Which city is Europe’s greenest? EU names eight finalists

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on Euronews or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Eight European cities have been shortlisted for the EU’s 2028 European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards, recognising measurable progress on emissions, biodiversity, waste, air and water quality, and climate resilience
• Five are competing for the Green Capital title, while three smaller cities are finalists for the Green Leaf awards.

🔭 The context: The finalists are Aalborg, Bielsko-Biała, Košice, Porto and Zaragoza for Green Capital, and Benidorm, Chiclana de la Frontera and Estarreja for Green Leaf
• Zaragoza has focused on connecting parks, wetlands and riverbanks, while Porto has invested in water management and flood protection
• Benidorm has expanded public green space substantially, with 92% of residents now living within 300 metres of one

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The awards reflect a broader shift toward urban adaptation, where trees, wetlands, parks and water-management systems can simultaneously support biodiversity and help cities cope with heat and flooding
• Reducing emissions remains a core criterion alongside these adaptation measures

⏭️ What’s next: The finalists will present their plans to an international jury on 7–8 October, with winners announced on 8 October in Guimarães, Portugal
• The Green Capital winner receives €600,000, while Green Leaf winners receive €200,000 each for environmental projects and public activities

💬 One quote: “The changes being recognised by the EU are part of a paradigm shift visible in cities around Europe.” — Euronews

📈 One stat: 92% of Benidorm residents live within 300 metres of a public green space

Subscribe to our free newsletters to never miss a beat in sustainability.

The world needs sustainability knowledge. At illuminem, no interest group or shareholder can influence our work. Thank you for supporting our mission to make high-quality and independent sustainability information free for all. Every contribution helps. Thanks for donating today