The EU City Calculator is a free, online simulation tool that helps cities explore the impact of different decarbonisation strategies on their local emissions. Developed by Climact, with the support of Energy Cities, Carbon Market Watch, and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), the tool was originally financed through the Horizon 2020 EUCityCalc project.
Designed to support local authorities in building credible and data-informed climate transition plans, the EU City Calculator allows users to simulate various climate policies and adjust ambition levels. Cities can visualise how those choices affect emissions over time—making the tool a practical and evidence-based companion for planners working toward climate neutrality.
The SPARKLE project builds on this foundation. Funded under the LIFE programme, SPARKLE goes beyond tool development to create a comprehensive learning environment for city practitioners.
This includes online learning resources, in-person summer schools, and user-friendly upgrades to the Calculator itself. The project is being carried out in collaboration with ACR+, Fedarene, Rescoop, Urban Lab Torino, UVIC, and the cities of Calenzano, Vilnius, Poreč, Albertville, and Guimarães. Together, these partners aim to build capacity and empower cities across Europe with both the knowledge and tools needed to drive ambitious climate action.
What’s new and why it matters for Covenant of Mayors signatories
Until now, getting started with the Calculator required cities to gather and manually enter large amounts of data—a significant hurdle for many.
That’s why one of SPARKLE’s most important upgrades is a new automatic link between the EU City Calculator and the Covenant of Mayors’ Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs). For signatories of the Covenant who have already submitted their SECAP, this means they can now seamlessly import their data into the Calculator with just a few clicks.
This update brings clear benefits:
- No need to duplicate data collection – cities can build on existing efforts.
- Instant access to a powerful modelling tool that supports local decision-making.
- Better alignment between reporting (SECAP) and scenario planning (Calculator).
In short, the upgrade removes a key barrier to access, making it easier than ever for Covenant signatories to use the Calculator in support of their transition goals.
To showcase this major improvement, SPARKLE partners are hosting a webinar on Tuesday 17 June 2025 at 14:00 CEST, open to all interested local authorities.
Join the webinar on 17 June to learn more.
Details
- Publication date
- 20 May 2025