Ukrainian city Rivne chosen for Net Zero Cities Pilot programme

Situated in Western Ukraine, Rivne (or Рівне in Ukrainian) was selected as one of the 53 Pilot Cities by NetZeroCities, a programme funded by Horizon 2020 that supports the EU Mission: Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities. With a population of around 240,000 people, Rivne will receive a grant of 38 million hryvnias (973 thousand euros) to combat climate change.

On Telegram, Rivne’s mayor Oleksandr Tretyak said: “Together with 52 other European pilot cities, we will implement innovative measures to improve climate change adaptation and rapid decarbonisation. Together with local higher education institutions, NGOs, and with the help of experts from EU countries, Rivne will implement a wide range of measures.”

These include:

• The creation of a community energy passport;
• The development of scenarios for the city’s transition to zero CO2 emissions by 2050;
• Training and promotion of energy efficiency through municipal educational institutions.

“With this programme, we will be able to implement new, more environmentally friendly approaches to lifestyle and work, improved transport, modernisation of buildings, energy systems, waste management, etc.,” Tretyak added.

In an article in the local media Suspilne, Olha Lyashchuk, an expert on adaptation to climate change and project coordinator at the Ecoclub NGO, noted that the city’s participation in the programme from NetZeroCities is “a great achievement and at the same time a responsibility.”

According to her, an action plan for sustainable energy development and climate is currently being prepared in Rivne. And as part of the development of this document, Ecoclub has prepared concrete proposals for climate change adaptation measures and provided all the developments to the city council.

The NetZeroCities Pilot Cities Project is a two-year programme led by Climate KIC and funded by the European Union under the EU Mission. Rome, Budapest, Madrid, Amsterdam, Warsaw, Krakow and Istanbul are other cities that have also been selected as part of the 53 Pilot Cities.

Learn more about the 53 Pilot Cities selected by Net Zero Cities here.