Ezine No. 31 - July 2019
In this issue
- Leading light Lahti a northern star for cities worldwide: Lahti wins European Green Capital Award
- Welcome to our European Green Leaf cities Limerick and Mechelen
- Countdown to 14 October – deadline for entering #EGCA2022 and #EGLA2021 – Will your city follow Lahti, Limerick and Mechelen?
- All aboard! Discover Green Capital 2018 Nijmegen: DiscoverEU Meet-Up for young people
- The American Revolution: red, white and blue going green – early-mover U.S. city delegations visit European Green Capitals Oslo (2019) and Nijmegen (2018)
- Historic port city and European Green Capital Lisbon launches innovative 2020 plan on European Maritime Day
- Let’s make a match and fall in "city love" - Speed-dating session for Cities – 8 October 2019, Brussels, during #EURegionsWeek
- Latest News from EGC 2019, Oslo: including Oslo, wild at heart
- Latest News from EGC 2020, Lisbon: watershed for urban water recycling
- Latest News from joint EGLA 2019 winners, Cornellà de Llobregat & Horst aan de Maas
- Key Dates for your Calendar
Leading light Lahti a northern star for cities worldwide:
Lahti wins the European Green Capital Award!
Congratulations to the Finnish city of Lahti, who will be the 2021 European Green Capital. On 20 June, Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, announced Lahti as the winner at a spectacular and exciting awards ceremony in Oslo, the current European Green Capital 2019. Lahti also received €350,000 from the European Commission to help kick-start its European Green Capital year of activities.
Lahti mayor Pekka Timonen and the city delegation receiving their award from Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
Photo: Kilian Munch
It was Lahti’s third year in a row being a finalist for the green capital award and the city was joined by two other finalists: Lille and Strasbourg from France! All finalists presented to an international jury in Oslo to demonstrate their overall commitment to sustainable urban development, their capacity to act as a role model to other cities, and their strategy for communicating and engaging with their citizens.
Accepting the awards, Mayor of Lahti, Mr Pekka Timonen said: “We believe we will be a great European Green Capital. We will be carbon neutral by 2025 - and it’s not a plan, it’s a reality. [For] next winter, we have cut our CO2 emissions by 70% so we are almost there already. This year we will also be the world’s first city to start personal carbon-trading for our citizens. They trade with their mobile phones and earn financial benefits by reducing their CO2 emissions. That’s action, that’s what we do.”
The sound of sustainability: “world’s first carbon-neutral symphony orchestra”
Photo: Lassi Hakkinen/Lahden Kaupunki
“You need examples, you need guidance, you need people who inspire others. We have the world’s first carbon-neutral symphony orchestra and the world’s first carbon-free professional sports’ club.”
Pioneering Pelicans: striving to be the world’s first professional ice hockey club
Photo: City of Lahti
“Sustainable cities are simply better cities. They are an inspiration for everyone, they are the cities that we all want to live in, so this is what all the cities must do. It’s as simple as that.”
The awarding of the 2021 European Green Capital Award to Lahti was a unanimous decision by the international Jury. Lahti performed strongly across all the environmental indicators, particularly regarding air quality, waste, green growth and eco-innovation, as well as governance. As a pioneer in air quality, the city set out an air quality plan in 1997, which has led to a major drop in emissions since. Its engagement with local businesses in air quality monitoring, and additional air quality regulations the city itself established, particularly impressed the jury. Ultimately, showing its capacity to inspire other cities to start their own journey towards becoming "fit for life."
The Jury for the European Green Capital 2021 and European Green Leaf 2020 Awards said that green cities are healthier and happier places for people to grow, live and work in, and for visitors too. It said that all finalists showed that the green transition is affordable for all and results in more socially inclusive and connected cities. They also demonstrated that the behavioural changes required to be a sustainable city are becoming the norm for their citizens, businesses and decision makers. The winning cities are eager to demonstrate to all cities in Europe, frontrunners or not, that they can achieve meaningful and measurable progress in their journey towards sustainable development.
Follow Lahti’s journey to becoming European Green Capital 2021 here.
Welcome to our new European Green Leaf cities 2020:
Limerick and Mechelen
There were two winners of the European Green Leaf Award for 2020: Limerick in Ireland and Mechelen in Belgium. Both cities received €75,000 from the European Commission to support their environmental programmes for the year.
