Seven European cities reach the final stage for the 2027 Green Capital & Green Leaf Awards

Seven cities have been shortlisted by the European Commission to enter the final stage of the European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards, following an assessment by a panel of independent experts.

 

The cities have been selected based on their accomplishments and ambitions in addressing urban environmental challenges related to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. These exemplary cities are setting new standards of combining innovative solutions with robust governance to create healthier, more sustainable environments for their citizens.

The finalists for the 2027 European Green Capital title, awarded to the cities with populations above 100 000, are Debrecen (Hungary), Heilbronn (Germany) and Klagenfurt on Lake Wörthersee (Austria).

For smaller cities with populations of 20 000 and above, the finalists for the 2027 European Green Leaf title are Assen (The Netherlands), Benidorm (Spain), Saint-Quentin (France) and Siena (Italy).

European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall said:

“I am thrilled to announce the shortlist of finalist cities vying for the prestigious title of European Green Capital or Green Leaf. Amongst these vibrant contenders are dedicated cities from all corners of Europe that have not only embraced sustainability but have also championed innovative solutions for a greener future. This award celebrates the remarkable achievements and commitments of our exceptional cities and their leaders, who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to environmental stewardship and community well-being. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the citizens, city workers and mayors whose unwavering efforts continue to pave the way toward a sustainable Europe.”

The European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards look at the achievements of Europe’s top sustainable cities in seven environmental areas:

1. Air quality
2. Water management
3. Biodiversity, green areas and sustainable land use
4. Waste and circular economy
5. Noise pollution
6. Climate change mitigation
7. Climate change adaptation

More about our finalists

European Green Capital

Debrecen leads the way in sustainability, achieving the highest score among the finalists competing for the European Green Capital 2027 title. The Hungarian city excels in biodiversity, green areas and sustainable land use, as well as in waste and the circular economy. Debrecen has enhanced its urban environment through increasing green spaces by 16% and planting thousands of trees to improve the city’s microclimate.

Heilbronn stood out with top scores in air quality, water, noise, climate change adaptation and circular economy. Its holistic urban planning, which integrates noise management into a ‘Landscape Plan 2030’ and ‘Mobility Concept’, with strong citizen involvement, reflects a high benchmark for a sustainable city. Heilbronn’s ambitious targets for 2035 also highlighted its commitment to further improving air quality and reducing noise.

Klagenfurt on Lake Wörthersee performed very well across most environmental indicators, with particularly in air quality, water and climate change mitigation. The city was also praised for its plans to expand sustainable district heating and invest in green logistics, such as electric cargo bikes, to further improve air quality. Moreover, Klagenfurt was commended for its efforts in ensuring high drinking water standards thanks to advanced wastewater treatment processes and protected areas.

European Green Leaf

Assen performed strongly in biodiversity, green spaces, circular economy and climate change mitigation, earning top marks from the experts in these areas. The city was also credited for its innovative waste management policies, including enhanced plastic, metal and drink carton collection and initiatives such as Repair Cafés focused on reducing residual waste and promoting material recovery. With strong results in air quality, noise and climate adaptation, Assen demonstrated a well-rounded commitment to sustainability.

Benidorm received high marks for its excellent air quality and strong performance in climate change mitigation. Despite challenges like heatwaves and flooding, the city has reduced water consumption by 18% and achieved a 36% reuse rate. Benidorm also showcased steady progress toward sustainability with commendable scores in biodiversity, green spaces and the circular economy.

Saint-Quentin was praised for its sustainable air quality and noise management, along with strong results in circular economy and climate change mitigation. Since 2014, the city has achieved notable reductions in air pollution, particularly in ammonia emissions from agriculture and particulate matter from transportation. Its city-wide waste system, featuring colour-coded bins and the innovative ‘CLIIINK’ digital reward programme, earned it extra sustainability points.

Siena excelled in biodiversity, green spaces and land use, with outstanding results also in circular economy. The city has an average of 28 m² of public green spaces per capita and achieved an impressive 61.4% municipal waste recycling rate, while reducing waste sent to landfills to just 1%. With strong scores in air quality, water and climate change mitigation, the city rounds out a solid sustainability case.

Next steps

On 1-2 October 2025, the finalist cities will showcase their environmental vision and governance, as well as their communication strategy in case they win, to a jury panel.

The winners will be announced in this year’s European Green Capital Vilnius (Lithuania) on 2 October 2025 at a festive award ceremony.

The European Green Capital winner will receive a financial award of EUR 600 000 to implement their strategy in cooperation with citizens and stakeholders. The title of European Green Leaf is awarded to one or two cities. Each Green Leaf winner is granted a financial award of EUR 200 000 to help organise activities during their title year and support further transformation.

Benefits for cities

Cities are central to environmental protection. They are hubs of innovation and resources, enabling the efficient implementation of sustainable practices and policies that can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of a large proportion of the population. In addition, urban areas, with their large economies and engaged citizens, are influential leaders in setting the example for environmental policies.

The cities selected for the shortlist are recognised as outstanding examples in sustainability. In addition, all applicant cities receive valuable feedback from independent experts, allowing them to benchmark their efforts against other cities and gain insights on how to improve their environmental performance.

Winners attract significant attention on a European or even international level throughout their title year, boosting tourism, investment and cooperation. There are also long-lasting benefits after their tenure ends. Winning cities can change the perspective of citizens on environmental affairs, creating a momentum for ambitious, fundamental urban transformations that will improve cities permanently and attract further investments. This success can inspire other cities to follow in their footsteps, both regionally and globally, providing a sense of pride for citizens who actively support their city’s evolution.

More information: European Commission.