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

E&C
  • By Rodolphe Doité

Regulatory Sandboxes in the Energy Sector - Call for examples

The Energy and Climate Working Group is looking for examples of the creation or the use of regulatory sandboxes in the energy sector, to be presented in an upcoming meeting on this topic on Tuesday 12 December between 14:00-15:30 CET.

DS4SCC
  • By Rodolphe Doité

Cascade funding soon available to deploy data spaces for cities and communities

The EU-funded project Data Spaces for Smart and Sustainable Cities and Communities will open a call in January 2024 to select pilot projects for the deployment of the Data Space.

Ten European cities awarded with the EU Mission Cities Label
  • By Gianpiero Petruzziello

Ten European cities awarded with the EU Mission Cities Label

On 12 October, the European Commission awarded the first ten European cities with the Label of ‘EU Mission Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities’ for their plans to achieve climate-neutrality by 2030.  The EU Mission Label symbolises a crucial milestone, not only recognising the comprehensive plans of these cities to achieve climate neutrality by 2030 but also serves as a catalyst for facilitating access to both public and private funding to support these ambitious goals. 

Multi-stakeholder engagement showcases the path to climate neutrality at European Week of Regions and Cities
  • By Gianpiero Petruzziello

Multi-stakeholder engagement showcases the path to climate neutrality at European Week of Regions and Cities

On 10 October, a collaborative and interactive event was jointly hosted by ERRIN, MOSAIC and the European Commission during the European Week of Regions and Cities. This session brought together experts and stakeholders from across Europe to explore the significant role of multi-stakeholder engagement in advancing the journey towards climate neutrality for European cities. 

13 cities from ERRIN member regions selected as NetZeroCities Twin Cities
  • By Gianpiero Petruzziello

13 cities from ERRIN member regions selected as NetZeroCities Twin Cities

The NetZeroCities project, in which ERRIN is a partner, has through its Twinning Programme matched 40 Twin Cities from across Europe with the 53 Pilot Cities that were selected earlier this year. ERRIN is pleased to see that 13 of the selected Twin Cities come from ERRIN member regions.

NetZeroCities Call for Pilot Cities
  • By Gianpiero Petruzziello

NetZeroCities Call for Pilot Cities

The NetZeroCities project, in which ERRIN is a partner, has opened a second Call for Pilot Cities. Mission Cities which are not yet part of the Pilot Cities Programme can apply to test and implement innovative approaches towards rapid decarbonisation. The Call for Pilot Cities is open until 6 November 2023 17.00 CET.