In order to substantially contribute to the implementation of this strategy or plan, SIPs should specify:

• additional, complementary adaptation actions, which are to be funded by other EU, national or private funding sources;
• how the project will mobilise complementary funds that can finance activities beyond the scope and timeframe of what is funded by LIFE, like measures to integrate climate adaptation objectives in private investment decisions;
• auxiliary actions that facilitate the implementation of the overall strategy or plan, such as capacity-building;
• how the project ensures the involvement and coordination of all relevant levels of government.

Furthermore, the proposal should present clear and quantifiable information on:

• the expected level of implementation of the adaptation strategy or plan as a direct consequence of (a) the actions foreseen in the SIP and (b) the complementary actions financed by other means mobilised in parallel to the SIP;
• the geographical area covered by these measures (which can span across national borders if climate risks and vulnerabilities are similar e.g. in river catchment areas);
• the specific climate risks and vulnerabilities to be addressed (considering also available information on projected future climatic conditions) and how the project’s actions help to minimise them;
• the level of involvement and commitment of the relevant competent authorities and stakeholders at local, regional and national level;
• the contribution to mainstreaming climate change action into different sectors.

Finally, climate change adaptation SIPs should develop synergies with other environmental and climate policies (e.g. climate mitigation, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity and water policy), and are encouraged to develop synergies with the EU Mission ‘Adaptation to Climate Change’.

SIPs under this category shall support the implementation of urban action plans pioneering the transition to a climate neutral and/or climate resilient society. Projects are encouraged to address the following themes:

• The implementation of urban adaptation and/or mitigation strategies and action plans, such as those linked to the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy;
• The development and deployment of innovative climate solutions for adaptation (CSFA) in urban areas, including in the water, energy and construction sectors, promoting and developing blue and green infrastructure, contributing to nature conservation and biodiversity objectives in urban areas; and implementing public-private partnerships on climate change resilience;
• The implementation of urban and/or rural low-carbon, low-emission strategies, including transport and mobility, renewable energy generation, storage and use (electric power and/or heat) within the urban area, district heating, energy efficiency and decarbonisation of public and private buildings40, low-emission city lighting, carbon removals in nature-based solutions and bio-based carbon storage products.
• Urban action plans should integrate at the same time climate change mitigation and adaptation objectives.

A SIP under this category must cover several cities and should support the implementation of the whole strategy or action plan.
It shall also include measures to integrate climate considerations in private investment decisions.

Urban climate change mitigation and/or adaptation SIPs are encouraged to develop synergies with the EU missions ‘Adaptation to Climate Change’ and ‘Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities’.

The proposal should therefore present information on:

• the expected level of implementation of the adaptation and/or mitigation action plan as a direct consequence of the actions foreseen in the SIP or through the complementary actions financed by other means mobilised in parallel to the SIP,
• the geographical area covered by measures and the citizens reached under the adaptation and/or mitigation action plans,
• the expected contribution to a shift towards a low emission and climate- resilient economy in the cities/local communities targeted through actions funded under the SIP and complementary projects,
• the expected increase in the number of cities/local communities applying integrated approaches with support of the IP or replicating the results from the SIP,
• the contribution to strengthening climate change adaptation and/or mitigation management and governance, including the level of involvement and commitment of the relevant competent authorities and stakeholders at local, regional and national level,
• the contribution to mainstreaming climate change action across different policy areas.

Activities that can be funded by Climate change mitigation SIPs: SIPs falling under the area of climate change mitigation shall support the implementation of greenhouse gas mitigation strategies, action plans or roadmaps contributing to climate neutrality.

• specific municipalities or regions (e.g. as indicated by the Global Covenant of Mayors);
• industrial sectors;
• agriculture, forestry and other land uses (e.g. setting out public programmes to reward land managers for nature-based solutions -such as peatland rewetting based on the Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation framework);
• other economic sectors (e.g. maritime transport, aviation, finance) by promoting and implementing sustainable technologies and services.