The EU Missions Climate Neutral and Smart Cities and Climate Adaptation hosted the first joint cross-mission workshop on 6 September 2023, focused on exploring climate change in urban environments.

The workshop, attended by representatives of 41 cities that are signatories to both EU missions, enabled the exchange of ideas, experiences and good practices for addressing the impacts of climate change in urban environments among the participating cities.

The aim of the event was:

• Help cities identify and exploit co-benefits between climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.

• Increase city resilience by sharing best practices, innovative solutions and resources to make cities better prepared for and responsive to climate impacts when planning and implementing climate action strategies.

• Support the integration of digital solutions and tools into the planning and implementation of climate change adaptation and mitigation.

The online workshop started with a keynote address by the Adaptation Mission Manager Elina Bardramová (Director of DG CLIMA) and the Cities Mission Manager Patrick Child (Deputy Director-General of DG Environment). Several expert speakers then presented on various topics, including a general introduction to the Mitigation-Adaptation Nexus, the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE), Urban Flooding and Using Smart Synergies to Support Urban Planning.

Participants then divided into groups based on the topics explored in the opening presentations, where they continued to discuss how the two missions can work together to support an integrated approach to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Creating synergies between these two EU missions is vital for a holistic approach to addressing climate change in urban environments, and there is a solid foundation for supporting cross-sectoral and joint actions on climate change.

You can watch the workshop via recording on the MIP4Adapt YouTube channel.