Horizon Europe: Mission – Climate Neutral and Smart Cities

The Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission will work to deliver 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030 and ensure that these cities act as experimentation and innovation hubs to enable all European cities to follow suit by 2050.

The Cities Mission will involve the participation of local authorities, citizens, businesses, investors and regional and national authorities. It takes a cross-sectoral and demand-led approach, creating synergies between existing initiatives and basing its activities on the actual needs of cities.

A central feature of the mission will be Climate City Contracts, which will be drawn up, signed and implemented by each participating city. While not legally binding, these contracts will constitute a clear and highly visible political commitment to achieving the mission’s goals. They will set out plans for the city to achieve climate neutrality by 2030 and include an investment plan. Climate City Contracts will be co-created with local stakeholders and citizens, with the help of a Mission Platform (to be set up by project NetZeroCities).

The Mission Platform will provide the necessary technical, regulatory and financial assistance to cities. In addition, Horizon Europe will invest around €350 million in research and innovation actions linked to the Mission (eg in mobility, energy, urban planning) in the period 2021-23.

In addition to the European Green Deal, this mission will contribute to the UN Agenda 2030, the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan, the Fit for 55 strategy, the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the EU Strategy on adaptation to climate change and the New European Bauhaus initiative.