The European Commission chose the two Irish cities to take part in the Mission, which will see the representatives supported in accelerating their green and digital transformations, becoming part of a network of 100 cities across Europe working to achieve this aim.
The chosen cities will act as experimentation and innovation hubs, implementing cutting-edge and creative solutions across energy, transport, waste, infrastructure and building categories to reduce their environmental footprints and contributions to climate change. They will serve as sites of learning and inspiration for other cities and towns to follow.
Congratulating Cork and Dublin on their inclusion in the competitive Mission, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: "Achieving climate neutrality through accelerated and rapid greenhouse gas emissions reduction is a fundamental goal of the European Green Deal and a key commitment of this Government. Our urban areas play a critical role in this endeavour, with opportunities to transform our cities into healthier, safer and cleaner spaces and even more enjoyable places to live.
-- Advertisement --
"I am also aware that a number of our other cities and towns applied to take part in this transformative Mission. I commend their commitment, foresight and ambition in applying and am encouraged by how strongly Ireland was represented in the competition. This is only the beginning of the climate-neutral journey for all cities in this call, with the Commission keen to also support those who were not selected with twinning activities, open access resources, support networks and other funding opportunities.
"The Government is keen to ensure that Cork and Dublin are assisted in making best use of this opportunity and the support of relevant Government Departments, agencies and bodies will be forthcoming.
"For now, I hope you join me in congratulating Cork and Dublin in their commendable success in the Commission's Climate-Neutral Smart Cities Mission. I look forward to engaging with them as they pursue their accelerated climate and digital actions and anticipate the important lessons that they will unveil for other towns and cities across Ireland and Europe to follow."
