The role of cities in the European Union climate action under the European Green Deal in the post-2020 funding period
The role of cities in the European Union climate action under the European Green Deal in the post-2020 funding period

Summary/Abstract: In December 2019, the European Commission has presented the European Green Deal (EGD) that aims to make the European Union climate neutral by 2050. Accounting for 80% of the total EU population, and being responsible for 70% of GHG emissions and 75% of energy use, the European cities stay at the frontline of the ambitious and multidimensional transformation of Eu- rope towards the first climate neutral continent. The main aim of this paper is to explore the place of European urban areas in the EU climate action under the EGD in the post-2020 funding period. The first part of this article stresses the role of cities in the EU climate transition; the following part highlights the significance of urban dimension within the EGD as a post-COVID recovery plan; and the last part presents the incorporation of climate paradigm into the urban dimension within the post-2020 financial frameworks. Results of this study shows that besides of a remarkable pro- gress in the integration of urban dimension into the EGD, foundation of European city networks, and participation in the MFF for 2021-2027 and NGEU recovery fund, cities still require a greater support from the EU in the area of climate action.

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