DEEP CARBON SHIFT

Zero-Carbon Cities

Zero-carbon cities represent a transformative vision in which urban development is aligned with climate neutrality, environmental responsibility, and social well-being. Achieving this vision requires more than emissions reduction technologies alone; it demands systemic change across energy systems, mobility, buildings, public space, and patterns of production and consumption. Zero-carbon cities are therefore understood as integrated urban ecosystems where environmental performance, social inclusivity, and economic resilience are addressed simultaneously

In DEEP CARBON SHIFT, zero-carbon cities are approached through the combined lenses of education, technology, and collaboration. Deep tech tools—such as digital twins, data-driven simulations, and sensing technologies—enable evidence-based decision-making and scenario testing, while innovative educational models equip learners and professionals with the skills required to design, implement, and manage decarbonised urban systems. By linking learning processes to real urban challenges, the project supports practical pathways towards carbon neutrality that are grounded in local contexts

Looking forward, the transition to zero-carbon cities is framed as a collective and long-term process. Through cross-sector partnerships, replication mechanisms, and shared knowledge platforms, DEEP CARBON SHIFT contributes to building a European ecosystem capable of sustaining continuous urban transformation. Zero-carbon cities thus emerge not as static end-states, but as evolving environments where innovation, governance, and community engagement work together to support climate-neutral and resilient urban futures