Glasgow chosen as part of European ‘carbon neutrality’ scheme

GLASGOW has been named among several dozen European cities chosen to receive support from the European Commission, to assist it to become ‘carbon neutral’ by 2030.

Some 100 cities from the European Union member countries, plus an additional 27 from so-called ‘associated countries’ (the category including Glasgow), will together receive funding under a programme described as the ‘EU Mission for climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030’ (here).

Funding is to come from an initiative called Horizon Europe (here), which the Commission describes as “the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation, with a budget of €95.5 billion”.

Adds the Commission, Horizon Europe “tackles climate change, helps to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth”.

Announcing the scheme, the Commission says (here): “The Cities Mission will receive €360 million of Horizon Europe funding covering the period 2022-23, to start the innovation paths towards climate neutrality by 2030. The research and innovation actions will address clean mobility, energy efficiency and green urban planning, and offer the possibility to build joint initiatives and ramp up collaborations in synergies with other EU programmes.

“Benefits for cities include tailor-made advice and assistance from a dedicated Mission platform run by NetZeroCities, additional funding and financing opportunities and the possibility to join large innovation actions and pilot projects. The Mission also provides networking opportunities, exchange of best practices between cities and support to engage citizens in the Mission.”

Glasgow and Bristol are the only UK cities named as part of the Mission.

Picture credit: Place Design Scotland