Local governments are at the forefront of solving today's most pressing urban challenges, including environmental degradation, migration, housing crises and social inequalities. Among them, climate change has become a major issue for municipalities across Europe, as confirmed by the Eurocities Pulse survey. Climate action was by far the highest priority of European mayors in 2023. Meanwhile, more than 5,000 European cities have committed to the Covenant of Mayors initiative and adopted action plans for sustainable energy. The EU's mission for climate-neutral and smart cities has shown enthusiasm and strong political commitment, with more than 100 cities across Europe committing to the ambitious goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2030.