In a significant stride towards climate neutrality, four cities part of the Urban Transitions Mission (UTM) cohort, Lappeenranta, Turku (Sweden), Lisbon and Guimaraes (Portugal) have been honored with the prestigious EU Mission Label. Awarded under the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, this recognition recognizes the cities’ commitment to achieving climate-neutrality by 2030, marking a pivotal moment in their net-zero journey.
Joining the ranks of distinguished cities across Europe, Lappeenranta, Turku, Lisbon, and Guimaraes stand out for their robust “Climate City Contracts”, meticulously crafted in collaboration with local stakeholders, including citizens and the private sector. These contracts encapsulate a comprehensive vision for climate neutrality, coupled with strategic action plans and investment strategies, underscoring the cities’ proactive approach towards sustainable urban development.
The EU Mission Label, granted to a total of 23 cities, signifies their dedication to realizing ambitious climate goals and sets the stage for accessing crucial public and private funding to accelerate their transition. Looking ahead, the European Commission remains committed to supporting the awarded cities in improving their ambitious plans by enhancing investment strategies and catalyzing the implementation of transformative projects, with the assistance of the European Investment Bank (EIB).
With the Mission Label serving as a testament to their dedication, Lappeenranta, Turku, Lisbon, and Guimaraes are poised to lead the charge towards climate neutrality. As integral components of the Urban Transitions Mission, these cities epitomize the spirit of innovation and collaboration, driving impactful change at the local level while contributing to broader European sustainability goals.
With the EU Mission Label serving as a testament to their dedication, Lappeenranta, Turku, Lisbon, and Guimaraes are following the steps of the UTM cities awarded in 2023 –Mannheim (Germany), Valencia, Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain), Klagenfurt (Austria) and Cluj-Napoca (Romania)– in the testing of innovative cross-sectoral approaches for citizen engagement, stakeholder management and internal governance to accelerate their path to climate neutrality.
