Hamish Pritchard and Helen Millman
December 13, 2024
Climate neutrality is the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. Ten European cities are on track to achieve this ambitious goal by 2030:
These cities have been awarded the Label of the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, which recognizes cities that are paving the way to a net-zero future.
These 10 cities are outpacing the EU’s own plans for climate neutrality, which has pledged to reach net zero by 2050.
One of the key factors that sets these cities apart is their commitment to public-private partnerships. By working together, governments and businesses can accelerate the development and implementation of innovative solutions for reducing emissions.
Another important factor is the strong engagement of citizens in these cities. People are increasingly demanding action on climate change, and cities that are able to harness this energy are more likely to succeed in their climate goals.
Globally, cities produce more than 70% of global CO2 emissions. This is why it is so important for cities to take action on climate change.
The World Economic Forum's Net Zero Carbon Cities programme is taking on the challenge of urban decarbonization by fostering public-private partnerships to speed up the process.
Hamish Pritchard and Helen Millman
December 13, 2024