Where is Europe’s greenest city? Eight finalists announced for 2028 and three are in Spain
The finalists were judged in seven areas, including climate change resilience, waste management and how quickly they are cutting emissions.
Next week, eight European cities will learn if their green initiatives have earned them one of the EU’s top environmental accolades. The European Commission’s annual Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards honor cities that have made tangible environmental progress while enhancing residents’ quality of life. This June, an independent panel narrowed a list of 27 eligible applicants down to eight finalists, evaluating them on factors such as air and water quality, biodiversity, and efforts to reduce emissions.
The winners will be revealed next week in Guimarães, Portugal, the host city for the 2026 Green Capital award. The cities were chosen more than a year in advance, allowing ample time for them to implement projects and programs during their year of recognition. Five of the finalists are vying for the Green Capital title, while three – all in Spain – are in contention for the Green Leaf award for smaller cities.
The European Union established the Green Capital Award to celebrate cities that are effectively addressing environmental challenges and improving the lives of their citizens. The primary prize is awarded to cities with populations exceeding 100,000, while smaller cities with populations ranging from 20,000 to 100,000 compete for the Green Leaf title.
An expert panel assessed applicants across seven criteria, including air and water quality, preservation of nature and green spaces, waste management and noise reduction, emission reduction rates, and preparedness for threats such as extreme heat and flooding. Each finalist exhibits unique strengths. For example, Zaragoza impressed the judges with its commitment to biodiversity and green space, integrating parks, riverbanks, wetlands, street trees, and surrounding natural areas into a cohesive network to support wildlife movement and mitigate flood risks.
Porto distinguished itself for its water management strategies and proactive planning for a more unpredictable climate. Over the past decade, the city has undertaken initiatives such as restoring the Rio Tinto riverbed and banks, constructing new parks designed to capture rainwater during heavy rainfall, and repurposing treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation and street cleaning.
In contrast, Benidorm has garnered attention for its significant increase in greenery within built-up areas. Since 2012, the resort town has expanded its public gardens from 350,000 square meters to over 1.5 million and nearly quadrupled its tree count. Currently, 92% of Benidorm's residents reside within 300 meters of a public green space.
The finalists will present their plans to an international jury on October 7 and 8 in Guimarães. The Green Capital winner will receive €600,000 to fund environmental initiatives, while the Green Leaf winners will receive €200,000 for green projects and public activities.
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