Limerick delegation receiving its award from Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
Photo: Kilian Munch
Mechelen delegation receiving its award from Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
Photo: Kilian Munch
Limerick and Mechelen presented to the international jury in Oslo on 19 June, along with Finnish finalist Lappeenranta. These three finalists were shortlisted from 12 applicant cities across Europe.
Limerick was commended for its ongoing investments leading to improvements in air quality and noise levels in the city. The jury was particularly impressed by the city’s current transformation into Ireland’s first digital city, integrating several public services, creating smart homes and buildings, energy districts and smart neighbourhoods. Read more here.
Mechelen was recognised for its dedication to sustainable urban mobility, nature, biodiversity, sustainable land use, and waste and circular economy. The jury was particularly impressed by how closely involved citizens were in the creation and achievement of the city’s environmental goals. Mechelen was also a finalist in last year’s competition. Read more here.
Countdown to 14 October 2019 – deadline for entering #EGCA2022 and #EGLA2021 – Will your city follow Lahti, Limerick and Mechelen?
Does your city have what it takes to be the next European Green Capital or European Green Leaf Award winner? The search is now on to find the 2022 European Green Capital and 2021 European Green Leaf Award winning cities.
The European Green Capital Award (EGCA), now in its 13th year, is awarded annually to a European city with over 100,000 inhabitants that has shown itself to be a leader in environmental, social and economic sustainability. The winner of the 2022 Award will receive €350,000 to kick-start its year as a European Green Capital.
The European Green Leaf Award (EGLA) is open to towns and cities with between 20,000 to 100,000 inhabitants, to recognise and promote their efforts towards better environmental management and outcomes. The winner of the 2021 Award will receive €75,000 to support its activities throughout its European Green Leaf year.
Benefits of winning & applying for the awards!
Being a European Green Capital or a European Green Leaf brings many benefits including, a greater focus on environmental projects, increased tourism and foreign investment, boosting the local economy and helping to create employment. EGCA and EGLA winners and finalist cities also gain access to the exclusive European Green Capital Network and European Green Leaf Network, respectively, providing them with support and a platform for sharing knowledge and best practice.
Everybody gains from entering the Awards, not just the winners. Previous applicants have reported that the application process itself has proved beneficial in evaluating their city’s progress and bench-marking themselves against their peers across Europe.
For details on how to enter, including eligibility criteria and key dates, visit our competition portal.
All aboard! Discover Green Capital 2018 Nijmegen:
DiscoverEU Meet-up for young people
On 12 and 13 July, #DiscoverEU travellers headed to Nijmegen, EGCA winner 2018, to participate in the first official "green city meet-up." Nijmegen is the oldest city in the Netherlands, but with a young vibe. Nijmegen is also known as the cycling capital of the Netherlands, an added attraction for young people and a form of transport that goes well with longer distance travel by train.
DiscoverEU is an initiative of the European Union giving young people the opportunity to travel around Europe. By travelling sustainably by rail, these youngsters can discover Europe's stunning natural landscapes and its endless variety of cities and towns.
Some of the benefits to cities of being a European Green Capital or a European Green Leaf include an increased focus on environmental projects as well as tourism. The DiscoverEU initiative is encouraging its young rail travellers to follow the DiscoverEU "Green Route" of European Green Capitals and European Green Leaf cities for this year’s edition. Step aboard the DiscoverEU Green Route inter-rail experience and discover more here. Why not try Oslo, Lisbon and Lahti next?
The American Revolution: red, white and blue going green - early-mover U.S. city delegations visit European Green Capitals Oslo (2019) and Nijmegen (2018)
The European Green Capital Award is going global! In June 2019, delegations from 11 early-mover U.S. cities visited European Green Capitals Oslo (2019), Nijmegen (2018) and also Antwerp, Amsterdam and Brussels, to share insights on what European green city champions are doing to make their cities resilient for the global challenges that lie ahead.
Globally, we are faced with enormous environmental challenges. Climate change, over-consumption, plastic waste and biodiversity loss are major threats to our cities and our future.
The European Union is a global front-runner in sustainability and climate policies and has shown its commitment to implement the Paris Agreement and the fight against climate change by mainstreaming spending of at least 25% on climate action across all EU programmes. In the proposal for a new LIFE programme for 2021-2027, theEuropean Commission intends to allocate €5.450 billion to projects supporting the environment and climate action. This is an increase of €1.950 billion.
