Valencia is Europe's Green Capital for 2024
Valencia - Image Pixabay
(VALENCIA) - The Spanish city of Valencia became the European Green Capital for 2024 on Thursday, taking over from Estonia's capital city Tallinn at the official opening ceremony in the city.
Valencia earned the title "because of its ambitious sustainability strategy, and it has learned from lessons in the past.," said Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius: "This year will enhance the experiences of citizens and support them even more in delivering the change we all need achieve for a better future."
The award is also due to current achievements in the field of sustainable tourism, climate neutrality, as well as fair and inclusive green transition.
Valencia effectively combines responses to environmental challenges with societal ones. 97% of city's inhabitants live within 300 metres of green urban areas. The city has also shown a proven commitment to improving air quality and restoring nature ecosystems, such as the Devesa dune and wetland ecosystems. Valencia also stimulates a healthier, sustainable, and inclusive food production through its 'Neighbourhood and Food Programme'.
Over 300 activities and events will reach all sectors of the city – from specialised audiences in sustainability, production, and business, to the residents of Valencia.
The European Green Capital Award encourages cities to become greener and cleaner, and to improve the quality of life for their inhabitants. Around 75% of Europe's population lives in cities and urban areas. Many cities play a leading role in managing the societal changes needed in the protection of the environment.
The European Green Capital Award is bestowed to cities above 100,000 inhabitants. Since 2010, the European Commission awarded the title to: Vilnius (2025), Valencia (2024), Tallinn (2023), Grenoble (2022), Lahti (2021), Lisbon (2020), Oslo (2019), Nijmegen (2018), Essen (2017), Ljubljana (2016), Bristol (2015), Copenhagen (2014), Nantes (2013), Vitoria-Gasteiz (2012), Hamburg (2011) and Stockholm (2010).
In 2015, the European Green Leaf title was introduced for smaller cities starting from 20,000 and below 100,000 inhabitants, with seventeen Green Leaf winners so far. The 2024 titles went to the Slovenian city, Velenje, and Treviso in Italy.
The call for applications for the next cycle of awards is now open until 30 April 2024.