Climate change is recognised as a global challenge and is being addressed by the EU as a top priority with high urgency. Following recommendations from the IPCC, the EU Member States decided with the European Green Deal to reduce GHG emissions by 55% by 2030 (from 1990 levels) and become climate neutral by 2050.

The target of climate neutrality by 2050 is a global and broad target, which cannot be reached without the local and regional levels’ engagement. It is therefore essential for local and regional authorities to understand how their spatial planning and strategies could support a green transition towards climate neutrality, preferably using a systemic approach ensuring that policies focus on an entire system rather than on individual components. By using a systemic approach, other objectives, such as circular economy, water management, energy efficiency and no-net land take, can be taken up as well. Trade-offs between various objectives can be avoided and synergies can be developed.

Climate neutrality is about every aspect of our lives and challenges related to social issues need to be considered. Since the wellbeing and quality of life of all citizens is affected, there is a need to involve the society in the transition process and get people engaged to ensure a long-term behavioural change in the way we live, move, consume and play. Policy and territorial actions can influence such changes directly and it is important to investigate how participation can be encouraged in relation with energy consumption and production, how behavioural patterns can be changed and how spatial planning can support such change. Involvement of the private sector is equally important.

The concept of climate neutrality aims at reaching zero net emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) by reducing them to the point where they are equal or lower than emissions that are removed through absorption. Mitigation measures are crucial on the way to climate neutrality as they contribute to preventing or reducing GHG emissions into the atmosphere. The distinct regional features influence the regional development paths towards climate neutrality. Therefore, regions need guidance on how they build their development paths towards climate neutrality using their distinct regional features and a systemic approach.

Policy questions

1. What is the current status of regional climate neutrality and what are the past trends? What is the territorial level to best measure this and with what indicators and available data?
2. How can regions steer the green transition towards climate neutrality by 2050 and use a systemic approach? In particular:

• How can existing territorial evidence, current policy research, initiatives and peer networks for climate-neutral regions in Europe be used to support the implementation of climate-neutral territories?
  • How can the territorial context best be addressed?
  • How can the local level be involved and what type of multi-level governance is needed?
  • How can the social aspects ensure the green transition is also a just transition and no one is left behind?
  • How can tensions between territories be managed and synergies be found?
  • How can the use of spatial planning measures (e.g. more compact built-up environment, closer attention to walkability/bike-ability and public transport) and nature-based solutions be increased to reduce energy consumption in different sectors?
  • How can tax policies be managed?
  • How can funding and private investments be arranged?
  • How can we get every region/city on board with the green transition?

3. How can the capacities, skills and agency of territorial development policymakers be strengthened and mobilised to transcend territorial conflicts and to incorporate a systemic multi-level governance approach towards climate neutrality in their programming and policy-making processes through locally adapted interventions?

The main outputs of the service shall be:

• A comprehensive, systematic mapping analysis of existing policies, research networks and peer-network initiatives related to using a systemic approach by regional and local authorities for supporting the green transition towards climate neutrality by 2050 within territorial development;
• Updated territorial indicators for the pan-European analysis of the current state and trends of climate neutrality, both for emitting less and absorbing more, at the regional level; and,
• Knowledge of how policymakers can incorporate a systemic approach towards climate neutrality in their programming and policy making processes.

More information

Contractor: 
Cambridge Econometrics (BE)

Joint Partners: 
Spatial Foresight (LU), University of Graz (AT), Demos Helsinki (FI), Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) (DE), Prognos (DE) 

Contact: 
Michaela Gensheimer (Research and Policy Manager) 
Laura Dimitriu ( Financial and Budget Manager)