La Mission europea per le 100 città clima-neutrali. I Climate City Contracts

This chapter explores the European Mission for 100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities as a transformative policy initiative aimed at accelerating urban climate action. Set against the backdrop of a polycrisis context, it examines how cities are repositioned as laboratories for systemic change, moving beyond fragmented, sectoral policies. Central to this effort are the Climate City Contracts (CCCs), co-created tools that foster multi-level governance, institutional coordination, and civic engagement. The chapter highlights the strategic role of universities as emerging partners in shaping inclusive and locally grounded transition processes. Drawing from literature on urban governance and climate justice, as well as practical exam- ples from cities across Europe, it discusses the challenges and opportunities of align- ing political commitments, institutional capabilities, and citizen participation. The chapter also introduces the Energy Citizenship Contracts developed in the GRETA project as a complementary instrument to deepen civic agency in climate transitions. Through these lenses, the Mission is presented not just as a funding framework but as a political experiment in rethinking how cities govern, collaborate, and innovate in response to the climate crisis.