One hundred European cities, including seven in Spain, are undergoing a rigorous test against the climate challenge. They evaluate progress across mobility, energy, urban planning, and innovation fronts, backed by 360 million in community funding. The objective is clear: guide cities toward climate neutrality by 2030 through practical recommendations and pilot projects, while building networks for exchanging best practices and engaging residents in the transition. As Vicente Inglada, general secretary of the Consumers Union of the Community of Valencia, notes, citizen awareness is essential to any meaningful outcome.
Valencia, Zaragoza, Madrid, Barcelona, Valladolid, Seville, and Vitoria-Gasteiz are the cities chosen to lead this shift toward comprehensive sustainability. They join metropolises intent on safer, more inclusive, and more resilient futures, such as Munich, Rome, Athens, Helsinki, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Nantes, Paris, Riga, and Lisbon. The mission extends beyond pollution reduction; it aims to improve public health through innovation and technology that can boost cancer treatment and related healthcare advances.
Practically speaking, the plan connects cities through digital tools to achieve smarter, more efficient systems. This includes targeted glass collection and underground waste management, preventing street piles by scheduling pickups when containers are full, and deploying smart water meters to optimize the use of a finite resource. Global Omnium and Telefónica Tech extended a deal last year to supply and install 150,000 NB-IoT-enabled SIM cards, increasing data communication across 450,000 domestic and industrial meters throughout the region. Spain, where Valencia operates, serves more than 3 million customers through these efforts.
Cities such as Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville are already embracing decarbonization measures, while the 2030 climate mission envisions a wider set of programs. These include sustainable mobility initiatives and housing rehabilitation with an emphasis on reducing emissions and enhancing energy efficiency. All selected locales will establish Low Emission Zones to curb the most polluting vehicles, supported by penalties for violations. This framework aligns with Spain’s Climate Change and Energy Transition Act and will affect 148 locations nationwide.
The new regulations, endorsed by Minister Teresa Ribera, indicate that the boards should not act before 2023 in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from road traffic and urban planning, reinforcing a longer-term strategy.
A greener and more efficient Valencia
In Valencia’s case, the 2030 mission seeks to energize homes through innovative approaches that tailor interventions to income levels, leveraging public urban development company Aumsa, social services, and the Climate and Energy Foundation. On the roof of public buildings, the Requiem in Power initiative will convert the municipal cemetery into a major urban power plant with 2.8 MW for municipal self-consumption and the potential to share surplus with neighbors.
Seville, more trees and trams
Seville plans to expand wooded areas to cool the city and create more inviting spaces. Extending the tram network and enhancing the northern part of town are slated as redevelopment projects with healthier landscape parameters. The Smart Accessibility, Tourists and Events program will enable a geo-located, detailed system that provides real-time accessibility data for the entire city and helps remove architectural barriers.
Zaragoza, trees and solar power
In Zaragoza, the European Commission recognizes the council’s work toward zero emissions within a decade. Four major projects are on the table: El Bosque de los Zaragozanos, residential rehabilitation to boost energy efficiency, 100% electric transport, and the rollout of photovoltaic plants in neighborhoods and industrial estates.
Barcelona, more urban connectivity
Barcelona shows steady progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. The first annual monitoring report for the 2030 Agenda, covering 2021, indicates more than half of actions are on track. Barcelona earned a notable ranking among the world’s leading smart cities, highlighting gains in transport, energy, lighting, management, technology, and especially urban connectivity, a target the city hopes to advance within the EU Mission.
Vitoria-Gasteiz asks the neighbors
Vitoria-Gasteiz plans a resident survey to understand how people view the city and what they want it to become. Before this participatory step, the Sustainability, Climate and Energy service coordinated internal work across departments, compiling more than 40 municipal plans to weave all sector strategies into the new agenda.
Valladolid, positive energy zone
Valladolid commits to comprehensive sustainable rehabilitation and energy efficiency with the creation of at least one positive energy zone. These urban areas aim for near-zero net CO2 emissions and seek to generate a local surplus of renewable energy each year, meaning they produce more energy than they consume and share the excess.
Madrid, 120 shares
Madrid structures its candidacy around a pledge to shorten the average public transport journey by 32.5 percent, cut traffic congestion by up to 10 percent, reduce CO2 emissions by 65 percent, and lower road deaths and serious injuries by half compared with 1990 levels. Although a prior mayor attempted to alter Central Madrid’s stance, the plan remains ambitious with 120 actions and 32 measures guiding the effort.