Green cities – fit for life

WILL YOUR CITY BE THE EUROPEAN GREEN CAPITAL

IN 2018?

©Chris Bahn

Bristol’s Enterprise Zone

FOREWORD

The European Green Capital Award celebrates good planning for good urban living. Two thirds of Europeans live in towns and cities. That is 333 million people. Every

day, new innovative ways are being created to make urban living greener. The European Green Capital Award, now in its ninth year, pays tribute to those cities where innovation has taken hold. A high profile for these trailblazers will inspire more effort to make European urban spaces not just sustainable but enjoyable places to live.

As the European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, I have been astonished by the sheer variety of efforts made by cities across the EU to become more sustainable.

Our first winner, Stockholm, set the standard. Hamburg carried on that journey, literally, launching a “Train of Ideas” with carriages representing different aspects of life in a green city. In Vitoria-Gasteiz, each resident lives within 300 metres of an open green space, while Nantes showed its credentials by becoming the first city in France to successfully re-introduce electric tramways. Copenhagen is well on track to becoming the world’s most practical city for cyclists.

Bristol, our 2015 winner, is inviting Europeans to celebrate the creation of healthier, happier cities, and in 2016, Ljubljana’s many achievements – including the planting of more than 2,000 trees, five new parks and the revitalisation of the banks of the River Sava – will take centre stage.

Each of these winners has shown that natural diversity is also a source of inspiration. It is part of our cultural heritage. Everyone who lives in an urban area should have a stake in how that area develops. By sharing the extraordinary ideas of these Award winners, cities can become green and beautiful places to live.

And good urban living should not be restricted to big cities and towns. That is why we are introducing the new European Green Leaf Competition. The title will go to cities with a population between 50,000 and 100,000 inhabitants – to smaller cities that are taking great strides for environmental protection. Almost 1,000 European cities are now eligible to participate in these competitions, and I would like to encourage every eligible city to apply for these worthwhile initiatives.

Think of our whole strategy as being like a tree. The Green Leaves are the smaller cities and towns, the branches are the Green Capitals and bigger cities and the trunk is the European Commission providing a solid base from which we can grow these initiatives.

We look forward to receiving an application from your town or city in the coming months. Remember, everyone who lives in an urban community should have a stake.

Thank you.

Karmenu VellaEuropean Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

The race for the 2018 European Green Capital title has begun! Clean air, good waste management, high recycling rates, water conservation measures, parks, pollution-free environments, high quality urban living and sustainable ideas are all aspects of what makes a European Green Capital “Fit for life”. Each year a European city is appointed European Green Capital by a panel of environmental experts and a Jury.

The Award is given to a European city which demonstrates a well-established record of achieving high environmental standards and commits to ongoing and ambitious goals for future environmental improvement and sustainable development. The European Green Capital also acts as a role model to inspire and promote best practices to other European cities.

The race for environmental recognition The idea for a European Green Capital Award was originally conceived at a meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, held in May 2006, on the initiative of the former City Mayor, Mr. Jüri Ratas. Now, for the ninth European Green Capital designation in 2018, cities from all over Europe are getting ready to take part in the race for environmental recognition.

Objectives - cities as role models Urban areas are the source of many of today’s environmental challenges – not surprising, since more than two thirds of Europeans live in towns and cities. Local governments and authorities can provide the commitment and innovation needed to tackle and resolve many of these problems.

Consequently, the aim of the initiative is to recognise and reward local efforts to improve the environment, the green economy and the quality of life in cities. The Award is given each year to a city, not necessarily a capital, which is leading the way in environmentally friendly urban living and which can thus act as a role-model to inspire other cities. Cities differ enormously and sharing concrete examples of what a European Green Capital looks like is essential to improve citizens’ quality of life and provide a sustainable future.

MAKE YOUR CITY FIT FOR LIFE

©Chris Bahn

The Grain Barge on Harbourside, Bristol

Healthy urban living The European Green Capital Award is given to a city that has improved its urban living environment as a whole through concrete activities such as:

• Co-operation and partnership between authorities, citizens, business and other stakeholders aimed at developing and improving urban living conditions

• Implementation of sustainable mobility solutions

• Introduction and expansion of parks and recreational areas

• A modern approach to waste management

• Innovative solutions to noise pollution

• An integrated approach to sustainable urban management ensuring positive long-term effects

Who can apply? • The European Green Capital Award is

open to EU Member States and Candidate Countries; Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

• All cities from the countries listed above which have more than 100,000 inhabitants can apply for the Award. In countries where there is no city with more than 100,000 inhabitants, the largest city is eligible to apply. Please note: where applicable, cities may apply for either the EGCA or EGL, but not both, in any given year.

• In this context, a ‘city’ is understood to be an urban area, excluding metropolitan areas, larger urban zones and conurbations, and is understood as an administrative unit governed by a city council or another form of democratically elected body.

• Past winners may not apply for a period of ten years after they held the European Green Capital title.

How to apply• Applications can be made online at

ec.europa.eu/europeangreencapital

• To find out more about the Award please email greencapitalsecretariat@rpsgroup.com

APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED FROM CITIES TO BECOME EUROPEAN GREEN CAPITAL 2018

Winning cities

2016: Ljubljana2015: Bristol2014: Copenhagen2013: Nantes2012: Vitoria-Gasteiz2011: Hamburg2010: Stockholm

Being a European Green Capital brings many benefits long after the designated year ends, including:-

• Increase in tourism

• Positive international media coverage worth millions of euro

• Increase in international profile, networking and new alliances

• New jobs – a European Green Capital is more attractive to foreign investors

• More emphasis on environmental projects through sponsorship and grants

• Boost in local pride and feeling of belonging

• Momentum to continue improving environmental sustainability

• Attracts public financing

• Access to the European Green Capital Network

GREEN CAPITALS KEEP ON WINNING

Traditional houses line the famous Nyhavn, a 17th-century waterfront, canal and entertainment district

Winning Cities:

Copenhagen 2014Copenhagen created a network of cities that have been shortlisted or winners of the European Green Capital Award, to enable progressive green cities to share knowledge and drive the environmental agenda forward together.

