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A Research and Innovation Agenda for Zero-Emission European Cities

Author

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  • Francesco Fuso Nerini

    (Unit of Energy Systems Analysis, KTH—Royal Institute of Technology, 114 28 Stockholm, Sweden
    Payne Institute, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, USA)

  • Adriaan Slob

    (TNO Strategic Analysis and Policy, NL-2509 Den Haag, The Netherlands)

  • Rebecka Ericsdotter Engström

    (Unit of Energy Systems Analysis, KTH—Royal Institute of Technology, 114 28 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Evelina Trutnevyte

    (Section of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Renewable Energy Systems group, Institute of Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland)

Abstract

The Paris Agreement and SDG13 on Climate Action require a global drop in Green House Gases (GHG) emissions to stay within a “well below 2 degrees” climate change trajectory. Cities will play a key role in achieving this, being responsible for 60 to 80% of the global GHG emissions depending on the estimate. This paper describes how Research and Innovation (R&I) can play a key role in decarbonizing European cities, and the role that research and education institutions can play in that regard. The paper highlights critical R&I actions in cities based on three pillars: (1) innovative technology and integration, (2) governance innovation, and (3) social innovation. Further, the research needed to harmonize climate mitigation and adaptation in cities are investigated.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Fuso Nerini & Adriaan Slob & Rebecka Ericsdotter Engström & Evelina Trutnevyte, 2019. "A Research and Innovation Agenda for Zero-Emission European Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:6:p:1692-:d:215791
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    Cited by:

    1. Walter Leal Filho & Peter Yang & João Henrique Paulino Pires Eustachio & Anabela Marisa Azul & Joshua C. Gellers & Agata Gielczyk & Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis & Valerija Kozlova, 2023. "Deploying digitalisation and artificial intelligence in sustainable development research," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(6), pages 4957-4988, June.
    2. Göran Finnveden & Julie Newman & Leendert A. Verhoef, 2019. "Sustainable Development and Higher Education: Acting with a Purpose," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(14), pages 1-4, July.
    3. António Cavaleiro de Ferreira & Francesco Fuso-Nerini, 2019. "A Framework for Implementing and Tracking Circular Economy in Cities: The Case of Porto," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-23, March.
    4. Idiano D’Adamo & Paolo Rosa, 2019. "A Structured Literature Review on Obsolete Electric Vehicles Management Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-17, December.
    5. Alejandro Valencia-Arias & María Lucelly Urrego-Marín & Lemy Bran-Piedrahita, 2021. "A Methodological Model to Evaluate Smart City Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-17, October.
    6. Ziegler, Rafael & Balzac-Arroyo, Josephine & Hölsgens, Rick & Holzgreve, Sarah & Lyon, Fergus & Spangenberg, Joachim H. & Thapa, Philipp P., 2022. "Social innovation for biodiversity: A literature review and research challenges," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    7. Jakub Zawieska & Hanna Obracht-Prondzyńska & Ewa Duda & Danuta Uryga & Małgorzata Romanowska, 2022. "In Search of the Innovative Digital Solutions Enhancing Social Pro-Environmental Engagement," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-18, July.

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