CIVITAS cities selected to join the European Commissions' Cities Mission
At the beginning of this year, the European Commission launched its first call for cities to join its Climate-neutral and Smart Cities Mission, and thereby to commit to signing climate city contracts to become climate-neutral by 2030. A remarkable 377 cities submitted expressions of interest to join the Mission. The Commission has just announced which of these applicants have been selected to join the Cities Mission. Of note, 64 out of the 100 European #MissionCities are CIVITAS cities, as well as five out of the 11 additional #MissionCities chosen from amongst Associated Countries.
Being selected from amongst the impressive list of applicants was no small feat! Selected cities represent global leaders ready to pave the way for a climate-neutral future.
In a European Commission press release, Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean, said:
“In their quest to become smart and climate-neutral by 2030, the 100 EU cities... will be natural ‘test beds’ for innovative integrated solutions to many of the issues facing our citizens today, including urban mobility. Drawing on our New Urban Mobility Framework, they have the tools to making interurban and urban mobility healthy and sustainable, for instance by doubling high-speed rail traffic and developing extra cycling infrastructure over the next 10 years, investing in safe bike lanes, and ensuring connectivity with rural and suburban areas so that commuters are given sustainable mobility options. I am sure they will succeed, and I encourage other cities across Europe to follow their lead.”
As a next step, the selected cities will work with diverse stakeholders to develop Climate City Contracts, which will detail their plans to become climate-neutral across all sectors. However, they won't have to do this work alone. A Mission Platform will provide technical, regulatory and financial assistance to help the cities to develop and implement their actions and to become climate-neutral.
See the full list of CIVITAS cities that have been selected to join #MissionCities, here.
Congratulations to these urban leaders!
Author: Adrienne Kotler
