Why Cities Need The Capital Hub

Urban areas are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Yet even when funding is available, many cities struggle to turn ambition into action. Key challenges: Limited in-house capacity to design bankable projects  Fragmented financial structures and policy misalignment  Difficulty attracting and absorbing private investment at scale The Climate City Capital Hub, led by BwB and consortium partners within NetZeroCitiesEU, the platform supporting the implementation of the EU Mission for 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, helps cities tackle these challenges. By designing innovative structures and mobilising finance, the Hub helps MissionCities unlock, structure, and absorb the capital they need to achieve climate neutrality. The Capital Hub works alongside cities to:

• Blend public and private finance through risk-sharing instruments

• Build credible investment pipelines aligned with climate action plans

• Tailored financial strategies aligned to each city’s climate goals

“By bridging the gap between ambition and execution, the Capital Hub helps cities move from plans on paper to projects on the ground, accelerating Europe’s just, green transition,” comments Delphine Queniart, Director of the Capital Hub. What are the biggest barriers you've seen in climate finance for cities? Share your perspective in the comments below.