23 cities awarded EU’s Mission Label for their climate leadership in NetZeroCities programme

The European Commission has awarded its ‘Mission Label’ to 23 cities participating in the NetZeroCities programme, marking a significant achievement in the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission. Led by EIT Climate-KIC, NetZeroCities is an integral component of the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, which falls under the umbrella of Horizon Europe. This initiative equips European cities with a diverse array of tools aimed at facilitating their transition towards neutrality.

On Thursday, March 21st, EU Research Commissioner Iliana Ivanova presented the EU Mission Label to Ioannina, Kalamata, Kozani, and Thessaloniki (Greece); Heidelberg (Germany); Leuven (Belgium); Espoo, Lahti, Lappeenranta, Tampere, and Turku (Finland); Barcelona and Seville (Spain); Pécs (Hungary); Malmö (Sweden); Guimarães and Lisbon (Portugal); Florence and Parma (Italy); Marseille and Lyon (France); Limassol (Cyprus); and Izmir (Türkiye) during a ceremony attended by mayors and city representatives at the EU Research & Innovation Days—a renowned platform in Europe for discussing the future of science and innovation and collaborating on solutions with citizens and stakeholders.

The Mission Label is the European Commission’s recognition of cities’ successful development of their Climate City Contracts which outline the overall vision for climate neutrality and contains an action plan as well as an investment strategy. The awarded cities join another ten awardees who received the first labels in October 2023.

Climate City Contracts (CCC) are cities’ plans to achieve climate neutrality by 2030 and aim to facilitate access to public and private funding for this goal. Detailed CCC documents also include input from citizens and stakeholders – a key part of the process of engagement that continues after submission, as the city advances towards its climate goals and the CCC is developed further. As part of the process, cities co-create their Climate City Contracts with local stakeholders including the private sector and citizens.

“The Mission ambition for climate neutrality by 2030 requires cities to think and work differently. The recognition of their plans with a Mission Label is a testament to their commitment and work with the citizens and stakeholders who are essential to making those plans a reality. The team at NetZeroCities look forward to supporting our cities further as they take their next vital steps as Mission Label cities,” said NetZeroCities Director, Thomas Osdoba.

“Thessaloniki has a unique opportunity to set a common vision and develop a comprehensive and contemporary roadmap towards climate neutrality – not an easy task for a densely populated city. Being part of the Mission gives the city of Thessaloniki the mandate to act, to incentivize and enable the stakeholders of the city to work collaboratively. This commitment is valuable proof of Thessaloniki’’s endeavour,” said Deputy Mayor Prodromos Nikiforidis, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Read the European Commission’s press release here and the NetZeroCities press release here.