INFORMED CITIES FORUM 2011

The European Green Capital Award

26 – 27 October 2011Naples, Italy

Thea PieridouEuropean Commission, DG Environment

What is the European Green Capital Award?

4/5 Europeans live in towns and cities

Urban areas concentrate most of the environmental challenges facing our society but also bring together commitment and innovation to resolve them

Award recognises and rewards local efforts to improve the Award recognises and rewards local efforts to improve the environment, the economy and the quality of life in cities

Given each year to a city, not necessarily a capital, which is leading the way in environmentally friendly urban living and which can act as a role-model for other cities

What were the reasons for creating this award?

Tallinn, May 2006 – meeting of 15 European cities and the Association of Estonian cities with a green vision

Tallinn, Helsinki, Riga, Vilnius, Berlin, Warsaw, Madrid, Ljubljana, Prague, Vienna, Kiel, Kotka, Dartford, Tartu and Glasgow

Their vision was turned into a joint Memorandum proposing the establishment of an award rewarding cities that are leading the way in environmentally friendly urban living

Brussels, 22 May 2008 - The European Commission launched the European Green Capital Award

2010

Stockholm

2011

Hamburg

2012

Victoria-Gasteiz

2013

Nantes

Three key objectives

Reward cities that have a well-established record of achieving high environmental objectives,

Encourage cities to commit to ambitious future goals for Encourage cities to commit to ambitious future goals for further environmental improvement and sustainable development,

Provide a role model to inspire other cities and promote best practices and experiences across Europe, and beyond

Award's slogan

Green cities – fit for lifeGreen cities – fit for life

Hamburg – 2011 European Green Capital (1/2)

Major industrial centre, confronting all the environmental challenges that face other European cities

Proof that economic growth and environmental protection are not conflicting issues generating a good standard of living for inhabitants - This is what makes Hamburg a role model

Ambitious climate protection goals: reducing CO2 emissions by 40% by 2020 and by 80% by 2050. CO2 emissions have been reduced by 15% (1990-2006)

Excellent integrated waste management system: high levels of source separation of individual materials and energy recovery

Hamburg – 2011 European Green Capital (2/2)

Water consumption, metering and leakage: exceptionally low water-leakage rate of 4%

Public transport: 11 657km of bus routes and 10 426 stops. 99% of Hamburg's citizens have public transport within 300 meters of their home

Hamburg is green: over 16.8% of the urban area given over to forests, recreation and green spaces. Every week 1 million people use them for leisure and recreation. 89% of the population lives within 300m of a park

Current call for applications for the 2014 title

Cities with more than 200,000 inhabitants can compete for the Award

Criteria for evaluation: 12 indicators areas

"Plan, Do, Check and Act“ approach"Plan, Do, Check and Act“ approach

Expert Panel evaluates all applications

Jury takes the final decision

Award Ceremony in Vitoria-Gasteiz

Applicant Cities for the 2014 Award

Insert map with title

Is the EGCA worthwhile? What are the benefits brought by this title?

Prestigious award - being recognised as the greenest city in Europe

Advantageous side-effects:

big draw for tourism (esp. eco-tourism)

The title is a unique opportunity to foster a positive environment for potential companies in certain sectorsenvironment for potential companies in certain sectors

attracting companies, investment and young professionals who are highly qualified and looking for a high quality of life

Good internal learning exercise for the city. Past applicants are using the EGCA experience and evaluation results to improve their environmental performance

It can serve as a very useful external audit on how cities are doing compared to its peers

Thank you for your attention!