Bristol was one of eight European cities shortlisted to be the European Green Capital in 2010 and 2011. The decision was made in February and the title for 2010 was awarded to Stockholm and for 2011 to Hamburg.

The competition has reaffirmed Bristol’s Green Capital commitment to be seen as the leading city in Europe for the quality of its environment and in the way it is tackling climate change. It has also given a clear indication of the priority areas of action needed to be addressed; these are climate change, transport and noise.

Members from the two winning delegations, namely Stockholm and Hamburg, were delighted as they, on Monday 23 February, were presented with the European Green Capital award at the Bibliothèque Solvay in Leopold Park in the heart of Brussels.

Both delegations took the opportunity to thank the European Commission for initiating the Green Capital-campaign, and commented on the fierce competition they had faced.

Thirty five cities had applied for the award and, at the end of last year, eight were shortlisted. Apart from the two winners, the other finalists were Amsterdam, Bristol, Copenhagen, Freiburg im Breisgau, Münster and Oslo.