100 Climate-Neutral European Cities: Philanthropyâs Role in Ensuring a Just and Fair Transition through the EU Cities Mission

Abstract

100 Cities from 27 EU Member States are paving the way to Europe's ambition to be the first climate neutral continent by 2050. Through the co-design and delivery of a Climate City Contract (CCCs), an innovative governance tool endorsed by participating public authorities, enterprises, universities and civil society organisations, cities can formalise their commitment to ambitious targets they set themselves.53 cities have delivered these CCCs and have been awarded the EU Mission Label, however analysis of the 52 CCCs publicly available reveals that a total of 58 foundations are referenced across 22 cities in 11 EU Member States. With Europe being the continent with the largest number of registered public-benefit foundations there is an untapped potential that can be unlocked. This publication analyses the current ways in which foundations are supporting cities' transition to climate neutrality, identifies how foundations can further be involved and outlines key recommendations to the European Commission to shape a tailored pathway to onboard philanthropy and unlock its untapped potential