In the face of unprecedented challenges posed by climate change, the European Union has embarked on an ambitious journey towards a sustainable and resilient future. The EU Missions on Adaptation to Climate Change and on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities under Horizon Europe, the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation, represent significant pillars in this transformative endeavour. This brochure showcases 14 European-funded Mission projects that show the collaborative spirit, innovation and commitment required to address the pressing issues of climate change.

Climate Change and Environment

© European Union, 2024

The EU Mission on Adaptation recognises the urgency to enhance Europe’s resilience to the impacts of climate change. With a focus on understanding, preventing and mitigating these impacts, the Mission aims to harness the power of research and innovation. These projects featured here delve into diverse aspects of adaptation, ranging from using the most advanced IT solutions to assess and monitor climate risks and impacts to leveraging nature as an ally in building green and sustainable solutions to mitigate climate impacts, showcasing the breadth and depth of our collective response.

Equally pivotal is the EU Mission on Climate Neutral and Smart Cities, which envisions a future where urban environments are at the forefront of sustainability and innovation. The projects highlighted in this brochure are pioneering solutions that integrate cutting-edge technologies, citizen engagement and sustainable practices to foster climate-neutral and smart cities. From making sustainable and smart mobility a reality for all, to creating and accelerating Positive Clean Energy Districts, these initiatives illuminate the path towards a more sustainable and liveable urban future.

Research and innovation stand as the bedrock of these endeavours. The commitment to identifying forward-thinking solutions through collaborative research is a testament to Europe’s dedication to becoming a global leader in sustainable development. The projects presented here not only contribute to scientific knowledge but also provide tangible, actionable solutions that can be implemented across the continent, in the regions and at local level.

The importance of research and innovation cannot be overstated in the context of climate change. They are the catalysts that propel us towards transformative change, offering the promise of a future where our regions and cities are smart and adaptive, and harmoniously coexist with the environment.

The European Union’s commitment to these Missions reflects the understanding that addressing climate change requires a holistic and interdisciplinary approach. It is not just about mitigating the impacts but also about being prepared for the changes that are already under way.

Together, let us embark on this journey towards a climate-neutral and resilient future, driven by the power of research, innovation and a shared commitment to creating a better world for generations to come.

Planning for the future

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Better understanding climate risk at the regional level

The EU-funded CLIMAAX project emphasises how supporting cities and regions in carrying out accurate risk assessments is critical to building up Europe’s resilience to climate change.

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Green urban innovation hubs as change catalysts

By creating urban innovation hubs on mobility and waste – and ensuring that best practices can be shared between cities – the EU-funded CLIMABOROUGH project aims to be a catalyst for positive change.

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Digital Twins enable smarter decision making

By running multiple simulation models through digital replicas of their cities, urban planners can assess the potential impact of decisions on issues such as mobility, pollution, energy and the built environment.

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Driving the sociotechnical transitions needed for net zero

The EU-funded UP2030 project aims to directly involve citizens in plans to decarbonise and transform Europe’s cities, developing a method to upskill, upgrade and uptake the capacities of the entire city.

Supporting resilient communities

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Tapping satellite data to quantify climate change in urban areas

A new artificial intelligence-based platform built by the EU-funded HARMONIA project will scour urban areas for risk patterns associated with the negative health impacts of climate change, helping to make cities healthier, safer places.

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Co-developing climate resilient pathways across Europe

The impacts of climate change are growing, and adaptation efforts have failed to keep pace with these increasing risks. The EU-funded Pathways2Resilience project is putting communities at the centre of rapid and far-reaching climate security.

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Co-creating a climate resilient future for Europe’s cities

The EU-funded REACHOUT project is helping local authorities, research organisations, city networks and policymakers deliver new solutions to make Europe’s cities more climate-resilient.

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Accelerating the delivery of climate adaptation solutions

Each city faces its own unique climate risks. By pairing regions across Europe, the EU-funded RESIST project aims to share practices and solutions for building resilience against climate change impacts.

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Future-proofing Europe’s coastal cities against climate change

With a focus on co-creation, the EU-funded SCORE project helps coastal cities become more resilient to climate change, safeguarding their culture, heritage and economy for future generations

Redesigning cities for climate change

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Accelerating the delivery of Positive Clean Energy Districts

The EU-funded ASCEND project aims to build urban districts that produce more energy than they consume, to mitigate the effects of climate change and to offer citizens inclusive, resilient and smart communities.

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Nine trailblazing European cities building a path towards net zero

Part of the EU-funded NetZeroCities programme, Let’sGOv is embarking on an ambitious journey across nine Italian cities, aiming to enhance governance and facilitate the transition towards sustainability.

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All aboard the path to climate-neutral cities

Daily mobility has a significant impact on the environment. The EU funded REALLOCATE project is transforming city streets into inclusive spaces where communities live and thrive.

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Integrating natural elements into cities for climate resilience

The EU-funded UNaLab project spearheaded a transformative approach to enhance the climate security of cities, defining new standards for urban resilience strategies across Europe and beyond.

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Unleashing the potential of sustainable public transport in Europe

The EU-funded UPPER project has embarked on an ambitious journey to reshape public transport in Europe, using innovative ‘push-and-pull’ measures to make sustainable mobility the preferred choice.