For cities that give rather than take.
Why are climate-neutral cities important?
Cities are the heart of Europe: 75% of the population lives here, and over two-thirds of CO₂ emissions are generated here. At the same time, they offer enormous potential for sustainable change. Clean air, quieter traffic, a better quality of life, and climate protection go hand in hand.
National implementation of Mission CITIES
Austrias' Action Plan for Mission CITIES
The Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility, and Infrastructure (BMIMI) and the Climate and Energy Fund (KLIEN) have set a priority with their “Climate-Neutral City” mission, which will accelerate the achievement of climate and energy goals through research, technology, and innovation (RTI). Cities play a central role in this. In the future, pioneering cities will use governance measures and exemplary implementations to show how strategies and measures need to be targeted in order to achieve climate neutrality in cities and municipalities. At the same time, learning environments for scaling and transfer will be created to encourage other cities and municipalities to implement solutions.
Through the “Climate-Neutral City” mission, the BMIMI, together with its agencies and partners, will:
Make innovation visible and effective as a key lever for achieving climate neutrality and resilience in cities.
Shape and launch climate neutrality together with cities and other stakeholders.
And thus provide effective impetus for sustainable change in the overall system.
For the national implementation of the EU mission “Climate-Neutral City,” the Austrian Mission Action Group has published an action plan that outlines the following impact pathways for achieving this mission:
- Impact pathway - System innovation
- Impact pathway - System transformation
Austria's objectives for the CITIES mission
Developing innovative solutions for cities and municipalities in Austria to achieve climate neutrality and adaptation to climate change: Supporting “pioneer cities” that serve as trailblazers and learning spaces for climate-neutral projects
Accelerating the transition to climate neutrality in the innovation system and among key players through transformation: the focus here is on knowledge transfer, scaling, and systemic learning in order to mobilize cities and municipalities.
Within the framework of the two impact pathways, the Austrian Mission Action Group has defined the following goals/priorities for Austria:
- Developing innovative solutions for cities and municipalities in Austria to achieve climate neutrality and adaptation to climate change: Supporting “pioneer cities” that serve as trailblazers and learning spaces for climate-neutral projects
- Accelerating the transition to climate neutrality in the innovation system and among key players through transformation: the focus here is on knowledge transfer, scaling, and systemic learning in order to mobilize cities and municipalities.
You can find more information about the CITIES mission on the FFG website: https://www.ffg.at/europa/heu/missions/nationale-umsetzung/stadt
How can citizen science contribute to Mission CITIES?
Climate neutrality can only be achieved through the commitment of everyone—from researchers and politicians to citizens. Citizen scientists can contribute by helping to shape urban design, reporting wildlife sightings [1] [2], or recording the growth of urban trees. Their ideas, data, and actions help make our cities more livable and sustainable.
How can You be part of this mission?
The following projects contribute to the objectives of Mission CITIES:
Did You know?
- Cities account for around 70-75% of CO2 emissions from energy use and consume around 70% of the energy used worldwide (more information here).
- Trees are the air conditioning systems of the city: they can cool temperatures at pedestrian level by up to 12°C (more information here).
- Rainwater harvesting in cities can replace up to 40% of the water needed for gardens, toilets, and cleaning. (More information here)
- With the right circular economy in cities, up to 60% less waste could be generated. (More information here)