“How national platforms contribute to sustainable and committed long-term climate action” European Consultation Panel
As part of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU, the CapaCITIES network will gather European, national and local actors in Cork on 13 November for the event “Advancing the EU Cities Mission: Ireland’s Commitment to Urban Climate Neutrality.”
The event looks at how cities, national governments and European networks can work together to speed up the transition to climate neutrality. The session will also offer an expert overview of how the next EU budget can help Mission cities carry out their planned investments and be better prepared for what lies ahead.
From the EU Mission to Irish cities
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Damian Boylan, will open the day. Ioannis Sagias, Deputy Head of Unit for Strategy, Policy Coordination and Urban Transitions at DG Research and Innovation, will then speak on how the Irish Presidency can help advance the climate agenda through the EU Cities Mission.
Barry Quinlan, Assistant Secretary for the Climate Division, and Prof. Brian Ó Gallachóir will present the work of the Irish National Mirror Group in supporting cities on their path to net zero. Next, representatives from different cities, from Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford – will share their achievements and ongoing projects, including support from the Climate City Capital Hub’s Climate & Environment Support Facility (CESF).
In the afternoon, Nikita Shetty of BABLE Smart Cities will present BABLE’s support to the Irish Mission ecosystem, through the development of the Community of Practice for cities, together with city representatives.
CapaCITIES: a European alliance to accelerate the transition
At the heart of the programme is a session on the CapaCITIES Network, moderated by Elena Simion. Partners from national Mission platforms across Europe will share models that are relevant to the Irish context:
- Maria Tengvard, Viable Cities (Sweden)
- Moises Alvaro, citiES2030 (Spain)
- Maria Neneciu, M100 (Romania)
- Taina Tukiainen, Finnish Cities Mission Network (Finland)
- Nicolas Francart, CONCITO (Denmark)
The session will show how national platforms like these help cities build capacity, share knowledge and turn their Climate City Contracts into action.
Support and financing after 2027
A workshop moderated by ICLEI will then ask: “Financing the Urban Transition after 2027: How Can the Next EU Budget Enable Mission Cities to Deliver Their Planned Investments?”
It opens with a message from the Irish Presidency, followed by contributions from:
- Jennifer McIntosh (ICLEI)
- Ioannis Sagias (DG RTD)
- Peter Medway (Cork City)
- Claire Roumet (Energy Cities, on behalf of the NetZeroCities Consortium)
The day ends with conclusions and next steps from Matīss Paegle of the EU Cities Mission Board and Prof. Brian Ó Gallachóir on behalf of the Irish National Mirror Group.
The event is co-organised by CapaCITIES and NetZeroCities. It is an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between national Mission platforms across Europe, support the work of the Irish National Mirror Group, and bring Irish cities closer to each other and to the wider European Cities Mission community.