The NetZeroCities Pilot Cities Program supports European cities to test and implement innovative approaches to rapid decarbonization over a two-year pilot program, working across thematic areas and functional silos in support of systemic transformation.

The selection of pilots seeks to address all urban systems contributing to climate-neutrality, including mobility, energy systems and the built environment, material and resource flows, natural areas, cultural/social/financial/institutional systems, and accessible public spaces.

Subject matter expert (freight transportation and urban goods movement): Served as a subcontractor to assist in the development of scoring criteria for the pilot cities applications. Reviewed submission projects from across the European Union that sought to improve the sustainability and climate resilience of their cities and regions.

As of summer 2023, the first cohort of 53 cities from across twenty-one European Union and Horizon 2020 Associated Countries has been selected to embark upon unprecedented climate action, through the NetZeroCities Pilot Cities Program. Working individually or as clusters, these Pilot Cities will implement systemic and locally designed innovative actions that span multiple areas, from buildings to waste, and levers of change, including governance, finance and policy. The 53 cities are part of 25 applications that have been selected from a wide array of 103 applications involving 159 cities in total from 33 countries across the European Union and Horizon 2020 Associated Countries.

Links: NetZeroCities homepage