The EU is setting a new 2040 greenhouse gas reduction target, building on the 55% cut by 2030. Cities, responsible for over 70% of global emissions and home to more than 70% of the EU population, are central to this effort. Urban areas generate around 85% of the EU’s GDP, making them key to decarbonizing both society and the economy. Buildings and transport offer the highest reduction potential, as highlighted by the EU Mission Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities. To meet these goals, member states must develop new tools, capacities, and inclusive decision-making processes that engage stakeholders and mobilize financial resources. However, several challenges remain. First, there is a lack of accessible, shared data on emissions and key drivers, which are essential for planning, envisioning, implementing, managing and measuring progress. Second, planning remains fragmented across sectors, limiting the development of integrated strategies. Third, community engagement and PPP partnerships, which are required respectively for inclusive decision making and implementing progress, are hindered by lack of transparency and information. This research aims to develop multi-dimensional digital based frameworks or systems that provides useful support for decision-makers, combining data, planning tools, and evaluation processes. The goal is to integrate energy, economic, environmental, urban planning, and policy analysis into a coherent system to support effective urban decarbonization.
The candidate should have a degree in planning/architecture or in environmental/energy/industrial/management engineering
For this scholarship it is mandatory a period of research abroad of 6 months.
The research team is composed by experts in energy, sustainable urban systems, assessment and evaluation