Brussels, 19/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - Copenhagen is to be the European Green Capital 2014. The title was awarded to the Danish capital on Wednesday 18 December at a ceremony in Brussels, attended by Frank Jensen, Mayor of Copenhagen, and Janez Potocnik, European Environment Commissioner. The award is given to towns as recognition that they are in the vanguard for creating a green and sustainable city with a high quality of life.
Copenhagen has many green credentials that have helped it to win the title. These are: 36% of commuters and 55% of Copenhageners cycle to work or school/college; district heating serves 98% of households; there was a 24% cut in carbon emissions between 2005 and 2012; 96% of residents live within 15 minutes' walk of a recreational area; Copenhagen has twice been voted the world's most liveable city by Monocle magazine (2008 and 2013); and, in 2008, transport experts named the city's urban train system the “best metro in the world”.
For this European competition, a panel of independent experts assesses the performance of the competing cites against 12 environmental criteria. A jury then evaluates their commitment to ongoing environmental improvement and sustainable development, as well as their skills in communication. Copenhagen will take over from Nantes, that currently holds the title. In 2015, the title will pass to Bristol (United Kingdom) (see EUROPE 10868). (AN/transl.jl)