Ultimately, the Commission wants to help support the transition to sustainable, green cities, and make sure that this transition happens as quickly as possible. And it can’t happen fast enough, because also according to a recent survey, European citizens are concerned: “Europeans are increasingly concerned about the state of the natural world. 96 % of the more than 27,000 interviewed citizens said that we have a responsibility to protect nature and that this is also essential for tackling climate change. The vast majority of citizens - 91% - also totally agree that biodiversity is indispensable for the production of food, fuel and medicines, and 92% consider that biodiversity and healthy nature are important for long-term economic development."
The U.S. delegation included visitors from across the country, east and west, north and south, coming from Providence, Rhode Island on the Atlantic coast and from Portland, Oregon on the Pacific. Other members of the delegation came from Nashville, Tennessee; Richmond, Virginia; Washington DC; Fremont, California; Cincinnati, Ohio; Phoenix, Arizona; the state of Minnesota and Colorado cities Aspen and Fort Collins.
During their visit to Europe, the U.S. delegation members attended the European Green Capital and European Green Leaf Awards’ ceremony in Oslo on 20 June.
There, Mr Karmenu Vella, EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in welcoming the U.S. visitors said that: “they have come to learn from green champions like Oslo and Nijmegen, but I am sure that we will be listening very carefully to their experiences as well. This is a very big step for all of us - I think it’s the first time that the Green Capital is really going global - a sign of greater things, yet to come.”
Historic port city and European Green Capital Lisbon launches innovative 2020 programme on European Maritime Day
The Mayor of Lisbon, Mr Fernando Medina, launched the city’s plan for its European Green Capital year at an event during European Maritime Day in May. Lisbon’s vision for green leadership will be realised in a packed 2020 programme that will kick off many concrete actions for environmental sustainability. Lisbon will have a major emphasis on using the platform of its European Green Capital year to mark it out as one of the strongest responders to climate change. The comprehensive programme for the year plans to mobilise citizens to participate in Lisbon’s sustainability voyage. The city will lead and focus on measures ranging from green infrastructure to a broad mix of thematic, visual and sensory exhibitions - exploring the themes of climate change, energy, water, nature, biodiversity, waste, and as you could expect: oceans!
For more on the type of cutting-edge initiatives to expect from Lisbon in 2020, read on below to the cities’ latest news sections.
Mayor Fernando Medina launched Lisbon’s planned programme for its European Green Capital year in 2020
Photo: City of Lisbon
#UFGC19: Lisbon’s “Alone we can go fast – together we can go further” message communicated at UFGC in Oslo in May
Photo: EU Green Capital Secretariat
Follow Lisbon’s journey as European Green Capital 2020 on its official Twitter account @camaralisboa or see for more information see here.
Let’s make a match and fall in "city-love"
Speed-dating session for Cities – 8 October 2019, Brussels, during #EURegionsWeek
Have you ever felt alone, desperate in wanting to make your city a better, greener place to live and work? Looking for inspiration which could match YOUR needs? Search no more! Make your way to this "speed-dating session for cities" on 8 October and make new city friends to realise your city’s dreams!
The European Commission’s Directorate General for Environment brings you this inspiring opportunity during #EURegionsWeek – where you can learn from the best of the best about a range of environmental topics such as mitigation or adaptation to climate change, waste management, sustainable urban mobility or urban governance.
Cities, find your “green city love” at speed-dating for cities event, Brussels, 8 October 2019
European Green Capital winning cities will share with you how they managed the sustainability transition and how you can do the same.
Register here by 27 September 2019!
Latest news from #EGCA2019, Oslo
Oslo, wild at heart
As the European Green Capital this year, Oslo is working to increase citizens’ awareness of the importance of its rich biodiversity. Not many know that Oslo is the municipality in Norway with the most registered species. As the “biodiversity capital” of Norway, almost 15,000 registered species can be found in Oslo. However, the city’s biodiversity is still under threat and organisations, individuals and the city government all need to contribute in taking care of this valuable resource. That’s why the City of Oslo, together with a range of civil society partners, organised the city’s first “Biodiversity Week” in June.
