In a significant step forward for urban climate neutrality, the event “Unleashing a Research Agenda for the EU Mission Climate Neutral and Smart Cities” was organised by NetZeroCities in Valencia on June 25th. This pioneering gathering brought together researchers from across Europe and marked a pivotal moment in the collective efforts towards climate-neutral and smart cities. It complemented the 2024 edition of the Cities Mission Conference, enhancing the collaborative spirit essential for sustainable urban transitions.

The primary goals of this research-focused event were multifaceted. It aimed to outline the research aspects of Mission cities’ pilot activities, reconnect research with local practitioners in Mission Cities, and identify the current research challenges and gaps on the journey towards climate neutrality. A significant emphasis was placed on adopting a systemic approach to sustainable transitions, one that could be scaled and shared at the EU level. One of the event's ultimate objectives was to inform a research agenda centered on systems transformation within the context of the EU Cities Mission implementation. This Research Agenda is poised to become a cornerstone for researchers and scholars dedicated to leading the way towards climate-neutral cities and communities. Additionally, the event aimed to initiate the establishment of a network of universities and research institutions eager to integrate critical scientific insights with pioneering policy and practice recommendations.

The event saw the participation of approximately 50 researchers, representing not only the NetZeroCities consortium but also an additional 28 universities and research institutions from various parts of Europe. This diverse assembly underscored the widespread commitment within the academic and research community to address the pressing challenge of climate change and urban sustainability.

The day's proceedings were divided into several insightful sessions. The morning began with research presentations from the Pilot Cities Programme managed by NetZeroCities. Researchers who support cities in experimenting with new decarbonization pathways shared their findings and discussed the research challenges they have encountered. This session also provided a platform for projects outside of NetZeroCities but related to the Mission, fostering a truly cross-disciplinary overview of research on urban climate neutrality.

A key highlight of the event was the active discussions on the “Mission Cities systemic approach: research challenges.” Participants collaborated to develop a set of “Pathways toward a Research Agenda for the Mission Cities,” tackling various research topics. These included governance, citizen engagement, energy futures, behavioral change, funding for climate action, developing transformative capacities, making the sustainability transition desirable, and upscaling sustainability projects.

The event culminated in a presentation of the roundtable results to Rosalinde van der Vlies, Director of the Clean Planet Directorate in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, and Deputy Mission Manager of the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission. This presentation highlighted the significance of the discussions and their potential impact on shaping the future of climate-neutral and smart cities.

This event represents a crucial milestone in the collective journey towards sustainable urban futures. By bringing together a diverse group of researchers and practitioners, it has laid the groundwork for a robust research agenda that will drive the transformation of European cities into climate-neutral and smart cities. The collaborative efforts and shared insights from this event will undoubtedly contribute to the broader mission of achieving climate neutrality and creating resilient, sustainable urban environments across Europe.