The article traces the evolution of the concept of climate neutrality, from early scientific theories on the Anthropocene and chaos theory to the European Green Deal. It analyses how the scientific community and international agreements – from the IPCC (1988) to the Paris Agreement (201)5 – have defined global targets to limit warming to 1.5-2°C above pre-industrial levels. Key climate risks identified include glacier melt, sea level rise, extreme weather events, and uneven geographic impacts. The EU’s Green deal is presented as a systemic response to four interconnected environmental crises (climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and resource consumption), through integrated strategies, and investments. European territorial cooperation is highlighted as a key driver for local implementation of the Green deal, enabling coordination across administrative borders. The Upper Adriatic region is showcased as a flagship example, with eleven projects addressing climate neutrality supported by cross-border programs between Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. These initiatives focus on circular economy, renewable energy, sustainable mobility, and biodiversity conservation. A qualitative study under the CO ADRIA Interreg project reveals strong knowledge of EU climate policies among stakeholders, with the industrial sector prioritizing infrastructure investments over awareness campaigns due to rising pressure to reduce carbon footprints. The article concludes by stressing that territorial cooperation will be essential for achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
