Two new JRC guides supporting cities on the path to climate neutrality

A clear call to action has emerged from the Expressions of Interest in the 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, the analysis of Climate City Contracts, and direct city feedback: the need for tailored support on two critical fronts - tackling Scope 3 emissions and leveraging negative emissions (including carbon sinks and credits) to reach net-zero emissions by 2030.

Responding to this need, the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) has led a rigorous scientific and stakeholder-driven process. The result is two new guidance documents that help cities navigate some of the most complex aspects of climate neutrality planning: accounting for out-of-boundary emissions and developing credible approaches to negative emissions.

Tackling out-of-boundary emissions in climate change mitigation at the city level

As cities strengthen their climate ambitions, many are looking beyond emissions generated within their territorial boundaries. Growing recognition of transboundary, Scope 3 and consumption-based emissions has increased demand for more comprehensive greenhouse gas accounting approaches. At the same time, expanding inventory coverage can create challenges related to data availability, methodological choices and overall modelling complexity.

To address this gap, the JRC published a state-of-the-art review of available approaches, methods and data, providing a knowledge base and recommendations towards developing guidance for more comprehensive, relevant and consistent GHG inventories.

Several Covenant signatories are already putting these approaches into practice. Helsingborg, Gothenburg and other Swedish cities have complemented their inventories with insights into emissions linked to household consumption, while Porto has expanded its inventory to include emissions associated with transboundary transport. In Helsinki, a life-cycle perspective  to new residential buildings has helped address emissions associated with construction beyond city boundaries.

Together, these examples demonstrate how cities can significantly reduce emissions associated with products and goods linked to urban activities by considering their entire value chain and acknowledging the implications of local action in increasingly globalised economies.

Discover more.

For any questions on this report, please contact Joana Bastos at Joana.BASTOS@ec.europa.eu.

Guidance on negative emissions for cities

Cities have long asked how to navigate the complexity of local carbon dioxide removals and carbon credits to fulfil their net-zero targets. Together with a group of experts, the European Commission's Joint Research Centre has also answered that call.

The "Guidance on negative emissions for cities" offers a conceptual and practical reference for any city (or other governance level) approaching emissions compensation via carbon sinks and credits. The main objectives are to distil the principles that should guide the overarching decision-making process, clearly identify forms of emissions compensation, offer precise directions for negative emissions accounting, and create a conceptual framework around the use of emissions compensation mechanisms with high climate and environmental integrity, managed through a transparent and ethical process.

While the guidance provides practical advice on residual emissions strategies, it makes clear that priority must always remain on emissions reduction at source.

Complementing the guidance, a dedicated Summary for Decision Makers distils the key messages into a practical resource tailored to policymakers, city leaders, and decision-makers, walking through the planning process for identifying and compensating residual emissions from a decision-maker’s perspective. 

Read the Guide and Summary for Decision Makers now.

For any questions, please contact Giulia Ulpiani at Giulia.ULPANI@ec.europa.eu.