In this issue…
- News on the Green City Accord. Will your city be next?
- Applicant cities revealed: EGCA 2023 & EGLA 2022
- Europe’s green cities for 2021 take their positions
- Lahti European Green Capital 2021
- Gabrovo EGL 2021
- Lappeenranta EGL 2021
- News from European Green Capital and Green Leaf Network cities
News on the Green City Accord
The Green City Accord is a European Commission initiative to encourage city authorities to take further action to make their cities cleaner and healthier, and thereby improve the quality of life for their citizens. By signing the Accord, cities commit to addressing five environmental challenges: air, water, nature and biodiversity, circular economy and waste, and noise. In joining the Accord, Mayors agree to step up their efforts in these key areas and to achieve five goals by 2030.
Some previous European Green Capital Award winning cities, are amongst the signatories of the Green City Accord, including 2019 EGC Oslo and 2012 EGC Vitoria-Gasteiz.
To date 20 cities have signed with more in the pipeline and we are pleased to announce that among those, two more winners of the EGCA and EGLA have recently committed to signing the Green City Accord! Congratulations to Torres Vedras, European Green Leaf 2015, and the current European Green Capital for 2021, Lahti, for joining this movement of Mayors!
Will your city be the next to sign?
Applicant Cities Revealed
The new cycle of European green city awards has seen 30 cities from across Europe competing to become Europe’s next European Green Capital and European Green Leaf Award winners.
Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said: “More and more cities in Europe are choosing to go green. This is even more encouraging in the context of the European Green Deal roll out and recovery from the pandemic. European Green Capital and Green Leaf cities show that even in the most difficult circumstances, cities can become fit for life. This means more car-free zones, more public spaces for outdoor leisure activities, cycling paths and pedestrian zones, but also new, innovative urban solutions.”
European Green Capital 2023 Applicants
Map of EGCA 2023 Applicants:
A panel of twelve independent experts will now begin a technical assessment of each application to select a shortlist of finalist cities for both awards.
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony later this year in Lahti. The EGCA 2023 winning city will receive €600 000, while up to two EGLA 2022 winning towns/cities will receive €200 000 each to be used in projects / actions to enhance the city’s environmental sustainability and to achieve the city’s sustainability vision.
European Green Leaf 2022 Competition
Map of EGLA 2022 Applicants:
Lahti – European Green Capital 2021
In January 2021, the Finnish City of Lahti officially became the European Green Capital, taking over the green baton from Lisbon.
In fact, this year, for the first time in the history of the Awards, one country hosts both the European Green Capital and the European Green Leaf in the same year! Finland is home to both the European Green Capital, Lahti; and Lappeenranta, located around 150 km east of Lahti, the joint 2021 European Green Leaf winner (with Gabrovo, Bulgaria).
Opening Ceremony: 15 January 2021
Another first for the Awards took place on Friday 15 January 2021 when Lahti hosted the first ever virtual Handover and Opening Ceremony. During the ceremony Lahti impressed all, showcasing the city, its citizens, and its commitment to being the European Green Capital in 2021 and beyond. Despite being an online event, the event was dynamic and compelling. Almost a thousand viewers from across the world witnessed ice dancing and musical performances, including from local children singing about climate change. Young Lahti citizens discussed their vision and hopes for the future of environmental management.
The opening ceremony involved virtual speeches from esteemed speakers and distinguished guests including, the European Commissioner for Environment, Ocean and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, the President of the Republic of Finland, Sauli Niinistö and the Mayor of Lisbon, Fernando Medina.
"When it comes to protecting and enhancing nature & biodiversity, reducing municipal waste, & driving behavioural change, Lahti is ahead...You’re a great example, because you show that going green is possible, wherever you start"
Lahti Opening Ceremony speech, EU Commissioner for Environment, Ocean and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius
"I warmly congratulate the city & the people of Lahti for this Award. Your long-term work for the environment & climate is impressive... The Award is one important step on our path to a cleaner & more sustainable world"
President of the Republic of Finland, Sauli Niinistö
The Mayor of Lisbon, Fernando Medina, the European Green Capital for 2020, handed over the designation to Lahti. Lahti’s Mayor, Pekka Timonen, presided over the turning of the page of the European Green Capital Awards Green Book, signifying the start of Lahti’s EGCA year.
