Collaborating to accelerate climate-neutral cities

The urban dynamism that makes cities attractive places to live and work, with all its economic and societal benefits, is often still accompanied by significant greenhouse gas emissions. The challenge is therefore clear: how can cities become climate neutral while preserving their economic vitality and social value? It is a major undertaking, but one that is achievable. Moreover, the transition offers opportunities to address other societal challenges at the same time.

Sources of greenhouse gas emissions

To reduce emissions in a structural way, municipalities first need a comprehensive understanding of where emissions originate. How many industrial activities still rely on fossil fuels? How many buildings have poor energy performance ratings? To what extent has transport already become fossil free? These are just some sources of emissions. . Reliable insight into emissions is essential for developing a well-founded climate strategy. Municipalities cannot do this alone. Residents, businesses and other stakeholders must be actively involved in the process to ensure effective and widely supported actions.

Dutch mission cities

Seven Dutch cities have already developed concrete plans to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Groningen, Eindhoven and Helmond. These cities participate in NetZeroCities, a mission-driven EU-funded programme launched in 2021 that brings together 112 cities across Europe.

An ambitious goal

For cities participating in NetZeroCities, developing a Climate City Contract is one of the programme requirements. According to Geiske Bouma, Principal Researcher at TNO Vector, the ambition of the initiative cannot be overstated. ‘Ambitious is definitely the right word,’ she says. ‘Participating cities are expected to do everything within their power to become climate neutral by 2030. That is twenty years earlier than the national target of 2050.’

More time needed, but significant progress achieved

The scale of the challenge is reflected in current progress. With only a few years remaining, it has become clear that the 2030 objective is not always achievable in every area. Dutch mission cities have indicated that additional time is needed for some challenges.

Grid congestion is currently the most significant bottleneck in the Netherlands. Because this is a national issue that cities themselves have limited influence over, the NetZeroCities assessment panel approved the collective request for additional time.

Utrecht recently submitted its Climate City Contract, while the other Dutch mission cities have already received the official Mission Label. According to Geiske Bouma, this recognition is well deserved. ‘Participation in the EU programme has clearly accelerated progress. In fact, the seven Dutch mission cities are genuine frontrunners within the Netherlands.’

Sharing knowledge and practical solutions

Each city has developed its own areas of expertise, explains David Dooghe, Senior Researcher at TNO Vector. ‘The Eindhoven metropolitan region, which includes Helmond, has become a strong advocate of biobased construction, an approach that many other cities find highly relevant. Groningen is developing advanced methods for monitoring energy use and preventing grid congestion. The Hague has established climate agreements with residents, entrepreneurs, large companies and societal organisations. These are just a few examples.’

The seven mission cities also actively collaborate with one another. For example, they are working together on a NetZeroCities pilot focused on a district investment platform.

Paving the way

Experimenting, sharing knowledge and collective learning are key drivers of progress. Even initiatives that do not proceed as planned provide valuable lessons. According to David Dooghe, many of the challenges currently faced by Dutch mission cities will eventually affect other municipalities as well. The mission cities demonstrate the importance of working together to address systemic barriers. Grid congestion provides a clear example. By presenting a united position to the Dutch government, the European Commission and the reviewers of the Climate City Contracts, they have strengthened their ability to address shared challenges.

Sharing experiences

A key question is whether Dutch cities share enough similarities to learn effectively from one another's experiences. Geiske Bouma believes they do. ‘At TNO Vector, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the Climate City Contracts developed by the Dutch mission cities. The results show that their approaches can make a substantial contribution to climate goals in many other municipalities as well. It therefore makes sense to share these insights with interested cities. That is exactly why TNO Vector, together with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG), is establishing a Community of Practice.’