An approach to climate-neutral municipalities
The transition towards climate neutrality is well underway. Governments are taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while in parallel creating future-proof living environments for their residents. Through a range of projects, TNO supports Dutch municipalities that want to accelerate this transition and, by working together, develop a Dutch approach to climate neutrality.
The Dutch Climate Act sets the objective of achieving a climate-neutral in the Netherlands by 2050. Municipalities play a key role in translating this ambition into local action and are responsible for implementing measures related to sustainable mobility, energy-efficient buildings, the circular economy and climate-resilient urban environments.
Accelerating towards a climate-neutral and smart future
Together with leading municipalities, TNO develops new knowledge, pilots innovative solutions and helps scale up successful approaches. Digitalisation plays a crucial role in this process. Data and smart technologies enable municipalities to monitor developments, make better-informed decisions and effectively steer progress towards their climate goals. At the same time, we ensure that other mission-driven municipalities can benefit from these experiences and insights.
From ambition to implementation
Many municipalities have set ambitious climate targets and have already taken important steps towards achieving them. Accelerating the transition, however, also introduces new challenges:
- Which projects make the greatest contribution to climate neutrality and addresses other societal challenges?
- How are different initiatives interconnected, and what opportunities emerge when they are managed as a portfolio?
- Which stakeholders are involved, and who holds responsibility for what?
- How can progress, planning and results be effectively monitored?
- How can knowledge sharing be organised both within and between organisations?
TNO helps municipalities answer these questions and, together with them, develops a practical Dutch approach to climate neutrality.
Interconnected climate-neutrality projects
1. Horizon Europe project: NetZeroCities
Through the EU Cities Mission, the European Commission aims to make 100 European cities climate-neutral and smart by 2030. Supported by the NetZeroCities consortium, all participating mission cities, including seven Dutch cities, have embraced this challenge. Alongside these seven mission cities, other mission minded cities are also showing interest in accelerating their journey towards climate neutrality.
As part of the consortium, TNO supports these mission cities by:
- Developing, strengthening and analysing Dutch Climate City Contracts: agreements between cities and local stakeholders on climate goals and financing
- Identifying funding opportunities for transition projects
- Addressing governance and policy challenges related to the implementation of individual projects and project portfolios
- Providing expertise on technical challenges associated with implementing climate measures
- Facilitating learning from successful examples across the Netherlands and Europe
Through our involvement in NetZeroCities and other European Smart City initiatives, including Atelier, MOVE21 and Ruggedised, we connect local ambitions with international knowledge, innovation and practical experience.
2. National Collaboration Structure (NSS)
The seven Dutch mission cities work together with the Ministries of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, Economic Affairs, and Infrastructure and Water Management, as well as the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG), within the National Collaboration Structure (In Dutch: National SamenwerkingsStructuur: NSS) to support climate objectives.
TNO contributed to the development of this collaborative framework and continues to support its further evolution. We monitor progress and help strengthen knowledge exchange between cities.
The NSS also actively involves mission minded cities, ensuring that experiences and lessons learned are widely shared and applied.
3. Horizon Europe project: CapaCITIES
Within the European CapaCITIES project, TNO and Platform31 support municipalities in addressing current challenges related to climate neutrality.
At present, we are developing knowledge on the role municipalities can play in reducing Scope 3 emissions. These are emissions that occur outside municipal boundaries but are driven by activities within them. We are also exploring how climate justice can contribute to accelerating reductions in these emissions.
4. EU TSI: Climate Neutral Cities Learning
Achieving climate neutrality requires more than technological solutions alone. It also depends on strong organisations and effective collaboration.
Through the TSI Climate Neutral Cities Learning programme, TNO is developing a learning infrastructure that enables Dutch mission cities to learn systematically from one another. The knowledge generated is subsequently shared with other mission minded cities and national partners, helping to create a growing community of cities that support each other in their transition towards climate neutrality.
Working together on a climate-neutral approach for municipalities
An increasing number of Dutch municipalities are choosing to accelerate their climate ambitions. While the challenge is significant, municipalities do not have to tackle it alone.
Drawing on our expertise in transitions, innovation, technology, finance, governance and intercity learning, TNO supports municipalities at every stage of their journey towards a climate-neutral and smart future. From strategy and collaboration to implementation and scaling up, we work together to develop a Dutch approach that is practical, achievable and impactful.
Questions? Get in touch
-
Chris van der Valk
Functie:Strategic Partnership DeveloperSpecialisatie niet bekendAt TNO Vector, I develop new partnerships and build further upon existing ones for a more sustainable, livable and resilient society. Together with my excellent team of researchers, consultants and project managers – at TNO Vector and TNO-wide – I address societal challenges mainly from three areas of expertise: economics, governance and spatial use. To get to well-balanced integral solutions, we mostly combine these knowledge areas and even connect them to others like digitalization.
-
E-mail:E-mail Chris
-
LinkedIn:Chris on LinkedIn
-
-
Geiske Bouma
Functie:Principal consultantSpecialisatie niet bekendI am Geiske Bouma, senior researcher in the field of spatial planning, transitions and urban innovation at TNO Vector. In my work, with a specialisation in spatial development and governance innovation, I focus on urban issues and the connection to policy and governance.
-
E-mail:E-mail Geiske
-
LinkedIn:Geiske on LinkedIn
-
-
David Dooghe
Functie:Senior researcher and advisor space, technology and transitionSpecialisatie niet bekendI am David Dooghe, senior researcher and consultant around space, technology and transitions at TNO Vector. Trained as an architect and urban planner, I focus on the spatial (policy) challenges and incorporation of technologies, and broader transitions, such as the health, energy or mobility transition.
-
E-mail:E-mail David
-
LinkedIn:David on LinkedIn
-