Oslo: raising citizens' awareness of biodiversity
Photo: City of Oslo
Among the events that took place throughout the week were guided tours along Oslo’s waterways; trips to the biodiversity-rich islands in the Oslo fjord; seminars on the “city trees” and on how biodiversity must be taken into account in city planning; and the launch of a podcast series about Oslo’s biodiversity. More than 35 different events during “Biodiversity Week” made sure thousands of citizens gained knowledge and inspiration to take care of this precious resource.
Swans and other wild birds have made this restored waterway in Oslo their home again
Photo: EU Green Capital Secretariat
The city also organised an outdoor screening of the documentary “Oslo’s wild heart” in one of Oslo’s urban gardens. The key message from the film summarised the message from Oslo’s Biodiversity week: “Open your eyes” - get outdoors and discover the wildlife that exists right outside your door!
Outdoor screening of the documentary "Oslo's wild heart"
Photo: City of Oslo
2,600 City Changers gather in Oslo for Urban Futures Global Conference 2019
From 22 to 24 May, 300 speakers and nearly 2,600 participants from all over the world gathered in Oslo for an amazing three days in the European Green Capital 2019. Through 85 sessions, 36 field trips and 20 side events, city officials, experts and urban innovation “ninjas” shared their personal stories, experiences and even failures. The event was co-organised with FutureBuilt, an innovative project that supports climate-friendly urban development in the Oslo region.
#UFGC19: 300 speakers and nearly 2,600 participants from all over the world gathered in Oslo
Photo: City of Oslo
#UFGC19: European Green Capital Award & European Green Leaf Secretariat exhibited – global reach
Photo: EU Green Capital Secretariat
Shaking up the city
Urban Mobility, Built Environment & Architecture, Leadership and Green Business & Innovation were the thematic areas for the conference. But the conference did not all happen behind closed doors. During the 36 field trips and 20 side events attendees, explored and experienced first-hand what made Oslo a European Green Capital Award winner. Attendees swam in the Oslo Fjord, heating up in the floating saunas made from recycled materials. They went rowing to experience the harbour’s architectural changes; visited construction sites of iconic landmarks like the Munch Museum and the new national museum, both nearing completion; discovered the joys of cycling in Oslo’s car-free streets; and went hiking in nearby forests.
Discovering the joys of cycling in Oslo’s car-free streets
Photo: City of Oslo
Delegates had plenty of great things to say about their days at the Urban Future Global Conference and 72% of them rated the conference as “amazing.” Other comments included that “UFGC in Oslo was easily among the top 3 conferences in my entire life;” “Extraordinary audience;” and “I was both inspired and energised.”
Latest News from #EGCA2020 Lisbon
Watershed in urban water recycling – first place for Lisbon
With five million tourists visiting each year -that’s nine times its own population, Lisbon has a large demand for clean water. Lisbon also prides itself on being efficient in its use of water. Lisbon’s year as European Green Capital will begin in January 2020, but this month on 8 July, it has already turned the tap on the first urban recycling network. Another first place for Lisbon!
High-quality, treated waste water will be used for irrigation and street-washing, saving valuable potable or drinking water resources in Lisbon
Photos: City of Lisbon
#EGLA2019 Cornellà de Llobregat celebrates World Environment Day!
This year, 5 June marked World Environment Day, an international event to promote global awareness and action for improving the environmental condition of our planet. This year, celebrating the World Environment Day was especially important to Cornellà as one of the 2019 European Green Leaf cities. It held three guided tours to explain the city’s solutions and environmental services and identify “Ecopoints” in Cornellà.
The Ecopoints are geolocated environmental initiatives that can be found on the Ecopunts Gaia platform that includes a website and a mobile app, created to identify and geolocate environmental initiatives in the province of Barcelona. The platform encourages citizens to participate in the city’s environmental journey, by enabling them to locate points considered of environmental interest by the population. It is also intended that citizens look to the app as a reference point to find environmental points already available on maps.
The Ecopoints are classified in eight categories: water, energy, mobility, waste, natural heritage, shops and services, environmental education and sustainable businesses. Each includes the geolocation, photo and description, which can be agreed with other participants. The platform was developed by the Barcelona Metropolitan Area and Barcelona Province government.
