European cities recognised for climate action plans

The climate action plans of 10 European cities have been recognised by the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, one of the EU Missions in the Horizon Europe programme.

The EU Mission Label is an acknowledgement of the successful development of Climate City Contracts, which outline the cities’ overall vision for climate neutrality, and contain an action plan as well as an investment strategy.

The cities are: Sønderborg (Denmark); Mannheim (Germany); Madrid, Valencia, Valladolid, Vitoria-Gasteiz and Zaragoza (Spain); Klagenfurt (Austria); Cluj-Napoca (Romania); and Stockholm (Sweden).

Climate-neutrality by 2030

The label recognises the cities’ plans to achieve climate-neutrality by 2030 and aims to facilitate access to public and private funding towards that objective.

Cities co-create their Climate City Contracts with local stakeholders, including the private sector and citizens. A first group of cities presented their contracts in April 2023, which were reviewed by the European Commission with the support of experts, including from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC).

“Cities and towns are at the frontline of the just green transition. Full engagement is needed at local level to meet the 55 per cent greenhouse gas emission reduction target by 2030”

Following a positive review, cities receive an EU Mission Label, which is intended to facilitate access to EU, national, and regional funding and financing sources, in particular private investment.

The initial 10 cities are paving the way for others to move faster towards a fair green and digital transition, and they set an example for inclusive co-creation of policy at the local level. In total, 100 EU cities participate in the EU Cities Mission, with 12 additional cities from countries associated to Horizon Europe.