The greenest city in Europe is Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. This was decided by the European Green Capital 2023 award. The award is an initiative of the European Commission and aims to recognise and reward local efforts to improve the environment, the economy and the quality of life in cities.
The award is given every year to a city that is at the forefront of environmentally friendly urban living.
It is, of course, an initiative intended to ‘spur cities on to take further action and to showcase and encourage the exchange of best practices among European cities.’
What requirements must a city meet in order to take part in the European Green Capital Award?
- Applicant cities from EU Member States and EEA countries.
- Applicant cities from the countries listed above that have more than 100,000 inhabitants.
- In countries where there is no city with more than 100,000 inhabitants, the largest city may apply.
- ‘City’ means an urban area, including metropolitan areas (excluding conurbations), and must comprise an administrative unit governed by a city council or another form of democratically elected body.
- Each year, cities may apply for the European Green Capital Award or the European Green Leaf Award, but not both at the same time.
- Past winners of the European Green Capital title may not apply.
- The signatory should be the Mayor or the highest-ranking representative of the city, authorised by national law to legally represent the city.
