Yesterday, the call for expressions of interest to become one of the 100 cities in Horizon Europe's Mission 100 Climate Neutral Cities closed. In total, 377 cities have submitted an application, representing 18% of the EU population. However, the countries from which the applications come are not specified.
- "It is incredibly encouraging that the interest in climate change is so great throughout Europe. We know that a lot of the applications come from Sweden, and we hope that many of them also become part of the initiative," says Olga Kordas, Viable Cities Program Manager.
- We are also proud that Viable Cities have pioneered and contributed to the mission, we have shown European cities the value of a mission-oriented approach and we have developed the first climate contract in Europe.
Viable Cities formerly Chairman Allan Larsson has been involved in shaping the mission of 100 climate-neutral cities through his work in the EU.
- I see our success with the climate contract from the beginning of 2020 as an expression of the fact that the 2020s will be the time of breakthroughs - the journey into the climate transition," says Allan Larsson.
Matthew Baldwin, who leads the EU's 100 climate-neutral cities mission, argues that cities face a huge challenge and that it needs to be tackled by many people together. He also points out that tackling climate change also brings major benefits to citizens: less air pollution, noise and traffic congestion and fewer deaths.
- We want thriving, pleasant cities that benefit our planet," says Matthew Bladwin, head of the EU Cities Mission.
The mission aims to create 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030, and to ensure that they serve as experimentation and innovation hubs for all European cities to follow by 2050. The Cities Mission, together with independent experts, will now start a process to select the 100 cities. The cities will be announced in spring 2022.
Read more on the European Commission's website
Some of the Swedish cities that applied
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Borlänge wants to become one of 100 climate-neutral cities in Europe
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Gävle municipality
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Our Gothenburg: City of Gothenburg wants to be one of 100 climate neutral cities in Europe
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City of Helsingborg
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Järfälla municipality
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Kalmar municipality
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Malmö
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DN: Stockholm steps up climate targets to be the best in the EU
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Umeå municipality
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Uppsala wants to be a European leader in the climate transition
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Växjö municipality applies to become one of the EU's climate-neutral cities
