Environment

It's time to turn the tide of climate change… This, at least, is the European Commission's ambition with its new call addressed to cities to join the mission "Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities".

The aim of this call: to achieve 100 climate-neutral and smart European cities by 2030 and to enable all European cities to follow suit by 2050.

“Joining the mission will put the selected cities right at the innovation forefront of the transition towards climate neutrality”, reads the Commission’s website. As the fight against climate change increasingly turns to deployment of solutions, cities are best placed to be the early adopters of the policies to get to climate neutrality. In the process, it will allow them to deliver multiple benefits to their communities in terms of reduced air and noise pollution, less congestion, lower energy bills and healthier lifestyles.

Reacting to this, CEMR Adviser in charge of environment and mobility, Axelle Griffon, said: “This Mission is undoubtedly a great way to provide technical and financial support to the selected cities in their transition towards climate neutrality. But there are thousands of other municipalities and regions pulling in the same direction to do more to tackle environmental and climate challenges. A higher climate ambition comes with responsibility for delivering it and we hope they will also receive support, regardless of their size. Furthermore, the Commission should make sure to strengthen synergies and connect the dots between existing initiatives involving local and regional governments such as the Covenant of Mayors.”

Cities can register for the call for expression of interest. They can respond to the call until 31 January 2022. After assessment by independent experts, the Commission will announce the list of selected participant cities by April 2022. The first cities will be able to start working on their Climate City Contracts with the support of the Mission Platform as soon as the selection process is completed.

The launch of the call took place at the Conference on European Missions at the Committee of the Regions and marks the first milestone in the implementation of the mission.