NetZeroCities online course for all cities
Design Your City’s Net Zero Strategy: Online Planning Lab
Launching in September 2025, the online learning program will provide cities of all EU and affiliated countries a free online course designed to equip city representatives, policymakers, and urban change-makers with the knowledge and tools needed to drive systemic change.
Built around a strong peer-to-peer foundation, the program will function as a project-based Mini-Lab where cities with a population above 50,000 inhabitants can collaborate, exchange experiences, and co-develop solutions through digital learning modules and interactive live sessions.
Module 1: "How can the NetZeroCities support my city's climate transition goals?"
Core session: The NetZeroCities program, service offering, systemic approach, what works for Mission Cities (2 hours)
Spotlight session 1: NetZeroCities Orientation (2 hours)
Spotlight session 2: Shaping Climate Narratives (2 hours)
Spotlight session 3: Climate City Contracts (2 hours)
Module 2: "How can we develop capacity to work on the climate transition, go beyond working in silos and collaborate with the city's stakeholders?"
Core session: Developing a transition team, mapping and activating the ecosystem (2 hours)
Spotlight session 1: Transition team & climate leadership (2 hours)
Spotlight session 2: Engaging the private sector (2 hours)
Spotlight session 3: Citizen engagement (2 hours)
Module 3: "How might we design an effective climate action plan for and with the city?"
Core session: Developing the city's action plan for climate neutrality (2 hours)
Spotlight session 1: Portfolio Co-design and future scenarios (2 hours)
Spotlight session 2: Climate Action Plan in the urban planning system (2 hours)
Spotlight session 3: Reporting (2 hours)
Module 4: "How might we leverage technical solutions, citizens-led solutions and partnerships to reduce emissions?”
Core session: Levers of change: Tech and multi-actor collaborations (2 hours)
Spotlight session 1: Buildings (2 hours)
Spotlight session 2: Energy (2 hours)
Spotlight session 3: Mobility (2 hours)
Spotlight session 4: Passive Actions (2 hours)
Spotlight session 5: Scope 3 and other emission domains (2 hours)
Module 5: "How might we access diverse funding options and unlock investments in the city for climate neutrality?"
Core session: Introduction to finance: increase finance knowledge of the public administration and learn about options to finance projects (2 hours)
Spotlight session 1: Preparing a pipeline of projects with necessary data and information (2 hours)
Spotlight session 2: Different investor groups and the key priorities and returns profiles for each and instruments (2 hours)
Spotlight session 3: Financing the ambition: learning from Mission Cities (2 hours)
Module 6: "How might we align local, regional, and national governance to develop effective policies that support the climate transition?"
Core session: Multilevel governance, national platforms and policy strategies (2 hours)
Spotlight session 1: Policy and regulations innovation (2 hours)
Spotlight session 2: Public procurement – national specificities (2 hours)
Spotlight session 3: Just transition (2 hours)
What we offer
Certification: Completing all 6 core sessions grants a certification of completion by the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid and unlocks dedicated feedback sessions with NetZeroCities experts. The certificate can be awarded to a city as a whole if participation is distributed among representatives, or to individual participant(s) from that city who complete all modules themselves.
Flexible Participation: Participants can take modules and sessions individually if they wish to focus on specific topics only, but certification requires the completion of the 6 core sessions.
It is suggested that at least 2 people from each municipality take part ot the course to bring the necessary systemic innovation in the city.
Key resources translated in multiple EU languages: All essential materials will be translated to ensure accessibility for diverse participants
For more information or feedback, please contact: