The European Green Capital Award is distinguishing a city for its outstanding environmentally-friendly urban living, reports BYM Product and Industry News.
It is a mark of excellence for cities cherishing their environment and this is the successive eighth year of the competition.
The following cities have submitted entries to the European Green Capital 2017.
Bursa (Turkey), Cascais (Portugal), Cork (Ireland), Essen (Germany), ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Netherlands), Istanbul (Turkey), Lahti (Finland), Lisbon (Portugal), Nijmegen (Netherlands, ) Pécs (Hungary), Porto (Portugal) and Umeå (Sweden).
These cities pioneered and set higher standards in sustainable urban development, according to their citizens needs developing innovative solutions for environmental challenges.
It is gratifying to see many of Europe’s great cities applying and indeed re-applying for the Award. The winners to date have provided inspiring examples of how cities can change, pointed out, Janez Potočnik, environment commissioner, EU.
An international Expert Panel will check in detail the technical assessment on the basis of indicators like covering ambient air quality; climate change, mitigation and adaptation; eco-innovation and sustainable employment; energy performance; green urban areas incorporating sustainable land use; integrated environmental management; local transport; nature and biodiversity; quality of the acoustic environment; waste production and management; wastewater treatment; and water management.
In June 2015, the shortlisted cities will have to make a presentation to an international Jury, who will evaluate their environmental improvement, the level of ambition of their future goals, their communication activities for citizens, and the extent to which they could act as a role model and promote best practice in other European cities.
In addition, the winning city will raise its profile, enhance its reputation as a place to visit, work, play and live.
At an Award ceremony in June 2015 in Bristol, the 2015 European Green Capital, the winner will be announced.
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The European Green Capital Award concept was conceived at a meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, held on 15 May 2006, on the initiative of Mr Jüri Ratas, former Mayor of Tallinn, where 15 European cities and the Association of Estonian cities joined for such an award.
Since its inception in 2010, seven cities have been awarded the title of European Green Capital.
Stockholm, Sweden won the inaugural title, followed by Hamburg, Germany in 2011, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain in 2012 and Nantes, France in 2013.
The current holder for 2014 is Copenhagen, Denmark. Bristol, UK will hold the title for 2015 and will pass it to Ljubljana, Slovenia for 2016.
The Jury comprises representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Committee of the Regions, the European Environment Agency, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, the Covenant of Mayors Office and the European Environmental Bureau.
Sabeena Wahid
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