One hundred European cities have now joined the Green City Accord – a political commitment to make cities greener, cleaner and healthier. Cities that sign up commit to addressing five major environmental challenges.

One hundred European cities have now joined the Green City Accord – a political commitment to make cities greener, cleaner and healthier. Cities that sign up commit to addressing five major environmental challenges: air quality, water quality, nature and biodiversity protection, circular economy and waste management, and noise pollution. The Green City Accord 2022 ceremony will take place on 29 November and can be watched online or in-person.

Many signatory cities are already acting. Tallinn is improving biodiversity protection by investing in a Pollinator Highway; Utrecht is working to ensure that urban densification does not lead to an increase in noise pollution; Florence aims to become a “circular city” in the next years, while current Green Capital holder Grenoble has focused strongly on improving mobility and is now France’s top city for bicycle commuting.

Background

The Green City Accord

The Green City Accord is a movement of European cities committed to safeguarding the environment. In signing the Green City Accord, city leaders agree to define more ambitious environmental goals that are to be achieved by 2030 through stepping up more effective actions to improve air and water quality, conserve and enhance nature & biodiversity, advance the circular economy, and reduce noise in cities.

The European Commission formally invites mayors in the European Union to step up local action to help accelerate the implementation of the EU’s environment legislation and support attaining the environmental ambitions of the European Green Deal. In turn, the European Commission will support cities by providing networking and funding opportunities and by facilitating closer communication between EU and local policy-makers.

EUROCITIES, ICLEI Europe and CEMR are supporting the European Commission in developing and implementing the Accord.

To learn more about the Green City Accord, please visit www.greencityaccord.eu

or contact: contact@greencityaccord.eu

Source: European Commission I Environnent (https://bit.ly/3EMw8QX)