Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) has achieved a significant success in line with its vision of making the city a “carbon neutral” and “resilient city”. Istanbul, one of the pioneer cities in the European Union’s (EU) “Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission”, has been awarded the “EU Cities Mission Label”. This prestigious award was achieved as a result of Istanbul’s determination to bring the climate neutrality target from 2050 to 2030 and its concrete steps in this direction.
Istanbul's Journey and Commitments in the EU Climate Mission
Istanbul applied to the European Union’s “Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission” in January 2022, becoming one of the 100+12 pioneer cities in this important initiative and gaining the status of “Mission City”. The main purpose of this mission is to ensure that cities carry out rapid and effective transformations at the local level to combat climate change. In order to achieve this goal, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality has intensified its efforts to bring the carbon neutrality target set for 2050 to 2030.
In this context, a “Climate City Agreement” specific to Istanbul was prepared by the Climate Change Branch Directorate of the IMM Environmental Protection and Control Department. This comprehensive agreement, which was submitted to the detailed evaluation of the European Union Commission in October 2024, includes Istanbul’s long-term commitments to become carbon neutral, concrete actions planned to be implemented, and strategic investment plans for the financing of these actions.
New Collaborations and Financing Opportunities with the “EU Cities Mission Label”
As of May 2025, Istanbul’s “Climate City Charter” has been officially approved by the European Commission. With this approval, Istanbul has earned the “EU Cities Mission Label” award. Presented on May 7, 2025, this prestigious award has internationally certified Istanbul’s “climate-neutral and smart city” status, marking an important milestone in the city’s path to achieving its climate-neutral goals and accelerating its green transformation efforts. This label will pave the way for Istanbul to establish new collaborations with other cities with similar visions in the future and access various financial resources for green transformation projects.
Istanbul's Representation in Vilnius and Award Ceremony
Istanbul also participated with high-level representatives in the “6 Cities Mission Conference” held in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, on May 8-2025, 2025. Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Environmental Protection and Control Department Head Prof. Dr. Ayşen Erdinçler and Elvin Öksüz Bayazıt from the Climate Change Branch Directorate attended the conference. At this important platform, it was announced that the Climate City Agreements of 39 new cities, including Istanbul, were approved by the EU Commission and were entitled to receive the “EU Cities Mission Label”.
This historic announcement by Patrick Child, EU Deputy Director General for the Environment, represents international support and recognition for the steps Istanbul will take towards achieving its green transformation and climate neutrality goals. The “EU Cities Mission Label” awards were presented at a special award ceremony held in Vilnius on May 7, 2025. This award crowns Istanbul’s vision for a sustainable future and the determined steps it has taken towards this vision.
