils and cancer.
The missions are a novelty in Horizon Europe and support the Commission's priorities, such as the European Green Agreement, Europe, which is approaching the digital age, the European Cancer Plan, the Economy for People and the New European Bauhaus.
We will remind, launched in Europe research and social initiatives to achieve stability.
As reported EcoPoliticа before, 6 cities with India, Costa Rica and Kenya will start decarbonizing buildings.
