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Research and innovation
  • News article
  • 29 September 2022
  • Brussels
  • Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
  • 2 min read

Driving the global green transition: Call now open to select the first city cohort under the Urban Transitions Mission of Mission Innovation

The Urban Transitions Mission was launched at COP26 under the framework of Mission Innovation (MI) as a joint effort by the European Commission (DG Research & Innovation), the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM) and the Joint Partnership Initiative (JPI) Urban Europe. By 2030, the Mission aims to mobilise 300 cities worldwide to advance their climate and energy action planning and implement systemic and innovative approaches for net-zero, resilient and people-centred transitions.

The Urban Transitions Mission will work initially with a cohort of 50 pilot cities to demonstrate integrated pathways towards holistic, people-centred urban transitions built around clean energy and innovative net-zero carbon solutions. By 2030, these pathways will be validated and further refined by a wider cohort of 250 cities to be selected in 2024. The resulting framework will be disseminated to 12,500+ GCoM Signatories to accelerate the net-zero urban transition globally.

The call for the first city cohort of the Urban Transitions Mission was announced at the Global Clean Energy Action Forum in Pittsburgh on 21-23 September. Cities from an EU countries or MI member or observer country, with 50,000+ inhabitants and a comprehensive climate and energy plan, are eligible to apply. To express their interest to join, cities need to fill in a brief questionnaire by by 29 October 2022 (*). Eligibility for application is also extended: the call is now open to the participation of cities worldwide (*). The assessment criteria, the value proposition to cities and their expected commitment are detailed in the City Info Pack and FAQ document.

About the Urban Transitions Mission of Mission Innovation

Mission Innovation (MI) is a global clean energy initiative of 22 countries and the European Commission (on behalf of the European Union). Its Missions bring together delivery-focused alliances between countries, corporations, investors and research institutes that set ambitious goals and provide momentum to make sure more net-zero innovation happens, more rapidly.

The MI Urban Transitions Mission builds on the European Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities. As such, it will receive support from a Global Knowledge Exchange Centre on cities and climate, to be launched in early 2023 with EUR 2 million funding under Horizon Europe. Anchored in the EU Cities Mission, the centre will facilitate two-way learning and exchanges between European and international climate initiatives and stakeholders, including via an Annual Innovation Summit.

The Urban Transitions Mission also relies on expertise and support from its Global Innovation Alliance. In addition to the co-leads (the EC, GCoM and JPI Urban Europe), the growing alliance includes Austria, India, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden and the MI Innovation Community on Affordable Heating and Cooling of Buildings as core members. The UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub, IEA, IRENA, EIT Climate-KIC, ENOLL and Student Energy participate in a supporting role.

More information

City Info Pack and FAQs

Application Questionnaire

Urban Transition Mission Action Plan

(*) Update:

The deadline for application has been extended  from 22 October to 29 October 2022. 
Eligibility for application is also extended: the call is now open to the participation of cities worldwide.

Details

Publication date
29 September 2022
Author
Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
Location
Brussels