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Thessaloniki among the European cities to achieve climate-neutrality by 2030

On the 21st of March, 2024, the EU Mission Label was granted to 23 European cities as part of the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, one of the EU Missions under Horizon Europe. The Label recognises the cities’ plans to achieve climate-neutrality already by 2030 and aims to facilitate access to public and private funding towards that objective.

The EU Mission Label marks a significant milestone for cities, showcasing their Climate City Contracts that outline their vision for climate neutrality, including action plans and investment strategies developed in collaboration with local stakeholders.

Four Greek cities – Thessaloniki, Kalamata, Kozani, and Ioannina – received the EU Mission Label during the “EU Research and Innovation Days” event.

As Cooltorise, we are happy that our pilot city, Thessaloniki, is part of this list!

Thessaloniki’s involvement in COOLTORISE includes a range of activities aimed at raising awareness about summer energy poverty, such as conducting informative workshops and implementing outdoor interventions to improve indoor and outdoor comfort during hot weather, and adopting innovative solutions to enhance energy efficiency. Thessaloniki is making a meaningful contribution to sustainable urban development by participating in COOLTORISE, playing a part in the city’s broader goal of achieving climate neutrality.

Greece, through the actions of the General Secretariat for Spatial Planning and Urban Environment of the Ministry of Environment and the Greek Municipalities, is so far based on the evaluation of the Mission’s Council, among the three best practices of the EU Member States participating in the Climate Neutral and Smart Cities programme.

Photo retrieved from: https://ypen.gov.gr/simantiki-pistopoiisi-apo-ee-gia-thessaloniki-kalamata-kozani-ioannina/

In April 2022, 100 cities in the EU and 12 cities in countries associated with Horizon Europe were selected to act as hubs of experimentation and innovation to enable all European cities to follow suit by 2050. After almost two years, 33 cities have been awarded the title, with 4 Greek cities bringing Greece in 3rd place, among the countries that responded fastest and most fully to the requirements of the Mission.

The 23 cities that received the label in 2024 are: Ioannina, Kalamata, Kozani, Thessaloniki (Greece), Heidelberg (Germany), Leuven (Belgium), Espoo, Lahti, Lappeenranta, Tampere, Turku (Finland), Barcelona, Seville (Spain), Pecs (Hungary), Malmö (Sweden), Guimaraes, Lisbon (Portugal), Florence, Parma (Italy), Marseille, Lyon (France), Limassol (Cyprus) and Izmir (Türkiye).

In addition to Thessaloniki, Barcelona and Parma are also pilot cities of the COOLTORISE project , actively working  towards climate neutrality for a more inclusive and sustainable future!

References:

European Commission. (2024, March 21). EU Mission Label awarded to 23 European cities. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_1645

European Commission. (n.d.). EU Missions in Horizon Europe: Climate Neutral and Smart Cities. Retrieved from https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe/climate-neutral-and-smart-cities_en

General Secretariat for Spatial Planning and Urban Environment. (2024, March 24). Simantiki pistopoiisi apo EE gia Thessaloniki, Kalamata, Kozani, Ioannina. Retrieved from https://ypen.gov.gr/simantiki-pistopoiisi-apo-ee-gia-thessaloniki-kalamata-kozani-ioannina/

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Disclaimer: Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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