Brussels, 14/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - The competition to find the Green Capital of EUROPE 2014 has kicked off. The campaign for selecting the winners began on Tuesday 14 June. Winning towns will succeed Stockholm, Hamburg, Vitoria-Gasteiz and Nantes which held the title from 2010 to 2013.
The Green Capital award recognises and rewards towns or cities that are at the forefront when it comes to being environmentally-friendly in urban living and which can act as role models to inspire other cities. Janez Potoènik, European Environment Commissioner, sees the award as “a powerful incentive to help convince local authorities that sustainable urban development is the key to a successful future”. The commissioner awaits new applications from throughout Europe with interest because it is a matter of showing “how investing in environmental protection can be combined with economic growth and improved wellbeing”.
Applicants must complete an online form by 14 October 2011 at the latest. They will be assessed on the basis of 12 indicators: local contribution to global climate change, transport, green urban areas, noise, waste production and management, nature and biodiversity, air, water consumption, waste water treatment, eco-innovation and sustainable employment, environmental management of the local authority and energy performance.
All cities across Europe with more than 200,000 inhabitants can apply for the title of European Green Capital 2014. The award is open to EU member states, candidate countries (Turkey, FYROM, Croatia, Montenegro and Iceland) and European Economic Area countries (Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein). In countries where there is no city with more than 200,000 inhabitants, the largest city is eligible to apply. To enter the competition, go to: http://www.europeangreencapital.eu (A.N./transl.jl)