Dresden serves as the model for future city transport systems
In the heart of Germany, the city of Dresden is taking bold steps towards achieving climate neutrality. This journey is not a solitary one, as Dresden is collaborating with partners across Europe as part of the EU mission "100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030."
One of the key initiatives in Dresden is the Smart City Dresden project, which includes the development of autonomous electric buses and the creation of a decentralized data ecosystem for automated driving. These advancements are significant building blocks in the path towards climate neutrality.
The city's commitment to sustainability is further reinforced by the Climate-City-Contract, a municipal framework plan that outlines a potential path to climate neutrality. This contract is a collaborative effort between Dresden and other participating cities in the EU mission.
Dresden is one of two pilot cities for testing sustainable mobility solutions, adaptable for municipalities across Europe. The city is working with partners such as Volkswagen Group Innovation, SAP SE, Fraunhofer IVI, TU Dresden, and the Saxon Energy Agency SAENA to achieve this goal.
The EU project "Mobilities for EU," funded by the European Commission, is a crucial component of this mission. This project aims to accelerate the transition to climate-neutral traffic in European cities, including Dresden.
The "Mobilities for EU" project is not alone in its efforts. It is joined by the EU project NEUTRALPATH, which contributes research, innovation, and practical solutions towards climate-neutral, sustainable, and resilient urban development. These projects are essential for creating the Climate-City-Contract within the EU mission.
Europe aims to be climate-neutral by 2050, as agreed under the European Green Deal. The Climate-City-Contract and the efforts of cities like Dresden are significant steps towards achieving this ambitious goal.
It's important to note that transportation accounts for over 30% of Europe's total energy consumption and is the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases. Initiatives like those in Dresden are crucial in reducing these figures and creating a more sustainable future.
Five cities in Greece, Slovakia, Finland, Poland, and Bosnia and Herzegovina will adapt and further develop the processes for their individual needs, learning from the experiences of cities like Dresden. In total, 112 cities, including Dresden, are participating in the European Commission's "Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities" mission.
The creation of the Climate-City-Contract in Dresden is within the scope of this broader mission and is a significant step towards achieving climate neutrality in the city. The contract will describe how the path to climate neutrality could look like in Dresden, contributing to the EU's goal of having 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030.
