Forty cities from across Europe were announced as NetZeroCities’ first cohort of Twin Cities, joining the growing network of cities engaging with the EU’s Cities Mission to make more than 100 cities climate neutral by 2030. 

The successful applicant cities, which include seven from Associated Countries of the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, have been matched with a Pilot City or cluster of cities already innovating and piloting decarbonisation activities as part of the Cities Mission. 

The NetZeroCities Twinning Programme ensures that progress on climate has a ripple effect, with success in one city paving the way for others to follow. Twin Cities have been paired with Pilot Cities based on common challenges, goals in terms of emissions reductions, and other shared traits – putting co-creation and exchange at the centre of a growing group of cities motivated to take practical action to address the climate crisis.   

The Twinning Programme is a part of the Cities Mission to help cities collaborate and share knowledge and capacity on climate action through NetZeroCities, and aims to accelerate their progress to climate neutrality. 

Over 20 months, from September 2023, the new Twin Cities have been capitalising on the achievements and experiences of Pilot Cities by learning and reproducing good practices. They also have access to support from world-class practitioners and experts to help them achieve their goals. 

Thomas Osdoba, Programme Director at NetZeroCities, said:

“The twinning process is another new, bold step towards climate neutrality for cities across Europe and beyond, recognising the urgent need for better climate policies and acting on it. By partnering European cities as they work on innovative new approaches to respond to the climate emergency, they can learn from each other and adapt their learning to their local needs. 

We look forward to the successes of these new partnerships between cities and welcoming more cities to engage with NetZeroCities in the near future.” 

Cities have several opportunities to get involved in the learning journey proposed by NetZeroCities, whether as a Mission City, Pilot City’, or Twin City, depending on their commitments and progress to climate neutrality.

The next call for applications to become a Twin City Cohort 2 will take place in spring 2024. In the meantime, the 40 Twin Cities are expanding the impact of climate neutrality-oriented actions taking place not only across the Cities Mission, but in an expanding network of cities engaging with the goal of climate neutrality by 2030. 

Find out more about NetZeroCities and the Twinning Programme