Title
Session description
The goal of this session was to discover how European cities are driving a just, systemic transition to climate neutrality, resilience, and sustainability through governance, citizen engagement, and innovation. This session explored practical solutions to urban climate challenges, showcasing transformative actions that align environmental goals with social and economic change.
The session brought together key stakeholders from the European Environment Agency, the European Commission, and representatives from various EU cities and regions. It aimed to explore the urgent need for cities to combat climate change, with a focus on its impacts, barriers, strategies, and practical solutions. At the same time, these transitions must be just and inclusive, ensuring no one is left behind. The session featured expert presentations, city testimonies, and interactive engagement through Slido polls.
Key insights
Participants identified major climate risks in their cities, notably heatwaves, floods, and water scarcity. Key barriers included limited funding, administrative capacity, and fragmented governance.
Terry Karampini (EEA) presented the European Climate Risk Report, highlighting region-specific vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies. Philippe Froissard (DG RTD) introduced the Cities Mission and the associated Climate City Contracts as tools to accelerate and systematise the transition, emphasising the importance of implementation and investment alignment. Bruno Mola (DG CLIMA) stressed the need to move from sector-based to portfolio-based financing and to better coordinate action across multiple EU climate initiatives such as the Mission Adaptation, Covenant of Mayors, and Green City Accord.
Cities such as Valencia, Warsaw, Bologna, and Kildare County shared their local challenges and dynamic experiences. Their responses included social innovation, citizen engagement, nature-based solutions, and technological innovation. These case studies underscored the importance of cross-departmental collaboration, inclusive approaches targeting vulnerable populations, and building both financial and human capacity to meet climate goals.
The Driving Urban Transitions partnership was presented as a co-financed EU effort to support systemic solutions across and with European cities.
Key take aways
Despite risks of short-termism in local political leadership, European cities are demonstrating growing commitment through local climate action plans and participation in EU Missions and initiatives. Effective systemic change requires linking policy support with aligned funding and creating integrated, user-friendly platforms that make information and programmes accessible.
Engagement of local businesses and citizens —particularly vulnerable and affected groups—is essential, as demonstrated by projects in Valencia and Kildare, not least to overcome disinformation and foster behavioural change. Warsaw highlighted the importance of collaborative planning and investment in infrastructure.
A key message was the urgency of strengthening local administrative capacity—both in terms of having the competence to act and the funding, staffing, knowledge and skills required to design and implement long-term climate strategies. Multi-level governance and EU-level coherence were emphasised, along with calls for simpler, more accessible funding pathways and improved coordination to align local and EU priorities. This alignment is critical to scaling successful pilot projects into lasting, citywide transformations.
Conclusion
Looking ahead, cities are encouraged to explore upcoming EU support tools and funding opportunities. These include the joint calls from the EU Cities Mission and the Climate Adaptation Mission, as well as the upcoming Driving Urban Transitions call in September 2025.
Potential follow-up actions for cities include consulting the EEA’s European Climate Risk Assessment, leveraging the Mission Knowledge Hub, and responding to Valencia’s invitation to sign the Valencia Green Charter.
With many solutions already available, the focus must shift to implementation: bridging capacity gaps, mobilising private finance, and empowering communities. EU institutions are expected to ensure coherent, multi-level frameworks and streamlined funding processes to support city-led efforts for climate neutrality and resilience.
Inputs Related to the EU Agenda for Cities
The session reaffirmed the strategic relevance of the EU Cities Mission and Mission Adaptation, highlighting the need for systemic transformation, capacity-building, and local empowerment (as opposed to fragmented sector-based approaches). At the same time, participants called to open up the mission-based approach to more cities. Stakeholders also called on the EU to facilitate practical implementation through better governance integration, dedicated funding mechanisms, and accessible knowledge-sharing platforms.
Insights emphasised the importance of aligning EU policy frameworks with city-level needs, in line with the ambitions of the European Green Deal and the EU Adaptation Strategy. The call for inclusive sustainable urban development strongly supports the EU’s vision of climate-resilient and socially just cities.
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