Mission Cities building a movement to power a climate neutral Europe by 2030

In cities across Europe, the race to climate neutrality is no longer a distant ambition, it’s a movement gaining unstoppable momentum. From 6 to 8 May, over 900 participants from cities, EU institutions, businesses and civil society gathered at the EU Cities Mission Conference in Vilnius to reflect on local climate progress and increase ambition for a climate neutral Europe.  

“We’re not here just to admire each other’s projects, we’re here to build a movement,” said Thomas Osdoba, Director of NetZeroCities, capturing the spirit of the event. “Cities are stepping up to lead the transition and it’s time for national and European institutions to match that courage with the scale of support needed.” That sentiment echoed throughout the conference, where calls for bold political leadership and long-term investment in city-driven innovation took centre stage. 

Offering a local perspective, Mayor Valdas Benkunskas of Vilnius delivered a frank reflection: “Our slogan, ‘the greenest city in the making’, is not just a promise, but an honest acknowledgement that the journey is ongoing. We are not perfect, but we are determined.” His words resonated strongly among the diverse group of mayors, mission coordinators and stakeholders, reinforcing a collective commitment to climate action that is as pragmatic as it is ambitious. 

A milestone for climate action: 39 Cities earn the Mission Label 
One of the conference’s key moments was the Mission Label Ceremony, where 39 cities were awarded the prestigious EU Mission Label, a recognition of their ambitious, well-developed Climate City Contracts and commitment to climate neutrality by 2030. This brings the total to 92 Mission Cities that have reached this important milestone. 

The Label isn’t just a badge of honour, it’s a gateway. It helps cities unlock funding and investment opportunities, giving them access to the Climate City Capital Hub, tailored advisory services and a €2 billion lending facility from the European Investment Bank. The label signals to investors and national governments that these cities are prepared and ready to lead Europe’s climate transition.

“You are laying the foundations of Europe’s competitive, climate neutral future. Your work inspires, drives market change and puts people and communities at the heart of the transition.”  said Teresa Ribera, European Commission Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition.

Cities like Athens, Paris, Vilnius, Oslo, Dublin, Krakow and Glasgow were among those recognised in this round—spanning 19 countries and showing the depth of commitment across Europe and beyond. 

Highlights from the conference 
The conference showcased the growing momentum among European cities leading the charge toward climate neutrality. Political leaders and city officials repeatedly emphasised the critical role of urban areas in meeting the EU’s climate goals, calling for stronger support in the form of funding, policy alignment and cross-sector collaboration. One of the major outcomes was the endorsement of the European Declaration on “scaling as the new normal” by 60 cities, signalling a shared commitment to go beyond pilot projects and implement systemic, city-wide solutions. Sessions also highlighted local success stories, such as Kosice’s collaborative climate planning and Espoo’s innovative “climate community” model that unites diverse stakeholders around a common goal.

Finance was another key theme, with experts from the European Investment Bank and NetZeroCities sharing guidance on how cities can design credible, investment-ready climate projects. Equity and citizen participation were woven throughout discussions, culminating in the launch of the Oslo Declaration on green procurement, a multi-city initiative aimed at using public purchasing as a tool for climate action. The spirit of sustainability even extended to how participants travelled to Vilnius—some choosing trains, ferries, or bikes over planes, including one remarkable attendee who cycled all the way from Munich.

With their eyes set on 2030, Europe’s Mission Cities are proving that leadership, partnership and persistence can turn climate ambition into action and into a better urban future for all

Want to see the momentum in action? 

Watch highlights from the Cities Mission Conference 2025 and hear directly from the leaders driving Europe’s climate-neutral future. Watch the video and get inspired by the bold ideas, powerful partnerships and real progress happening in cities across Europe.