Vilnius was crowned Europe’s ‘green capital’

The Lithuanian city of Vilnius (pictured) has been named the new European Green Capital for 2025.

The award was launched by the European Commission in 2010 to encourage cities to become cleaner and greener. 

Vilnius was honoured in a ceremony in Tallinn, Estonia – the city is the current title holder – for its efforts to reduce emissions, improve biodiversity and for its clean air and water. Vilnius’ use of an app to give residents a say in city planning also impressed the jury. 

European Green Leaf awards went to Viladecans in Spain and Treviso in Italy for their unique approaches to ‘engaging communities in the green transition’. 

Virginijus Sinkevičius, European commissioner for environment, oceans and fisheries, acknowledged that the awards follow a summer of devastating extreme weather events.

“Cities will need to adapt to unpredictable weather as well as drastically cut their emissions,” he said. “The answer has to be greener cities – cities with lower pollution, which care more for citizens’ wellbeing. That is exactly what today’s winners are doing.”

On the topic of greener cities, authorities in Stockholm announced this week that petrol and diesel cars will be banned from the centre from 2025 in an attempt to cut pollution and noise.

Image: Dan-Marian-Stefan Doroghi