NetZeroCities and DUT sign Memorandum of Understanding

NetZeroCities and DUT have formalised their cooperation within the framework of a MoU. NetZeroCities is a consortium consisting of partners from 27 European countries that manages the EU Cities Mission “100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030,” which supports 112 European cities in drastically reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. DUT is a public-public partnership that funds transformative research and innovation to drive urban transitions in Europe and beyond.

Building on strong foundations

Both actors are part of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme and have joint objectives, as Küttel points out: “It is a very strategic decision to work together. We have the same vision of climate-neutral, resilient, and sustainable cities and can support each other along the way. This alliance gives us opportunities to leverage the outputs of DUT research and innovation projects.”

For Küttel, the MoU formalises an already existing strong cooperation: “Practically, we have been working together with NetZeroCities for a while. Currently, more than 40 percent of the Mission cities are part of DUT research and innovation projects. Furthermore, DUT involves the Climate-Neutral City Advisors in shaping thematic priorities. So, we already include challenges that Cities Mission cities are facing within our calls.” Looking ahead, Küttel hopes to make the cooperation even more targeted: 

“We are trying to understand how solutions developed in DUT projects can support the implementation of the Climate City Contracts that the 112 Cities Mission cities have.”

Aligning European efforts

Among other things, the agreement between NetZeroCities and DUT outlines the exchange of knowledge and innovative solutions towards climate neutrality at the city level while avoiding duplication between different activities of DUT and NetZeroCities. The planned efforts include, but are not limited to, inviting each other to events, leveraging joint networks, participating in platforms such as the DUT City Panel and the NetZeroCities Community of Practice, and sharing solutions from the DUT Innovation Portfolio and the Pilot Cities Programme with practitioners and policymakers.

While the MoU strengthens cooperation, it is also a communication exercise, as Küttel points out: “The MoU is a statement that reconfirms our collaboration and makes it public. Sometimes, when I engage with staff of cities who are involved in DUT, the EU Cities Mission, or say the Urban Transitions Mission, they will not necessarily be aware of these different engagements within their administration, even though these initiatives are geared in the same direction. So, I think we must be very vocal around all ongoing efforts to break down silos and increase collaboration.”

Küttel sees a lot of opportunities lying ahead: “We have a very ambitious vision. We cannot reach it without strong alliances. With current discussions on Framework Programme 10, we need to understand what the future holds for us. Currently, NetZeroCities is planned to run until 2030 and DUT until 2033. So, we have at least a good five years to demonstrate why the topic of urban development should remain one of the main priorities on a European scale. As political priorities are shifting in Europe, it is important that we unite our voices and move forward stronger.”