European Commission launches the European Green Capital Award

22 May 2008 – International Biodiversity Day

The European Green Capital Award initiative was officially launched today in Brussels by the European Commission. The initiative underscores the Commission’s commitment to reduce the burden European cities impose on the environment and improve living conditions for citizens.

The EU Commissioner for the Environment Stavros Dimas signed a Declaration establishing the award scheme together with Paddy Bourke, the Lord Mayor of Dublin and President of the Union of Capital Cities of the European Union, and Mr Gino Van Begin, Regional Director for Europe of ICLEI. Also present was Mr Jari Ratas, former Mayor of Tallinn and current Vice-President of the Estonian Parliament, who laid the ground for the award in May 2006, along with other mayors.

Starting in 2010, one European city will be selected as the European Green Capital of the year. The award will be given to a city that:

• Has a consistent record of achieving high environmental standards;
• Is committed to ongoing and ambitious goals for further environmental improvement and sustainable development;
• Can act as a role model to inspire other cities and promote best practices to all other European cities.

The award marks a city’s wish and capability to solve environmental problems in order to both improve the quality of life of its citizens and reduce the burden it imposes on the global environment as a whole.

The event also marked the launch of the official website, and cities may now apply via an online application form to be selected as the European Green Capital for 2010 and 2011. Any European city with a population of more than 200,000 can apply, and a jury will select the winning cities for 2010 and 2011 later on this year. The award is intended to help European cities become more attractive and healthy places “fit for life”.