A greener and more efficient Valencia
One hundred European cities are being tested against climate challenges in mobility, energy, urban planning and innovation. With 360 million euros in community funding on the table and a horizon set for 2030, these cities will gain access to advisory services and pilot projects aimed at advancing climate neutrality. The program emphasizes sharing best practices between cities and encouraging citizen engagement, a point underscored by Vicente Inglada, general secretary of the Valencia Community Consumers’ Union, who notes that without public awareness progress is nearly impossible.
Valencia, Zaragoza, Madrid, Barcelona, Valladolid, Seville and Vitoria-Gasteiz form the core group entering this transition toward full sustainability. They join metropolises like Munich, Rome, Athens, Helsinki, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Nantes, Paris, Riga and Lisbon, which share a pledge to safer, more inclusive and more resilient urban spaces. The mission goes beyond pollution reduction; it also aims to improve public health through innovation and technology that can advance cancer treatment and related healthcare improvements.
At the operational level, the plan connects cities through digitalization, enabling more efficient waste collection and street cleaning, and reducing garbage buildup by timely emptying of containers. The deployment of smart water meters showcases efficiency in managing a precious resource. Last year, Global Omnium and Telefónica Tech signed an agreement to purchase and install 150,000 NB-IoT-enabled SIMs to boost data communication for 450,000 meters, residential and industrial alike, across the facilities. Spain benefits from these efforts through the Valencia-based supplier, serving more than three million customers.
Cities like Barcelona, Valencia and Seville already push for decarbonization-friendly policies, while the 2030 climate mission anticipates a broader proliferation of projects in sustainable mobility and housing rehabilitation. A component of the initiative introduces Low Emission Zones, vehicle restrictions for the most polluting models, and penalties for non-compliance, aligning with regional and national climate laws that span across many municipalities. Policymakers expect that regulation will help reshape urban planning and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with road traffic.
New regulations, supported by national authorities, indicate boards should not take action before 2023 to curb emissions, signaling a measured approach to reducing urban pollution while maintaining a stable transition pace.
A greener and more efficient Valencia
The Valencia climate mission for 2030 seeks to energize homes with innovative programs tailored to income levels, coordinated by public urban development bodies and social services as well as climate and energy foundations. A notable project, Requiem in Power, will repurpose municipal cemetery spaces into a high-capacity urban power plant capable of delivering 2.8 MWatts for municipal self-consumption and offering surplus energy to nearby residents.
Madrid, 120 actions for smarter mobility
Madrid frames its candidacy through aims to cut average public transport travel times by 32.5 percent and reduce traffic congestion by up to 10 percent. The plan targets a 65 percent cut in CO2 emissions (in line with COP25 goals) and a 50 percent reduction in road deaths and serious injuries compared with 1990, outlining 120 actions and 32 measures to attain these targets, even amid debates over the direction of Central Madrid’s commitments.
Seville, trees and trams
Seville plans to expand woodlands to lower urban temperatures and create more comfortable public spaces. The tram network expansion and northern district redevelopment are part of healthier urban design. A Smart Accessibility, Tourism and Events initiative will map a geo-located system that provides real-time accessibility data across the city, helping to remove architectural barriers for residents and visitors alike.
Zaragoza, trees and solar power
In Zaragoza, the European Commission recognizes the city’s efforts toward zero emissions within a decade. Four projects stand out: El Bosque de los Zaragozanos, residential rehabilitation to boost energy efficiency, 100 percent electric transport, and the installation of photovoltaic plants in neighborhoods and industrial areas.
Barcelona, enhanced urban connectivity
Barcelona progresses toward the Sustainable Development Goals. The first annual monitoring report for the 2030 Agenda, covering 2021, shows that more than half of actions are on track. The city has earned recognition among global peers for leadership in transport, energy, infrastructure, management and technology, and particularly in advancing urban connectivity as part of its EU mission.
Vitoria-Gasteiz and citizen feedback
Vitoria-Gasteiz plans to conduct resident surveys to capture local views on the city’s future. Before launching this participatory process, sustainability and energy teams integrated over 40 municipal plans into a unified agenda to guide sectoral strategies toward shared objectives.
Valladolid, a positive energy zone
Valladolid commits to comprehensive sustainable rehabilitation and energy efficiency, aiming to create at least one positive energy zone. These urban areas generate more renewable energy than they consume and share the surplus locally, showcasing practical pathways to net-zero living.
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INTERVIEW. VICE-CHANCELLOR OF VALENCIA POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY
“There is a political will to make cities healthier”
The vice-chancellor for Sustainable Development highlights that cities are evolving through policies that respond to residents’ needs, emphasizing the university’s role in research, policy testing and knowledge transfer as part of a city-university ecosystem. The UPV network connects corporate leaders with public administrations, creating a living laboratory where prototypes are developed and tested to improve residents’ well-being. The university’s aim is to measure carbon footprints, drive abatement strategies and advance sustainable development through a mix of social, environmental and economic pillars.
Universities serve as incubators for policy testing, potentially scalable to larger communities through the living laboratory model. Cities transform when policies reflect public needs, and civic engagement has historically shaped urban spaces. The ongoing push toward healthier, more sustainable cities depends on shared will, political leadership and active citizen participation.
Europe’s decarbonization drive is crucial but must accelerate. Experts agree that more progress is needed, and collaboration remains essential to achieving climate goals. The region’s work lays a foundation, yet continued effort and innovative partnerships are required to address climate risks and sustainable development comprehensively.
Environment department contact details have been removed in compliance with the editorial guidelines.