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🗞️ Driving the news: Heilbronn, Germany, has been named Europe’s Green Capital for 2027, recognized for its strong commitment to climate adaptation, air quality improvement, noise reduction, and circular economy initiatives
• The announcement was made at the European Green Cities Awards ceremony in Vilnius, Lithuania, where Heilbronn topped the rankings for its integrated sustainability planning and regional collaboration
🔭 The context: Launched by the European Commission, the Green Capital Award honors cities that lead in sustainable urban transformation
• Heilbronn’s Landscape Plan 2030 and Mobility Concept were key to its victory, combining urban design, transport, and environmental management into a holistic climate strategy
• The city’s ambitious 2035 environmental targets — including decarbonisation of municipal operations and biodiversity restoration — underscore Germany’s continued leadership in sustainable city planning despite national industrial challenges
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Urban areas account for over 70% of global CO₂ emissions, making city-level action essential to meeting EU climate goals
• Heilbronn’s integrated approach — linking mobility, land use, and resource efficiency — offers a scalable model for other mid-sized European cities navigating climate adaptation and livability challenges
• The award reinforces how local governance and citizen engagement can accelerate Europe’s green transition from the ground up
⏭️ What's next: Heilbronn will receive a €600,000 grant to expand its sustainability initiatives, while the Green Leaf Award for smaller cities went to Assen (Netherlands) and Siena (Italy), each receiving €200,000
• Both cities were commended for advancing waste circularity, renewable energy, and sustainable transport
• The 2027 cohort will act as “ambassadors of the green transition,” sharing best practices across Europe’s urban sustainability networks
💬 One quote: "This is both a recognition and a responsibility — you are our new ambassadors of the green transition." — Jessika Roswall, EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy
📈 One stat: Siena has reduced the amount of municipal waste sent to landfill to just 1%, one of the lowest rates in Europe
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