Following the Ceremony, Lahti held a week of activities celebrating the beginning of its European Green Capital year.
European Dialogue for Sustainable Cities – series of live discussions
European Green Capital 2021 Lahti is launching a brand-new dialogue series as part of its programme for the year.
The European Dialogue for Sustainable Cities will include, lively discussions from experts, researchers, companies, NGOs, and students, on European cities’ environmental solutions, new innovations, and cooperation models amid an ecological crisis and the coronavirus pandemic.
Each episode will also feature a European Green Capital Network (EGCN) guest of the month – each month a previous winner of the European Green Capital Award will join the panel and offer their insights into the topic of discussion.
The first episode of the dialogue series was streamed live on Lahti’s EGCA website and the city’s YouTube channel, on the 3 February at 14:00 (CET). Check out Lahti’s YouTube channel to watch the recording of the event.
The topic of the series premiere was Sustainable Urban Mobility!
Guests of the first episode included,
- Miguel Feliciano Gaspar, Deputy Mayor of Lisbon, the European Green Capital 2020, discussed the city’s mobility solutions.
- Finnish MEP Henna Virkkunen talked about how to invest in sustainable development in the EU’s economically challenging situation.
- Anna Huttunen, project manager of CitiCAP and LUT University assistant professor, Ville Uusitalo, told us about CitiCAP’s success as the world’s first personal emissions trading app.
- Lior Steinberg, an urban planner and co-founder of ‘Humankind’, spoke about accelerating the transition towards more humane and kind cities.
Lahti Pelicans – Making sustainability a ‘Goal’!
The Lahti Pelicans, a Finnish professional ice hockey team, play for the City of Lahti in Finland’s top professional ice hockey league. As proud competitors for the city, the Lahti Pelicans want to contribute to Lahti’s 2021 year as European Green Capital. The team is committed to making hockey more sustainable and aims to become the world’s first carbon-neutral ice hockey team.
Environmental actions on ice
To help celebrate Lahti’s year as the European Green Capital, on 16 January the team rolled out a new line of jerseys with new numbers for each player. These numbers highlight some of the facts and environmental stats behind why Lahti was awarded the title of European Green Capital 2021.
- 8: Miro-Pekka Saarelainen – Lahti aims to have at least 8% of its total area protected by 2030
- 9: Waltteri Merelä – Lahti’s waste recovery rate is 99%! Thanks to its circular economy
- 19: Ryan Lasch – Lahti became coal-free in 2019
- 20: Jonathan Tanus – Lahti aims to be a zero-waste city by 2050
- 25: Niclas Almari – Lahti will be climate-neutral by 2025
- 42: Otto Nieminen – 42% reduction in red meat in local school lunches since 2018
- 61: Casimir Jürgens – 61% of Lahti is forest
- 70: Jasper Patrikainen – Lahti has cut its greenhouse emissions by 70% since 1990
This innovative way to display and highlight Lahti’s environmental accolades, the Pelicans hope, will urge Lahti’s citizens to keep up their environmental best practices, and work together with the City of Lahti and the team, for the environment. The new jerseys will be seen in yet another special match in honour of Lahti’s European Green Capital year in 2021. The shirts will then be auctioned, and the proceeds will support the Pelicans junior activities.
Lahti launches world’s first urban ski sharing scheme
As part of its European Green Capital 2021 programme, Lahti has introduced a new initiative to encourage residents to reduce their carbon emissions. The city’s new ‘City Skis programme’ is part of a bigger city-wide push to reduce the city’s carbon footprint.
