Introduction to the Project

NetZeroCities supports the delivery of the Horizon Europe Mission on 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030 and its ambition to achieve climate neutrality in Europe by 2050. Cities have been assigned the ambitious task to lead the transition to net zero emissions, and the NetZeroCities project is designed to help cities overcome the structural, institutional and cultural barriers by providing innovative support and solutions that will help them achieve their climate neutrality goals in a socially-inclusive way. The project builds on the expertise of its 33 partners, representing a wide range of actors from 13 countries.

Project Objectives

NetZeroCities works as a service-oriented one-stop-shop Mission Platform supported by world-class practitioners. It helps European cities by providing them with the support and solutions they need to achieve their net zero goal in a socially inclusive way.

New and existing tools, resources, information and expertise are developed and promoted into the platform, which is accessible to all cities through an online portal. The project designs and provides knowledge and services related to systemic change, citizen engagement and democratic governance, capital and financial structuring, and social innovation to support cities that are part of the Mission. In addition, NetZeroCities supports a series of Pilots to help drive rapid learning about how to achieve climate neutrality at city scale, and runs a Twinning programme to enable peer-learning between cities.

 

ERRIN's Role

ERRIN is supporting and contributing to several key project tasks and activities within the NetZeroCities project. ERRIN is leading the work on establishing strategic partnerships between NetZeroCities and existing initiatives, projects and other EU Missions. This includes a comprehensive mapping of initiatives and projects at European level and aligning them with cities’ partnership needs. ERRIN is also supporting NetZeroCities’ efforts on policy innovation, which is mission-driven and focused on accelerating cities’ transition pathways. In addition to partnership and policy development, ERRIN is supporting the Climate City Contract (CCCs) process. To enhance this work, ERRIN has brought on board two Climate Neutral Cities Advisors who collaborate closely with cities and provide assistance throughout the CCC process. ERRIN is also leading some of the project’s work around multi-level governance in the Cities Mission. This work includes mapping national and regional support structures for the Mission, analysing innovative governance instruments and approaches, and facilitating dialogues and collaboration between the different levels of government across European countries. Furthermore, ERRIN actively contributes to the NetZeroCities project’s efforts in citizen and stakeholder engagement, providing cities with tools to support them in bringing the different actors on board to achieve the Mission goals.

  • Heidi Johansson
  • Project Manager
  • Ryan Titley
  • Director of Projects
  • Pirita Lindholm
  • Director
  • Gianpiero Petruzziello
  • Project and Communications Officer
  • Julie Delcroix
  • Climate Neutral Cities Advisor
  • Silvia Ghiretti
  • EU Missions and Policy Officer
  • Joanna Komperda
  • Project and Policy Manager

Benefit & Links

ERRIN’s work on the Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities has over the past years been driven by the Smart Cities Working Group, with the involvement and input from a range of members from other Working Groups. ERRIN is driving its work in the NetZeroCities project through the Smart Cities WG by providing first-hand information to ERRIN members on the opportunities presented by the project and using the Working Group to feed back on activities in the project. The project provides an opportunity for ERRIN to work closely with its members and support them in developing and implementing their Climate City Contracts – both the members that are part of 112 selected Mission Cities as well as the wider membership.

Latest Updates

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  • By Heidi Johansson

The Cities Mission Platform extends its support to all European cities

The Cities Mission Platform, supporting the work of the 112 Mission Cities towards climate neutrality, is now extending part of its support to any European city aiming to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest. Through this programme, cities across Europe will be able to learn from the approaches implemented by Mission Cities, engage in online and in-person city-to-city exchanges at the EU and national level, and gain access to the online Mission Portal and its resources. To better tailor the programme to the needs of cities, the platform has developed a needs-assessment survey that is currently open until 17 May 2024.

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  • By Heidi Johansson

The application for the Cities Mission Twinning Learning Programme is now open

Cities across the EU and Horizon Europe Associated Countries can apply to join the EU Cities Mission’s Twinning Learning Programme between 8 April and 31 May 2024. Facilitated by the NetZeroCities project, in which ERRIN is a partner, the Twinning Learning Programme will pair applicants with the second cohort of Pilot Cities, who act as innovation hubs to pursue activities related to rapid decarbonisation.

23 new Mission Cities awarded the Mission Label
  • By Heidi Johansson

23 new Mission Cities awarded the Mission Label

During a dedicated session at the EU Research & Innovation Days, 23 new cities part of the EU Mission on 100 climate-neutral and smart cities were awarded the Mission Label for their plans to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. ERRIN is pleased to see that 15 cities are located in ERRIN member regions.

TRAMI Mission Data Platform
  • By Silvia Ghiretti

Governance structures to implement the EU Missions: check the new Mission Data Platform

A new Mission Data Platform has recently been launched by TRAMI, the EU-funded project focusing on transnational cooperation on the Mission-approach and effective implementation of the EU Missions. This tool supports and links with ERRIN's work on multi-level governance in the Cities Mission within the NetZeroCities project.

26 additional cities selected to join the NetZeroCities Pilot Cities Programme
  • By Gianpiero Petruzziello

26 additional cities selected to join the NetZeroCities Pilot Cities Programme

The NetZeroCities project, in which ERRIN is a partner, has selected 26 additional cities from 16 countries to take part in its Pilot Cities Programme. ERRIN is delighted to note that 12 cities from ERRIN member regions have been chosen, including Riga and Lyon, both supported by ERRIN’s NetZeroCities Climate Neutral Cities Advisors. 

Pilot call
  • By Heidi Johansson

Third NetZeroCities call for Pilot Cities now open!

NetZeroCities has opened its third and final call for cities to join the two-year Pilot Cities Programme. The call is open only to Mission Cities who are not yet part of the Pilot Cities Programme. The deadline for applications is 18 March 2024.