Nantes 2013To raise citizen awareness, the Call for Citizens Project, aimed at promoting citizens’ initiatives in favour of sustainable development, was launched in July 2012. Over 200 projects were submitted by non-profit associations or citizen collectives, of which 85 were selected and received funding up to a maximum limit of €5,000 each.

Vitoria-Gasteiz 2012The city has been able to reach agreements with other institutions and generate external funding, including millions of euro in

sponsorship for new environmental projects like 250,000 more trees in the Green Belt and flood prevention works from now until 2020.

Hamburg 2011Hamburg generated phenomenal national and international media coverage, mostly linked to the Train of Ideas - a travelling environmental exhibition. Some 800 media reports reached over 270 million people in six months including potential tourists and investors. There was a 57% increase in the number of Renewable Energy sector jobs between 2008 and 2012.

Stockholm 2010Stockholm welcomed media from all over the world as well as 120 delegations on professional study tours and close to 360 delegates to its European Green Capital Conference, to share its learnings and motivate change.

©U

rsula Bach

BRISTOL: 2015 EUROPEAN GREEN CAPITAL

A year celebrating Bristol’s leadership in creating healthier, happier citiesSituated at the mouth of the Severn Estuary close to the confluence of the River Avon, Bristol city is surrounded by some of the most scenic countryside in England, with the Mendip Hills, Somerset Levels, Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and Brecon Beacons National Park. It is the United Kingdom’s eighth most populous city, with over 440,000 residents.

Bristol has long been a city of inspiration and innovation – its bustling harbourside, excellent green spaces and stunning architecture providing the backdrop for creativity, daring ideas and adventures that have influenced the world throughout history. 2015 Programme Highlights

The 2015 European Green Capital programme focuses on three important themes: Learning, Innovation and Leadership.

• The Bristol Debates, Summits and Conferences (February - April and October 2015)

• An international green tech festival (March - June 2015)

• Solar Balloon (August 2015)

• Festival of Future Cities (November 2015)

Hundreds more events will be run, many by groups and organisations enabled by grants and other support that Bristol has been able to secure as European Green Capital 2015. Bristol’s programme will reach every neighbourhood and be as inclusive as possible.

©Chris Bahn

Bristol’s ‘Bridging the Gap’ opening ceremony that took place in January.

Green facts & figures

• In 2014 Bristol was named The best place to live in the UK (Sunday Times)

• Bristol is the most energy and carbon efficient city in the UK

• Almost a fifth of Bristol residents walk to work

• Over the last ten years, homes have become 25% more efficient

• Over 90% of the Bristol population live within 300m of parklands and waterways

• Bristol’s low carbon economy employs around 9,000 people

• Bristol has four city farms, eight nature reserves and more than 400 parks

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection of a city to be designated European Green Capital 2018 will be assessed on the basis of twelve indicator areas:

• Climate Change: mitigation and adaptation

• Local transport

• Green urban areas incorporating sustainable land use

• Nature and biodiversity

• Ambient air quality

• Quality of the acoustic environment

• Waste production and management

• Water management

• Waste water treatment

• Eco innovation and sustainable employment

• Energy performance

• Integrated environmental management.

Information to be provided by the applicant citiesThe 2018 Award Application Form has four sections per indicator:

A. Describe the present situation.

B. Describe the measures implemented over the last five to ten years.

C. Describe the short and long term objectives for the future and proposed approach to achieve these.

D. List how the above information can be documented; add links where possible.

Detailed instructions on how to apply, including a guidance note can be found on ec.europa.eu/europeangreencapital.

Two-tier evaluation processA panel of internationally acknowledged Experts will assess the information supplied by each city. This will include qualitative evaluations and a peer review of each application based on the 12 indicator areas. Following these evaluations, a number of cities will be shortlisted for the 2018 title.

The shortlisted cities will be invited to present their vision, strategies and capacity to act as a role model to the Jury.

The European Green Capital 2018 will be announced at an Award Ceremony in Ljubljana in June 2016.

The 2018 European Green Capital competition opens on 3rd June 2015. The closing date is 19th October 2015.

ec.europa.eu/europeangreencapital

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ISBN 978-92-79-45855-2doi:10.2779/223379

KEY DATES IN 2015/2016Wednesday 3 June 2015

Launch of call for applications to become the European Green Capital for 2018

Friday 3 July 2015

European Green Capital 2018 Application Workshop in European Commission’s premises, Brussels

Monday 19 October 2015

Deadline for eligible cities to submit their application at ec.europa.eu/europeangreencapital

November 2015 - March 2016

Expert panel assessment of all applications including clarifications where needed

April 2016

Announcement of shortlisted cities

June 2016

Presentation of shortlisted cities to the Jury and announcement of the 2018 winner at the European Green Capital Award Ceremony in Ljubljana

EUROPEAN GREEN CAPITALS TO DATE

European Green Capital SecretariatThe application process and the work of the expert panel and the Jury are facilitated by the European Green Capital Secretariat, currently run by RPS Group, an environmental and communications consultancy based in Ireland. The Secretariat also assists with PR activities related to the Award scheme through the European Green Capital Award website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages, and through various communication channels such as brochures and press releases.