NEUTRALPATH Newsletter #3

Dear Reader,

As we continue this journey towards a climate-neutral future, we are pleased to share the third edition of our newsletter.

This June, our 4th Periodic Meeting took place in Zaragoza, Spain, bringing together all partners for a full agenda: reviewing the work done so far, participating in collaborative workshops, visiting the Zaragoza PCED demo site, engaging in a capacity-building session, and hosting an open day.

In recent months, NEUTRALPATH has been actively engaging cities and stakeholders across Europe to accelerate the transition towards climate-neutral districts. A major milestone was the launch of the City Alliance—an open call inviting small and medium cities to co-develop and scale up Positive and Clean Energy Districts (PCEDs). Building on this momentum, NEUTRALPATH took part in a Community of Practice webinar on mobility innovation for PCEDs, co-organised by Eurocities and ASCEND. Insights from various projects highlighted the central role of sustainable mobility in achieving systemic urban transformation. The project also had a strong presence at the recent NetZeroCities Conference in Vilnius, joining the PED cluster stand alongside ASCEND, BiPED, TIPS4PED and exPEDite to exchange on synergies and shared challenges.

NEUTRALPATH has continued to foster knowledge sharing and capacity building through a series of public webinars and training sessions. A highlight was the public webinar on Positive and Clean Energy Districts (PCEDs), which spotlighted Dresden’s pioneering efforts and explored practical pathways for replication in other cities. In parallel, the project launched its Capacity Building Programme featuring experts from NetZeroCities, focusing on governance innovation as a critical enabler for urban climate action. These initiatives are part of NEUTRALPATH’s broader commitment to equipping cities with the tools and insights needed to deliver transformative change.

This issue also features a short video in which Luke Bojčev, Smart City Manager at Dresden Municipality, shares insights about Dresden’s two pilot sites modelling Positive and Clean Energy Districts. This pilot represents common building types in Germany: high-rise apartment complexes and detached multifamily compact buildings.

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Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we’re paving the way for a carbon-neutral, positive future.

Cecilia Sanz Montalvillo

NEUTRALPATH Project Coordinator

CARTIF

NEUTRALPATH steps

NEUTRALPATH partners and cities explore the future of climate neutrality in Zaragoza

Zaragoza, Spain, recently hosted the NEUTRALPATH project’s partners for a three-day gathering focused on innovation, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. Held at the Etopia Center for Art and Technology, the event brought together city representatives, technical experts, and community members to explore the challenges and opportunities of developing Positive Clean Energy Districts (PCEDs), all with the shared goal of accelerating climate neutrality in urban areas.

Dresden: Pioneering Climate-Neutral Transformation

Discover how Dresden is leading the charge for a climate-neutral Europe! Luke Bojčev, Smart City Manager at Dresden Municipality, shares insights about the NEUTRALPATH lighthouse city and its two pilots’ sites which are modelling Positive and Clean Energy Districts. By testing technologies like low-temperature district heating and bidirectional EV charging, Dresden ensures these innovations can be applied locally and across Europe.

Watch the interview

Empowering cities for a clean energy future: NEUTRALPATH governance model guide

NEUTRALPATH released its innovative governance model guide aimed at fostering the creation of Positive and Clean Energy Districts (PCEDs) across Europe. The guide help cities and stakeholders to collaborate effectively in achieving climate neutrality through innovation and co-creation.

Positive and climate-neutral news

Zaragoza’s community-driven path to energy-efficient housing

At the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 2025, held from June 10-12, Zaragoza’s Managing Director of Housing, Lorena Reula, represented the NEUTRALPATH project during the policy session hosted by the Covenant of Mayors: “Housing for Resilient Cities: Empowering Citizens for a Clean Energy Transition.” Her presentation highlighted Zaragoza’s inclusive and community-driven approach to delivering energy-efficient housing.

Dresden receives the EU Mission City Label

At the third EU City Mission Conference in Vilnius, the European Commission honoured the city of Dresden with the "mission label." This recognition highlights Dresden’s strong commitment to building a sustainable and climate-friendly resilient future.

NEUTRALPATH cities contribute to new policy on urban decarbonisation

NEUTRALPATH announces the publication of a policy brief developed by Eurocities in collaboration with NetZeroCities (NZC) and NEUTRALPATH cities, Dresden and Zaragoza.

Joining forces towards climate neutrality

Open call for cities to join City Alliances for Positive and Clean Energy Districts

As two years have passed since the launch of NEUTRALPATH, the project is now initiating dissemination and collaboration efforts with other European cities that are interested in engaging with the project. Specifically, the invitation is for medium, small, and very small cities located in peripheral regions that have not yet been involved in other Horizon Europe smart city projects, and that lack access to the usual energy transition frameworks.

Building climate-neutral cities: NEUTRALPATH Capacity Building Programme

Eurocities recently published an article highlighting NEUTRALPATH Capacity Building Programme, which is designed to help cities achieve climate neutrality through collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

Pathways to sustainable cities: mobility innovations from Zaragoza and Munich

How are European cities turning sustainability goals into action? In the latest joint webinar hosted by the NEUTRALPATH and ASCEND projects, urban mobility experts and municipal representatives showcased practical approaches to sustainable transport within the framework of Positive and Clean Energy Districts (PCEDs).

NEUTRALPATH contributed to the Cities Mission Conference discussions on climate-neutrality

NEUTRALPATH project took part in the recent Cities Mission Conference, bringing the experience and perspective of its partners to the conversation on how to accelerate the transition toward climate neutrality.

Past events & highlights

· NEUTRALPATH represented by Zaragoza Housing Director at the European Sustainable Energy Week in Brussels on June 10 in the Policy session organised by the Covenant of Mayors “Housing for resilient cities: empowering citizens for a clean energy transition”

· NEUTRALPATH Capacity Building session during GA Zaragoza

Upcoming events

· Policy Session online in September 2025

· Joint session with PED cluster during Smart City World Expo 2025 Barcelona

· Webinar on PCEDs with City Alliance members

NEUTRALPATH presentation video

Watch here

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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