Net Zero Cities
Summary
A decade ago, the energy transition seemed relatively straightforward. Replace fossil fuels with renewable energy, improve efficiency and emissions would fall. Cities now know it is far more complicated than that.
Heating remains one of the most difficult pieces of Europe's climate puzzle. Many cities still rely on systems built around fossil fuels, while others face the additional challenge of transforming local economies that have grown around carbon-intensive industries.
Few places illustrate this more clearly than Kozani in northern Greece. For decades, the city's economy was closely linked to lignite. Today, through its NEUTRON project, Kozani is exploring how climate action can support economic renewal, creating new opportunities for residents and businesses as the city moves beyond its dependence on coal.
The city is developing innovative approaches to renewable energy generation, district heating and digital innovation while ensuring that the benefits of the transition remain rooted in the community.
Similar questions are emerging elsewhere. In the Co-Shape pilot project of Aarhus, efforts to decarbonise heating systems are prompting new forms of collaboration between city authorities, utilities and residents.
With the BeyondEE project, Lappeenranta is exploring how greater flexibility within district heating systems can reduce emissions while maintaining reliability, demonstrating how cities can improve existing infrastructure rather than replacing it.
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