Program
Levers for change
On 28th and 29th of March, the vibrant city of Cluj-Napoca hosted a new gathering as part of the NetZeroCities’ Pilot Cities project, under the auspices of CIIC – Civic Imagination and Innovation Center.
The Twinning Learning Programme gathered local Cluj-Napoca stakeholders alongside experts from Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni, its twin city, in a collaborative effort to explore the pathways to accelerating urban climate neutrality. We also had the privilege of welcoming Elena Ricci, a key representative from the EIT KIC – Climate. The essence of this event was rooted in sharing knowledge, fostering international partnerships and exploring sustainable solutions to urban challenges.
The gathering was opened with an inspiring presentation by Mr. Ovidiu Cîmpean, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Investments and European Projects and the coordinator of CIIC. Setting a high bar for the day, he laid out the vision and the importance of the EU 100 Mission, emphasizing the significance of international collaboration and innovation in tackling the pressing challenges of urban sustainability and climate change.
The day unfolded with a series of engaging presentations from the Consortium Partners, each shedding light on the work done so far within the “Blueprint for Net-Zero apartment block neighborhoods” pilot activities.
The Technical University of Cluj Napoca unveiled their pioneering work on transforming densely populated apartment neighborhoods into Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB) compliant areas. They also introduced Renergia — an app designed to revolutionize energy consumption and living spaces.
Building on this momentum, Babeș-Bolyai University discussed their analysis on the behavioral, perception and modeling aspects of individuals and businesses adapting to climate neutrality. They also introduced an urban planning toolkit designed to support the master planning of climate-neutral districts in Cluj-Napoca.
The event also showcases contributions from Cluj cluster ecosystem, including the Transilvania IT Cluster, which presents the development of a Digital Twin which focuses on Net Zero standards. Additionally, the Transylvania Energy Cluster introduces a toolkit designed to support the creation of Climate Neutral Communities, with a strong emphasis on sustainable impact.
The Cluj Metropolitan Area (CMA) discussed their pivotal role in launching a Carbon Neutrality Caravan, designed to share Cluj-Napoca’s new zero-carbon mindset with nearby areas and encourage residents, businesses, and local government in the surrounding areas to adopt eco-friendly habits, tailored to the local community’s needs.
Lastly, Mr. George Kokoletsos, President of the Municipality of Vouliagmeni, discussed their innovative waste management strategies, based on AI implementation, and the “pay as you throw” and “benefit as you save” approach.
As the day came to a close, the participants gathered for an enriching Stakeholder Mapping Workshop and a networking session, creating a heartfelt space for meaningful connections. This environment provided a unique platform for our visitors from Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni to interact with local stakeholders, fostering discussions that could lead to new collaborations and innovations in the pursuit of climate neutrality.
As we reflect on the insights from this event, it’s clear that the journey towards climate neutrality is not just a goal, but a shared responsibility. With the collective efforts of local and international stakeholders, the goal of sustainable, resilient, and climate-neutral cities is within our grasp.
In the coming months, Cluj-Napoca 2030 Net Zero City Coalition is set to launch a dynamic series of events aimed at circular economy, raising awareness about food waste and the reuse of old clothes.
The Twinning Learning Programme is a 20-month programme in which Cluj-Napoca is participating. Its purpose is to share knowledge and transfer good practices between the upcoming selected Twin Cities and the cities that were selected to join the NetZeroCities’ Pilot Cities Programme. The programme is based on a practical knowledge-sharing approach from Pilot Cities to Twin Cities, while also enabling a peer learning framework, allowing Pilot Cities to also learn from Twin Cities’ experiences.
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The grant is funded by Horizon 2020, the EU framework programme for research and innovation preceding the current Horizon Europe programme. The funding will complement the support provided already by the City Advisors and the Consortium partners of NetZeroCities. The Pilot Cities Programme is a crucial part of accomplishing the objectives of the EU 100 Cities Mission, which aims for these cities to accelerate climate-neutrality by 2030.
