Cork, Dublin, and Galway are taking centre stage in Europe’s ambitious push for climate neutrality, as part of the European Union’s Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission—one of five flagship EU Missions aimed at tackling some of the continent’s greatest societal and environmental challenges.
The mission’s headline goal is clear: support 100 European cities in becoming climate-neutral and smart by 2030, transforming them into innovation and experimentation hubs that can lead the way for all other cities across the EU to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. These cities are intended to serve as scalable models for urban transformation, integrating clean transport, digital innovation, sustainable energy, and citizen engagement.
Selected from over 300 applicants in April 2022, Cork City and Dublin City were chosen to participate directly in the Mission. Galway City also made significant strides by securing a €1 million grant under the EU’s Pilot Cities programme, positioning it as a testbed for future-forward climate solutions.
The European Commission has prioritized urban centres in this strategy because cities are home to 75% of Europe’s population and account for over 70% of global CO₂ emissions. In Ireland, Cork, Dublin, and Galway collectively represent around 17% of the national population, making their participation critical to Ireland’s overall climate commitments.
According to the European Commission, climate-neutral cities will not only help curb emissions, but also enhance urban living through cleaner air, safer mobility, and less congestion—directly improving the quality of life for citizens (European Commission – EU Missions).
This transformation aligns with broader EU objectives under the European Green Deal, which seeks to make Europe the world’s first climate-neutral continent by mid-century. Success in Cork, Dublin, and Galway could accelerate policy, investment, and community engagement in sustainable urban living across Ireland.
