19 October 2012: Eight cities have applied for the European Green Capital Award 2015, the European Commission (EC) has reported. The Award is presented annually to a city that represents the foremost leader in environmentally friendly urban living. The 2012 applicants are: Bristol, UK; Brussels, Belgium; Bydgoszcz, Poland; Dublin, Ireland; Glasgow, UK; Kaunas, Lithuania; Kutahya, Turkey; and Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Janez Potočnik, EU Environment Commissioner, described the award as an opportunity for European cities to share best practices.

An international expert panel will assess each entry on 12 indicators: air quality and noise levels; climate change and energy performance; eco-innovation and sustainable employment; green urban areas and sustainable land use; the environmental management practices of local authorities; promotion of nature and biodiversity; sustainable local transport; waste management; water consumption and waste water treatment.

In 2013, shortlisted cities will present their proposals to an international jury composed of representatives from the Committee of the Regions, the EC, the European Environment Agency (EEA), the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), the European Parliament, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, and the Covenant of Mayors Office. The winner will be announced in June 2013 in Nantes, France, the 2013 European Green Capital.

Since the inception of the award in 2010, five cities have been awarded the title “European Green Capital.” Stockholm, Sweden won the inaugural title, followed by Hamburg, Germany in 2011. Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain is the current 2012 Green Capital. Copenhagen, Denmark will receive the title in 2014. [EC Press Release]