Net Zero Districts (NZD) is a European project that helps urban districts become more sustainable by reducing energy and water consumption and increasing their capacity to adapt to climate change.

The goal is to demonstrate that innovating in resource management not only protects the environment, but also makes businesses more competitive.

The project involves the Municipalities of Prato, Parma, Bergamo and Rome, committed to the European Mission for climate neutrality by 2030, and the technical partner AESS, the Agency for Energy and Sustainable Development.

An integrated approach to energy and water

NZD intervenes in two key areas of climate transition in urban districts: energy management and water management.

On the energy front, the project develops concrete and replicable solutions to increase efficiency and renewables, starting from an analysis of consumption and existing infrastructure. It evaluates the potential for new photovoltaic installations or other technologies – from rooftops to parking lots, to open areas – and identifies, together with businesses and local stakeholders, obstacles and opportunities for intervention. This work generates transferable best practices for other territories, innovative models of shared energy management, and guidelines based on international standards, designed to facilitate the adoption of management systems in districts.

At the same time, NZD supports districts in addressing challenges related to water resources – from drought to flooding – through a structured process of analysis, planning, and innovation. It studies supply and drainage systems, identifies critical issues and opportunities to reduce consumption and increase water recovery, and promotes existing models, such as the GIDA experience of the Prato textile district, now a national reference. The project also promotes solutions for rainwater collection and gray water treatment and reuse, with the goal of guiding districts toward more resilient, circular, and sustainable water resource management.

Browse the Net Zero Districts web pages and discover the objectives, challenges, and activities of the project.