Aachen receives the official EU mission seal for its Climate City Agreement
Another milestone on the road to climate-neutral Aachen 2030: The EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Iliana Ivanova, presented EU mission seals to 20 European cities - including Aachen - for their Climate City Contracts at a ceremony in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Aachen's Lord Mayor Sibylle Keupen traveled to Strasbourg to receive the seal in person. This brings the total number of cities with a seal to 53 across Europe.
Ivanova praised the cities that received the seal today: "Congratulations to the 20 cities that have committed to becoming climate neutral. You are leading by example when it comes to making our cities more liveable and sustainable, while making Europe more competitive in the global cleantech race. The Commission will continue to support you in turning your ambitious plans into concrete projects."
The handover is not just a symbolic act: the seal gives cities access to the "Climate City Capital Hub", an international financing resource that was set up in June 2024. Its particular focus is on engagement with private capital. The Capital Hub offers a range of tools to help cities navigate the complex landscape of funding and financing opportunities for sustainable urban development. For Aachen's Lord Mayor Keupen, this is an immensely important step: "Without this very specific support and access to funding, a city like Aachen would not be able to shoulder the measures envisaged in the Climate City Agreement on its own. And of course, cooperation, learning from each other and sharing ideas with the other mission cities are of crucial importance: the path to climate neutrality can only succeed together."
In mid-March of this year, the city of Aachen submitted the Climate City Contract to the European Union in order to take part in the "100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030" mission. The high number of supporters of the treaty shows The goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2030 is firmly anchored in urban society. Business, universities, administration and, last but not least, citizens are working intensively on the question of how and whereCO2 emissions can be reduced locally - from RWTH Aachen University to medium-sized carpentry businesses to civic initiatives and schools. The Climate City Contract, the first step for the selected cities, represents a strategic plan for climate neutrality that also includes a plan of measures and financing.
Further information
aachenklima.de with comprehensive information on measures that the city of Aachen is already taking to make Aachen climate-neutral.
Official EU press release
More than just a symbolic step: EU Commissioner Iliana Ivanova (back row, center) awarded the official EU mission seals to 20 cities in the Strasbourg Parliament - including Aachen.
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