Page 34 - Guidelines for cities to achieve carbon Net Zero through digital transformation

boundary emissions from transportation of citizens living within the geographic boundary,
out-of-boundary emissions from consumption made within the geographic boundary (e.g.,
food, clothes, furniture, materials) and other indirect emissions.

Three phases can be identified:

1. An early delivery phase in 2020-2022 that will set the foundations of the Mission and of its
facilities to help the participating cities

2. The main phase in 2022-2030, during which the main body of cities will implement their strategy
towards transformation and climate neutrality
3. The period after 2030 and up to 2050, when it is hoped that the Mission will have created the
momentum for a climate-neutral Europe.

Reaching 100 climate-neutral cities by 2030 is the objective identified by the Mission Board for
Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities. Cities are the place where decarbonization strategies for energy,
transport, buildings, and even industry and agriculture, coexist and intersect. The climate emergency
must be tackled within cities and by engaging citizens. Through a multilevel and co-creative process
formalized in a Climate City Contract, adjusted to the realities of each city, the Mission is fully
anchored on the European Green Deal Strategy to make Europe climate neutral by 2050. 2

The initiative of “100 climate-neutral cities by 2030 – by and for the citizens” gives a new role to
the citizens of the cities that will participate in this Mission, as their involvement is pivotal for the
Mission’s success. In the consultations with the Board, citizens have given priority to mobility,
energy, urban infrastructures/buildings, circular economy, and behavioural change.

2 https:// ec .europa .eu/ info/ publications/ 100 -climate -neutral -cities -2030 -and -citizens _en

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