Brussels, 29/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - Nantes will carry the title of Green Capital of EUROPE 2013. It received the accolade at a ceremony attended by Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik in Brussels on Thursday 29 November. Nantes, the sixth largest city in France, takes over from the current holder of the title, Spanish city Vitoria-Gasteiz. The European Green Capital award is presented to cities in the vanguard of environmentally friendly living, which lead by example in greener urban lifestyle.
Nantes' green credentials are not in short supply. Every citizen lives within 300 metres of a green area, the city having 57 square metres of green space per inhabitant and 100,000 trees. 15% of residents use public transport daily. Nantes has an ambitious climate action plan which seeks to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% per capita by 2020, compared with 2003. 60% of the land area of Nantes is either agricultural or green belt. The city has four Natura 2000 sites and 33 natural areas of floral, faunal or ecological interest. Nantes has also created a travelling exhibition called Aerofloral II which will tour European cities throughout 2013. Copenhagen will take over the green capital baton from Nantes for 2014 (see EUROPE 10646). (AN/transl.fl)