Climate-neutral City

The "Climate-Neutral City" program is aimed at Viennese municipalities and is initiated by the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Technology (BMIMI). The goal is to implement ambitious and accelerated measures to achieve climate neutrality by 2030 and to significantly shape the transformation process in Austria. To this end, agile innovation spaces are to be created, where development and learning environments as well as new cooperations and implementation partnerships between municipalities, industry, and research can be realized. Pioneer large and small cities anchor climate neutrality in their governance and proactively participate in the EU mission "100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030." Companies, non-profit organizations, and public institutions are funded with a total budget of 60 million euros in the form of grants. The submission period runs from 01.01.2024 to 31.12.2026.

The focus is on inter- and transdisciplinary research, technology, and innovation projects (RTI) that develop urban system innovations as well as research resource-efficient building materials and energy-efficient building concepts. Planned are construction research-oriented measures such as circular construction and digital planning processes, innovative mobility systems, sensor networks for behavior guidance, and satellite-supported analyses (e.g., Green Transition Information Factory). Pilot demonstrations in real environments and pioneer districts serve for prototypical testing as well as the development of climate-neutral governance models. Qualification measures within the framework of "People in RTI" strengthen competencies and increase gender and diversity dimensions in project management. Accompanying studies on regulatory barriers, best-practice analyses, and impact monitoring complement the funding portfolio. Funding is exclusively aimed at companies, non-profit organizations, and public institutions acting as consortium partners in urban RTI projects.