Visions for climate neutrality and opportunities for co-learning in European cities


KILKIŞ Ş., Ulpiani G., Vetters N.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol.195, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 195
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.rser.2024.114315
  • Journal Name: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, CAB Abstracts, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, Greenfile, INSPEC, Public Affairs Index, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: Barriers, Climate governance, Climate neutral city, Climate policy, Greenhouse gas emissions, Transition
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Cities represent unique spaces for climate mitigation where wide-ranging action to reduce emissions meets ambition and collaboration. This research work distils climate neutrality narratives for 362 cities that expressed interest in the European Mission on 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities and focuses on the 112 cities selected to spearhead the process of reaching climate neutrality by 2030 (representing a mitigation potential of 318.3 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions). The method involves steps that profile the characteristics of these cities, enunciate cross-cutting patterns in cities’ visions by thematic groupings, and compare 14 contextual factors with 77 possible main barriers. There are both similarities and differences among the results as a basis for learning together and certain barriers can be relatively more dominant in some thematic groupings, such as fragmentation of responsibilities. As a synthesis of the main findings, the original analyses are used to derive and prioritise nine high-level recommendations based on the cities' visions, contextual factors, and expected main barriers. Opportunities for mobilising transformative change relate to transforming siloed into integrated approaches, inclusive climate governance and collaborations, innovative financing, welfare and just transition as well as planning, implementation, and policy coherence. The advances provide pioneering steps for stimulating co-learning processes among Mission Cities and beyond to support the transition to climate neutrality and open up opportunities to progress together in climate action while producing impact with global reach.