During a conference on European Missions focusing on the '100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission', EPP-CoR members committed to implement concrete measures on the ground in collaboration with citizens and the private sector to achieve climate neutrality.
Opening the conference was Apostolos Tzitzikostas, CoR President and President of Central Macedonia (Greece) who said "Our Committee stands ready for a decisive role in accelerating the implementation of the Missions bringing the latest, emerging solutions and technologies to every region so that no place is left behind. So, let us work together to help the European Missions deliver on their ambitions, supporting Europe’s transformation into a greener, healthier, more inclusive and resilient continent."
Markku Markkula, CoR rapporteur on the EU Missions said "The European Missions are something new and unique. Not just one EU programme more. We, at the local and regional level, have ambitions on what the EU Missions can bring." The President of the Helsinki Region said that each mission is a learning process and that the target of the municipalities and regions is to support the well-being of citizens through the services offered. The role of the cities has changed. Nowadays and even more in the future, cities operate as platforms for multi-actor service providers supporting others: businesses, educational and research institutions, organisations, and civil society. For example, the demonstration cities in Climate Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030, the first Mission to be launched, is ideal for developing these bottom-up procedures as an experiment to be used in other Missions.
Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj Napoca said that the launch of the EU mission for climate natural cities is proof of a pragmatic and functional Europe. "This is the kind of Europe that citizens want to see and that citizens want Europe to be". He added that cities had no time to waste to reach climate neutrality as they were on the forefront in the implementation process of European Green Deal policies. Boc stressed that for the mission to be a success, citizens had to be on board, strong investments had to be attracted and all levels of government had to work together. Referring to the vital role of citizens, the former Prime Minister of Romania said "We need to discuss with citizens the benefits of the mission and explain that this is no bureaucratic process but a mission that can bring positive change including a better way of life." Boc referred to various measures already being taken by Cluj-Napoca to reach climate neutrality including the 'Green Friday Programme' which offers citizens free public transport to encourage its use.
Matthew Baldwin, Deputy Director General of DG MOVE and manager of the cities mission said that the Cities Mission will involve local authorities, citizens, businesses, investors as well as regional and national authorities to deliver 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030 as well as to ensure that these cities act as experimentation and innovation hubs to enable all European cities to follow suit by 2050. These aims will be achieved through various elements including tailor made help with funding and financing. Cities will be able to make commitments through climate city contracts.
Further information
EU missions launched by the European Commission on 29 September 2021 are a new and innovative way to work together and improve the lives of people in Europe and beyond. EU missions aim to tackle big challenges in health, climate and the environment, and to achieve ambitious and inspiring goals in these areas by 2030. Their implementation requires a collective effort cutting across the boundaries of policies, programmes and different levels of governance. They aim to mobilise and activate public and private actors, such as EU Member States, regional and local authorities, research institutes, entrepreneurs and investors to create real and lasting impact. EU Missions will engage with citizens to boost societal uptake of new solutions and approaches.
Read more about the climate neutral and smart cities here.