Europe's Greenest City Competition

Six European cities representing five nations are now competing for the title of European Green Capital 2012 and 2013. Spain is the only nation with two entries: the other countries represented are France, Sweden, Iceland and Germany.

The cities trying to win the accolade of Europe’s greenest are as follows:

• France: Nantes
• Germany: Nuremberg
• Iceland: Reykjavik
• Spain: Barcelona, Vitoria-Gasteiz
• Sweden: Malmo

European Cities: Green Awards

All the European cities battling to win this prestigious green award are now being assessed by an environmental panel comprised of representatives of several different organisations, including the EC (European Commission), the European Environmental Bureau and the European Environmental Agency. 17 cities were initially under consideration, but these have now been condensed down to a final sextet.

Nantes, Nuremberg, Reykjavik, Barcelona, Vitoria-Gasteiz and Malmo have all been requested to submit data covering their present and anticipated future environmental situations. At the conclusion of the panel’s assessments, it will make recommendations to a jury, which will subsequently make an ultimate choice.

European Green Capital Awards

The European Green Capital Awards were established out of a key meeting that took place in 2006. The use of the word ‘capital’ in this sense does not refer to capital cities, since all cities within the EU, from countries currently applying for EU membership, or that form part of the EEA – European Economic Area – are eligible.

The panel’s assessments were initiated at the start of February, 2010, and will conclude towards the end of the year, with a ceremony set to take place in Stockholm, Sweden – the present Green Capital of Europe. Among the factors that are being looked into are the six cities’ performances in terms of:

• How they contribute to anti-climate change strategies
• How ‘green’ their transport networks are
• How sustainable their use of land is
• The level of air pollution present in them
• The level of noise pollution present
• How they treat and manage waste
• Their approach towards preserving nature and ensuring continued biodiversity

Enviro-News will present further coverage of the European Green Capital Awards as future facts emerge.