The CEN/TC 465 Ad hoc Group on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities and Communities was established to support the EU’s 2050 climate-neutrality goal by accelerating sustainability and digitalisation in Europe’s cities. Bringing together experts from policy, industry, research, local governments, and initiatives such as ExPEDite partner OASC, the group explored over ten months how urban innovations—such as local digital twins, urban data spaces, and digitally enabled solutions—can be supported and scaled through European and international standards. Drawing on eight city case studies across Europe, the group highlights the role of standards not only as technical tools, but as strategic enablers for policy implementation, interoperability, and scalable “sustainable and smart” urban transformation.