By Martin Banks - 1st June 2011
Cities evolve and grow and sometimes they even shrink and die
Janez Potocnik
The northern German city of Hamburg is being hailed as Europe's newest 'green' capital.
The accolade comes after the European commission selected the city as its "European green capital" for 2011.
Hamburg beat off competition from several other European cities to host a year-long series of events promoting 'green' issues.
According to the commission, the city impressed the jury with its high environmental standards and ambitious environmental and climate protection goals.
Hamburg, Europe's third biggest port, was selected partly in recognition of its efforts to tackle climate change, and follows Stockholm which became Europe's first green capital in 2010.
It has succeeded in reducing CO2 emissions by 15 per cent since 1990 and the aim is to reduce CO2 emissions by 40 per cent by 2020 and by 80 per cent by 2050.
It has nearly tripled its use of renewable sources in the last 12 years and since 2009 has its own 100 per cent city-owned energy supplier.
As part of its green capital status, Hamburg has launched a mobile exhibition on a train which will visit 18 cities throughout Europe promoting the 'green message'.
Called the Train of Ideas, the exhibition will showcase Hamburg's best practices as well as "environmental" solutions from other cities.
Janez Potocnik, commissioner for the environment, said, "The city and many companies are committed to reducing harmful greenhouse gases and increasing energy efficiency.
"Cities evolve and grow and sometimes they even shrink and die. They are living things and we need to build our vision of what the city of tomorrow should look like.
"I am delighted to see that Hamburg is leading the way as this year's European green capital award holder."
Olaf Scholz, Hamburg mayor, said, "Our aim is to serve as a model for other European cities with regard to sustainability and the environment.
"We are proud of the solutions we have already put in place and are convinced that acting responsibly to protect the environment in a city is not only necessary but entirely feasible."
