Will your city be the European Green Capital 2016?
The European Green Capital Award recognises cities that are at the forefront of environmentally-friendly urban living
The annual award is intended to inspire European cities to take action to become more attractive and healthy places to live, work and visit – cities that are “fit for life”.
For the first time, cities across Europe with more than 100,000 inhabitants can apply for the title. Previously only cities with a population of 200,000 or more were eligible. The change means that the award is now accessible to over 400 cities across Europe.
The benefits of being a European Green Capital start with a cleaner environment, new jobs and investments, and include an increase in tourism, with benefits from positive international media coverage and more sponsorship for environmental projects.
European Commissioner for the Environment Janez Potočnik said: “The European Green Capital Award showcases local efforts to improve the urban environment and promote sustainable growth. As we launch the competition for the seventh European Green Capital, for 2016, I would like to encourage smaller cities to apply and to use this as an opportunity to review and highlight their environmental achievements and plan a sustainable future for their citizens.”
The award aims to:
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Recognise cities that have a well-established record of achieving high environmental objectives
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Encourage cities to commit to ambitious goals for future environmental improvement and sustainable development, and
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Inspire other cities through new ideas, best practices and experiences.
Entries will be assessed on the basis of 12 indicators: climate change, mitigation and adaptation; local transport; green urban areas incorporating sustainable land use; nature and biodiversity; ambient air quality; quality of the acoustic environment; waste production and management; water management; wastewater treatment; eco-innovation and sustainable employment; energy performance; integrated environmental management.
The award is open to EU Member States, acceding and candidate countries, (Croatia, FYROM, Iceland, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey) and European Economic Area countries. Cities can apply online at www.europeangreencapital.eu.
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