Valencia’s 2024 Green Capital of the European Union kicks off

Brussels – Valencia’s 2024 European Green Capital kicks off. More than 400 activities and events have been organized in the Spanish city to reach out to all sectors, from the public specializing in sustainability, manufacturing, and business, to residents. The aim is to raise awareness about the triple crisis of pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change and enable people to take action to address it.

“Valencia has earned the title of Green Capital thanks to its ambitious sustainability strategy and has learned from the lessons of the past,” explained The Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius. “For many decades, the city has been propelled forward by a courageous civic movement advocating genuine change. People are Valencia’s resource. This year will enhance citizens’ experiences and support them even more in bringing about the change we all need for a better future.”

To win the competition Valencia used the motto “On a Mission Together,” and city authorities are working with residents to achieve climate neutrality and environmental goals. The inauguration will be held today (Jan. 11) with a ceremony in which María José Catalá, mayor of Valencia, will receive the Green Book from Tiit Terik, deputy mayor of Tallinn, Green Capital of 2023.

The European Commission launched the 2010 Prize to encourage cities to become greener and cleaner and improve the quality of life of their inhabitants. It is awarded to cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. Since 2010, the European Commission has awarded the title to: Vilnius (2025), Valencia (2024), Tallinn (2023), Grenoble (2022), Lahti (2021), Lisbon (2020), Oslo (2019), Nijmegen (2018). , Essen (2017), Ljubljana (2016), Bristol (2015), Copenhagen (2014), Nantes (2013), Vitoria-Gasteiz (2012), Hamburg (2011), and Stockholm (2010). In 2015, the European Green Leaf title was also introduced for smaller cities between 20,000 and 100,000 inhabitants, with 17 winners so far. The 2024 titles went to the Slovenian city, Velenje, and Treviso in Italy. The opening ceremony will be followed by a concert in the Palau de la Música cultural centre. Tomorrow, the first plaques from the EU Mission for Climate Neutrality and Smart Cities will be awarded.