Rome has taken a decisive step toward climate neutrality. In the Campidoglio, the city presented its Climate City Contract (CCC) — a comprehensive plan that outlines objectives, investments, and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and guide the capital toward a structural ecological transition.
The European Commission has recognized the quality of Rome’s work by awarding the Climate City Contract Label, certifying the city’s inclusion among Europe’s frontrunners for urban climate action. The plan follows the approval, last January, of Rome’s Climate Adaptation Strategy and is part of the EU Mission “100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030.”
A Strategic Framework for Action
The Climate City Contract is built on three pillars:
- an Action Plan, gathering proposals and interventions;
- an Investment Plan, detailing costs and funding sources;
- and a Commitment Plan, defining goals, timelines, and responsibilities.
Seven priority areas structure the roadmap: energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, renewable and smart grids, industrial decarbonization, circular waste management, and urban reforestation. The work draws on the updated Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP), revised in 2023 with a more ambitious target — a 66% reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to 2003.
€16 Billion for a Carbon-Neutral Future
Since 2022 — when Rome was selected among the 100 European cities aiming for net-zero emissions by 2030 — detailed sectoral analyses have mapped the city’s emission pathways. The CCC identifies actions and projects worth €16 billion, combining ongoing and planned investments. These include measures for sustainable mobility, building energy retrofits, renewable energy development, waste management, and implementation of the Urban Sustainable Mobility Plan. According to projections, Rome could achieve an 86% reduction in emissions compared to 2003 (nearly 80% from 1990 levels), provided that technical support, financing, and policy continuity are maintained.
Collaboration at the Core
A key strength of the plan lies in its collaborative model: 80 stakeholders — including public institutions, private companies, utilities, research bodies, universities, foundations, and third-sector organizations — contributed 493 proposed actions toward climate neutrality. These initiatives will now be assessed with the European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) to secure financial and technical assistance for implementation.
The event at the Campidoglio’s Protomoteca Hall was opened by Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and coordinated by Edoardo Zanchini, Director of Rome’s Climate Office.Among the speakers were representatives from the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, EIB, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, Unindustria, Fedarene, and Renael.
Why It Matters for Public Procurement and the Green Transition
Rome’s Climate Plan directly touches the core themes of the green transition:
- Public procurement becomes a strategic tool to reduce emissions;
- Decarbonization advances through public buildings, mobility, and urban services;
- Public-private cooperation and technical training are key enablers;
- Sustainability requires investment, stable governance, and skilled administration.
The challenge now is to move from planning to implementation — through tenders, construction sites, local projects, and ongoing emissions monitoring.
