European Green Capital Award to promote and reward efforts to improve the environment

Commission recognizes local efforts

The European Commission has long recognized the important role that local authorities play in improving the environment, and their high level of commitment to genuine progress. The European Green Capital Award has been conceived as an initiative to promote and reward these efforts.

Cities striving for environmental improvement

Starting in 2010, one European city will be selected each year as the European Green Capital of the year. The award is 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.

Improving the global environment

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 contribution it makes to the global environment as a whole.

European Green Capitals

After two application rounds, the first winners of the European Green Capital Award have been selected and announced. The European Green Capitals are:

• 2010: Stockholm
• 2011: Hamburg
• 2012: Vitoria-Gasteiz
• 2013: Nantes

2011: Hamburg “Visions for the City of the Future“

Under the umbrella of “Visions for the City of the Future“, Hamburg will highlight the numerous sustainable environmental policies and projects comprising the Green Capital year. Some of the planst hat Hamburg has include:

• “The whole city joins in!”
  Hamburg seeks green answers to metropolitan challenges and, has innovative ideas on how to share experience and best practice as the European Green Capital of 2011. Actors to participate in the Green Capital year include ministries, districts and public companies, business chambers, educational and research institutions, associations and foundations. Hamburg’s citizens are invited to participate and offer their own ideas, criticism and suggestions for improvement.
• Environmental Tours
  Environmental tours offer local information for environmental projects in and around Hamburg’s metropolitan region. Additionally, partners and organizations are invited to feature their own tours and projects, adding to Hamburg's broad range of outstanding environmental projects. The city will host its own environmental tours, inviting visitors to experience first-hand what makes Hamburg a European Green Capital and where there is still room for improvement.
• Infopavilion and de-centralized Infopoints
  An infopavilion located downtown will be the central meeting point for all 2011 activities. Both visitors and citizens alike may receive an overview of the city’s goals, plans and visions for European Green Capital 2011.