ATHENS – A new Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) has created a network of 85 Greek cities that have pledged to work toward climate neutrality, the Energy and Environment Ministry announced on Wednesday.

Six major Greek cities – Athens, Ioannina, Kalamata, Kozani, Thessaloniki and Trikala – have already been selected among 377 contenders by the European Commission to take part in the EU mission for 100 climate neutral and smart cities by 2030 in the sectors of clean mobility, energy efficiency and green urban planning.

Energy and Environment Minister Kostas Skrekas made the following statement: the citizen’s life in the 21st century in climate neutral and smart cities is the focus of a policy implemented by the government. After the six Greek participations in the Mission for Climate Neutral and Smart Cities in energy, transport and the urban planning, the creation of a new network of another 85 cities proves society’s keen interest and its demand that we proceed with the green transition. The network of 85 Greek cities is another proof that our policy is the expression of society’s wishes for the Greece of tomorrow.”

Αccording to EU, the 100 cities selected will act as hubs for experimentation and innovation to create climate neutral and smart cities by 2030, 20 years earlier than the initial target for climate neutrality under by the Euroepan Green Deal, paving the way for other European cities to follow suit.