“City skis work on the same principle as a city bike: skis can be borrowed from the ski point and returned to the point after use,” says Saara Vauramo, programme director of the Lahti - European Environment Capital 2021 project.
To ensure this project adheres to Lahti’s environmental principles of circularity, all skis in the initiative are second-hand. With the addition of some new urban ski routes, residents of Lahti have 180 km of trails to play with!
Read more about the world’s first city skis here.
Welcome to our 2021 European Green Leaf Cities
The European Green Leaf 2021 winners Gabrovo and Lappeenranta stood out to the international Jury for their approach to environmental management, as well as their communications and engagement.
Gabrovo (Bulgaria)
As joint winner of the EGLA 2021 title, Gabrovo has put together a 12-month programme for its European Green Leaf year. Gabrovo started its year of events with a Plaque Unveiling Ceremony on 22 January 2021.
Mayor of Gabrovo, Tanya Hristova, unveiling Gabrovo’s EGLA 2021 Plaque, 22 January 2021
Dozens of events for citizens and visitors are planned in Gabrovo throughout this year, including Environmental Days, open days at the City’s Waste Management Unit, city-garden workshops and even a Day of Herbs! The City is implementing a photography competition for citizens, and an environmental competition for students too.
Gabrovo’s EGLA 2021 programme will focus on key environmental topic areas, including nature and biodiversity, waste, mobility, and air quality.
Gabrovo is also making positive long-term changes this year with the installation of an air quality monitoring system throughout the city; and modernising household water supply systems for over 20 communities.
Lappeenranta (Finland)
Lappeenranta held a virtual EGLA 2021 Opening Ceremony on New Year’s Eve (NYE), 31 December 2020. The event included, unveiling Lappeenranta’s EGLA 2021 plaque and the city’s new green wall, a sneak peek of the City's EGLA plans for 2021, and a NYE light show.
Lappeenranta Opening Ceremony & NYE light show, 31 December 2020
In its EGLA year, Lappeenranta is committed to working closely with citizens and students, acting as a positive role model, and demonstrating leadership and commitment. The City wants to create spaces and events for its citizens to enjoy and share, including a new nature trail. Events planned for the summer include a Green Electrification Congress in May / June and a Green reality Carnival in August.
Lappeenranta has set up its ‘Green reality Network’ – a network of energy and environmental sector companies aiming to create green business opportunities and growth for its members and the local area.
News from other Green Cities
Mechelen EGL 2020
The City of Mechelen, joint European Green Leaf 2020 with Limerick, has signed the Manifesto for Climate Action as part of Take Action Global’s Climate Action Project. Cities that sign the manifesto promise to reduce emissions, educate young citizens, and compensate by offsetting emissions.
Mayor Alexander Vandermissen and Deputy Mayor Marina De Bie, responsible for climate, energy and sustainable development, City of Mechelen, the joint EGLA 2020, signs the Manifesto for Climate Action
Largest ever attendance at virtual EGC and EGL Networks meeting
75 city representatives attended the virtual joint meeting of the European
Green Capital and European Green Leaf Networks on 3 February 2021.
The EGC and EGL Networks (EGCN and EGLN) comprise all winning and previous finalist cities for both competitions. At this latest meeting city representatives discussed how they are making environmental improvements, while also addressing the challenging COVID pandemic.
The EU Commission updated the meeting on the European Green Deal, Green City Accord, the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the upcoming Green Week in May 2021, and the EU Climate Pact. The way forward of the Green City Tool was also discussed, along with looking ahead to future activities and plans for both Networks.
The City of Lahti, EGC 2021, shared its programme for the year including the European Dialogue for Sustainable Cities series; while the incoming EGC 2022, Grenoble, presented early insights into its plans for next year.
The key take away message from the meeting was the important role of both Networks in sharing knowledge, experience, and best practice towards implementing the green agenda and to deliver on objectives of the Green Deal ‘on the ground’. A cornerstone in the approach will be to focus on supporting implementation of European policy and legislation on the ground, by better connecting the dots between the policies and working with the cities.
