Brussels, 14 December 2023
Today, the Commission is launching a call for European cities committed to sustainability to apply for the 2026 edition of the European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards. Cities are invited to register for the contest via this webpage and can send their applications until 30 April 2024.
A panel of independent urban sustainability experts will review and assess the performance of the competing cities against the following seven environmental indicators: air quality; water; biodiversity, green areas and sustainable land use; waste and circular economy; noise; climate change mitigation; and climate change adaptation. Based on the experts’ recommendations and factual background checks, the Commission will select the finalist cities.
Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius said:
“Our EU Green Deal work becomes a reality through greener cities that take up the right initiatives. And there is a chance to shine and get rewarded for that effort. It’s our European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards. I am calling on our European cities to pick up the challenge and apply for the 2026 titles. This is an opportunity not only to win the prestigious title, but also to share great stories and actions with other cities, inspiring one another in the process.”
With over two-thirds of European population living in cities, cities play a leading role in the social, environmental, and economic transformation prioritized by the European Green Deal. The European Green Capital Award was launched by the Commission to encourage cities to become greener and cleaner. The Awards promote and reward the efforts of European towns and cities that strive to reduce their impact on the local and global environment improving the quality of life for their inhabitants. 16 cities have won the European Green Capital Award and 17 smaller cities have won the European Green Leaf Award to date, forming an ever-growing network of leading European cities that share a common vision and expertise and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
More information is in the news item.
Source – EU Commission