Winners of 2027 European Green Cities Awards Announced
These awards recognize cities for “local action towards a transition to a greener, more sustainable future” as explained on their official website. There are three criteria to meet to be considered for the award: 1) consistently achieving high environmental standards with public recognition, 2) maintains aspiring goals for environmental improvement and sustainable development, and 3) acts as a role model while promoting practices to other cities. These awards are selected by a jury, composed of representatives from the Commission, the European Committee of the Regions, the European Environment Agency (EEA), the EU Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB).
Heilbronn achieved their win based on the city's top scores in air quality, water, noise, climate change adaptation and the circular economy. Their ‘Landscape Plan 2030’ and the ‘Mobility Concept’ integrated plans for noise, climate and air pollution. Heilbronn’s goals for 2035 as well as the regional collaborations they have built to improve air quality and noise reduction, helped them secure the award.
The Green Leaf Award winners, Assen and Siena, have strong approaches to engage their communities in the green transition, which impressed the jury. Assen has demonstrated a strong commitment to circularity and climate change mitigation. Innovative waste management practices Assen has implemented display success in reducing residual waste and promoting material recovery. They have also reduced CO2 emissions significantly, with continued ongoing projects. Siena has exemplified increased total green areas and sustainable land use, as well as effective waste management systems. They have achieved an average of 28m2 of public green spaces per capita. Additionally, 61.4 % of its municipal waste has been recycled, and landfill reduced to only 1 %. In the city, public engagement programs promote reuse, repair, and circular economy practices.
By Dalia Madanick (Intern EU-Umweltbüro)