Twelve Ukrainian cities have started their journey towards a climate-neutral development with the launch of the SUN4Ukraine initiative, part of the EU’s Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission
The announcement was made in Kyiv at the “State of Local Self Government: Challenges and Prospects” conference organised by the Association of Ukrainian Cities.
The twelve cities include;
- Chernihiv
- Chernivtsi
- Dnipro
- Kalush
- Kharkiv
- Konotop
- Kyiv
- Mykolaiv
- Novovolynsk
- Pervomaisk
- Vinnytsia
- Zviahel
Each city will be crucial in driving Ukraine’s climate-resilient recovery among ongoing war challenges.
What is the SUN4Ukraine initiative?
The SUN4Ukraine initiative, launched in May 2024, supports Ukrainian municipalities in their journey to becoming climate-neutral by 2050.
The initiative is part of Ukraine’s wider EU Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, which will transform 100 cities across Europe into climate-neutral hubs by 2030.
By focusing on sustainable and resilient urban development, the initiative provides the selected Ukrainian cities with expert guidance, capacity-building programs, and partnerships with cities across the EU that have already committed to climate neutrality.
Responding to war and climate challenges
As the war continues to disrupt Ukraine’s infrastructure, the challenge of rebuilding cities sustainably is huge.
These twelve cities’ commitment to climate neutrality show their resilience and vision for a sustainable future. Despite the challenges set by Russia’s invasion, Ukrainian cities are determined to integrate climate activities recovery plans.
The SUN4Ukraine initiative aims to help these cities develop Climate Neutrality Plans that align with Russia’s long-term climate objectives.
By 2050, Ukraine hopes to reach net-zero emissions, adding to the European initiative’s policy to reduce emissions by 55% across the EU by 2030.
The selected cities will receive personal technical and financial support to help them address the specific recovery challenges set by war while promoting green, smart, and sustainable growth.
Support through partnerships
SUN4Ukraine creates partnerships between Ukrainian cities and EU Mission Cities.
These partnerships will allow for practical knowledge exchanges, where Ukrainian cities can learn from EU cities already implementing successful climate-neutral strategies.
By partnering with cities like Sönderborg (Denmark), Malmö (Sweden), Barcelona (Spain), and Heidelberg (Germany), Ukrainians can benefit from the experience and gain some practical insights on effective climate solutions.
The cities will also receive a comprehensive capacity-building program, which includes training and support on urban climate action, governance, financing, and project implementation. These programs will be designed to suit each city’s circumstances.
Climate innovation in Ukraine
The initiative also hopes to establish a Ukrainian Cities Climate Hub.
This network will act as a platform for all Ukrainian cities that expressed interest in the SUN4Ukraine project, promoting collaboration and collective learning. This hub allows cities to share their experiences and solutions as they move towards a climate-resilient future.
Building on EU Mission’s legacy
The EU Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission is part of a wider effort under the Horizon Europe framework, designed to help cities reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency.
The Mission’s long-term goal is to establish 100 climate-neutral cities by 2030.
Cities are responsible for a large portion of global emissions, over 70% of CO2 emissions and 65% of energy consumption; the role of urban areas in tackling climate change is essential.
The EU Mission focuses on creating innovation hubs in these cities, where new technologies, sustainable practices, and digital solutions can be tested and scaled. Ukrainian cities joining this Mission will contribute to the global fight against climate change and ensure their rebuilding process is smart, green, and future-ready.
The SUN4Ukraine initiative is crucial to integrating sustainability into Ukraine’s post-war recovery. With the backing of the EU and innovative collaborations with climate-neutral cities, Ukrainian cities are preparing to confront the challenge of achieving climate neutrality.
