The winners of the European Green Cities 2025 Awards were announced in Tallinn, Estonia, where the jury recognised that Vilnius has successfully reduced emissions through various measures, such as increasing renewable energy sources and renovating heating infrastructure with the aim to become climate-neutral by 2030. The winners of the European Green Cities 2025 Awards were announced in Tallinn, Estonia, where the jury recognised that Vilnius has successfully reduced emissions through various measures, such as increasing renewable energy sources and renovating heating infrastructure with the aim to become climate-neutral by 2030. The winner is one of the ATHENA Alliances cities – Vilnius, partner university VILNIUS TECH!
A total of 14 cities competed for these awards. An international expert panel of seven independent urban sustainability experts evaluated each application and shortlisted 5 finalist cities. The finalists were interviewed by an international jury comprising representatives from the European Commission, Committee of the Regions, Covenant of Mayors Office, European Environment Agency, and European Environment Bureau.
The Mayor of the capital believes that the city’s energy independence must be the main focus. “Here we are categorical – we have to make the city use renewable energy sources and no longer depend on fossil fuels,” said Mayor of Vilnius V. Benkunskas.
The European Commission has been holding the European Green Capital elections since 2008. The idea, which aims to encourage cities to become more environmentally friendly and to create a healthier environment for citizens themselves, originated from a Memorandum of Understanding signed by fifteen European cities.
Read more on the Vilnius municipality page: https://vilnius.lt/en/2023/10/05/vilnius-won-the-title-of-the-european-green-capital/