The Ecopoints are geolocated environmental initiatives that can be found on the Ecopunts Gaia platform that includes a website and a mobile app, created to identify and geolocate environmental initiatives in the province of Barcelona. The platform encourages citizens to participate in the city’s environmental journey, by enabling them to locate points considered of environmental interest by the population. It is also intended that citizens look to the app as a reference point to find environmental points already available on maps.
The Ecopoints are classified in eight categories: water, energy, mobility, waste, natural heritage, shops and services, environmental education and sustainable businesses. Each includes the geolocation, photo and description, which can be agreed with other participants. The platform was developed by the Barcelona Metropolitan Area and Barcelona Province government.
Ecopunts Gaia platform or app encourages citizens to participate in Cornellà’s environmental journey, by enabling them to locate points considered of interest by local citizens
Photo: City of Cornellà de Llobregat
Latest news from #EGLA2019 Horst aan de Maas
“Bike to work day”
Horst aan de Maas officially took part in national “Bike to work day” for the first time on 23 May 2019. The idea behind the day is to encourage more people to see cycling as an easy and accessible way to get to work.
In the lead up to the “Bike to work day” and on the day itself, the city promoted the bicycle as a healthy and sustainable option for commuting to work. Citizens were encouraged to leave their cars at home and use their bikes, even for just for one day. People who took up the challenge and cycled to work were rewarded with a healthy drink and sandwich to kick-start their day.
In the lead up to the “Bike to work day” and on the day itself, the city promoted the bicycle as a healthy and sustainable option for commuting to work. Citizens were encouraged to leave their cars at home and use their bikes, even for just for one day. People who took up the challenge and cycled to work were rewarded with a healthy drink and sandwich to kick-start their day.
"Bike to work day"
Photos: City of Horst aan de Maas
Horst interviewed citizens who use their bike regularly for commuting to work and shared the interviews across social media to inspire more citizens to join in with national “Bike to work day” and start using their bikes more, instead of cars.
International Kids Climate Conference – Horst aan de Maas 20 to 22 September 2019
Horst is delighted to host an international Kids Climate Conference, together with the World Wildlife Fund and Center Parcs this year, from 20 to 22 September 2019.
During the Kids Climate Conference (KCC), a select group of 150 primary school students from all over the Netherlands and Flanders, Belgium will work together to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy and sustainable living environment. The city will organise workshops (together with companies and non-governmental organisations that make a difference in the agri-food & climate sector) where the team will challenge the children to come up with smart solutions and creative ideas on different topics within agriculture, food and climate. The weekend’s results will be made publicly available and will be offered to both the Dutch and Belgian governments; and the European Commission.
The KCC message fits very well within Horst aan de Maas’ European Green Leaf year aims. By hosting the KCC, Horst also reflects the growing involvement by children, internationally, in highlighting and addressing environmental issues.
During the Kids Climate Conference (KCC), a select group of 150 primary school students from all over the Netherlands and Flanders, Belgium will work together to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy and sustainable living environment. The city will organise workshops (together with companies and non-governmental organisations that make a difference in the agri-food & climate sector) where the team will challenge the children to come up with smart solutions and creative ideas on different topics within agriculture, food and climate. The weekend’s results will be made publicly available and will be offered to both the Dutch and Belgian governments; and the European Commission.
The KCC message fits very well within Horst aan de Maas’ European Green Leaf year aims. By hosting the KCC, Horst also reflects the growing involvement by children, internationally, in highlighting and addressing environmental issues.
Key dates for your calendar!
There are many events coming up over the next few months. Be sure to pencil them into your calendar to make sure you don’t miss out!
- Call for experts - coming soon! Call for experts to apply for membership of the European Green Capital 2022 and European Green Leaf 2021 awards Expert Panel - Follow European Green Capital Secretariat social media for updates
- 20 to 22 September 2019 – Kids Climate Conference, Horst aan de Maas (European Green Leaf 2019) Register here
- 8 October 2019 – Speed-dating session for Cities, at European Week of Regions and Cities, The Square, Brussels - learn from the best for your #EGCA2022 and #EGLA2021 applications, during #EURegionsWeek! Programme out now - register by 27 September 2019 here
- 14 October 2019 - Closing date for entering #EGCA2022 and #EGLA2021competitions - register your interest or apply here
- 20 to 22 November 2019 – EUROCITIES Annual Conference, Prague, Czech Republic
