Dublin and Cork are among 100 cities chosen by the European Commission to participate in a major new project aimed at climate neutrality by the end of the decade.
The two Irish cities were chosen out of 377 across the continent as to become "climate-neutral by 2050" as part of the Cities Mission.
The Cities Mission is an EU objective that wants 100 guinea pig cities to implement climate neutral plans in the likes of energy, buildings, waste, and transport by 2030, so the trial and error involved can be used to make all cities in the 27-member bloc climate neutral by 2050.
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Climate neutral means carbon emissions released into the atmosphere by one of the cities is balanced out by the same amount of emissions being removed.
Dublin and Cork will now have to draw up "climate city contracts" outlining their plans to achieve climate neutrality by 2030, the commission said.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the Commission, said: "The green transition is making its way all over Europe right now. But there's always a need for trailblazers, who set themselves even higher goals.
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"These cities are showing us the way to a healthier future. We will support them on this! Let's begin the work today.”
The Cities Mission will receive €360 million of Horizon Europe funding covering the period 2022-23, to start the innovation paths towards climate neutrality by 2030, the commission said.
While the contracts are a "clear and highly visible political commitment", the commission said, they are not legally binding.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Cork and Dublin could provide "learning and inspiration for other cities and towns to follow in the decades to come" as part of the Cities Mission project.
Congratulating Dublin and Cork on being selected, Taoiseach Michael Martin said: "Through this Mission, Cork and Dublin will be supported in accelerating their green and digital transformations and will become part of a network of 100 cities across Europe working to achieve this aim.
He added: "The Government is keen to ensure that Cork and Dublin are assisted in making best use of this opportunity and the support of relevant Government departments, agencies and bodies will be forthcoming.
"This initiative will allow for participating cities to be at the forefront of demonstrating how local authorities, relevant public bodies, business, third-level institutions, civil society and citizens can work together in practical ways to tackle emissions," he said.
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