The European Commission opened the process to find the city that will win the European Green Capital title in 2015. This annual award is intended to spur European cities to become more attractive and healthy places – “fit for life”. This year Vitoria-Gasteiz is the European Green Capital and Nantes will be it in 2013.

The European Commission launched the search to find the city that will win the European Green Capital title in 2015. This award recognises cities that are at the forefront of environmentally-friendly urban living and which can act as role-models to inspire other cities. Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for the Environment has encouraged cities to apply and to use this as an opportunity to review and highlight their environmental achievements and plan a sustainable future for their citizens. Vitoria-Gasteiz is the European Green Capital 2012.

In particular, the key aims of the award are to reward cities that have a well-established record of achieving high environmental objectives; to encourage cities to commit to ambitious goals for future environmental improvement and sustainable development; and to provide a role model to inspire other cities and promote best practices and experiences in all other European cities.

So far, four cities – Stockholm, Hamburg, Vitoria-Gasteiz and Nantes – have been awarded the prestigious title, from 2010 to 2013 respectively. The 2014 green capital will be announced on 29 June. The European Green Capital Award is the outcome of an initiative taken by cities with a green vision. The concept was originally conceived at a meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, held on 15 May 2006, at the initiative of Mr Jüri Ratas, former Mayor of Tallinn, where 15 European cities and the Association of Estonian cities signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of such an award.