This Spanish city wants to become a “lighthouse” for environmental policy in Europe this year.
advertisementEurope’s greenest city has officially raised its stick from Estonia’s Baltic coast to Spain’s Mediterranean Sea.
Valencia has assumed its role as Europe’s green capital. Tallinn Last week’s ceremony marked the launch of more than 400 sustainable events in 2024.
The award has been running since 2010 and creates healthy competition as the EU’s big cities transition to clean energy, protect nature and improve the lives of their residents.
“Valencia has earned the title of Green Capital thanks to its ambitious sustainability strategy and learning from the lessons of the past,” said Virginius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries.・Mr. Sinkevicius says:
“For decades, this city has moved forward with bold citizen movements that sustain real change. Talent is Valencia’s asset.”
Why Valencia is the greenest city in Europe
When it comes to greenery, cities in the Southeast are already starting to build a strong foundation.
Valencia boasts over 2 million square meters of gardens, making it a popular garden destination. tourist destination For the rest of Europe. Just 10 kilometers south of the center lies the Albufera National Park, a protected lagoon area that Alfafar Mayor Ramon Adzuala describes as the city’s “green lung.”
However, what matters is what you do with what you have. And it defeated Cagliari, who reached the final in Italy, clinching the title spot for Valencia in 2024.
The City of Valencia’s motto is “Together we fulfill our mission” and city officials were praised by the committee for working with residents to achieve their goals. climate neutrality and environmental goals.
As part of our mission to become carbon neutral by 2030, a number of eco-friendly initiatives are being piloted across the city.
Many are located in the Cabañar district, which has historically been home to the local fishing community. For example, the 3,500-meter square Cabagnal Municipal Market is now supplied with air conditioning. rooftop solar power panel.
Valencia’s first “socialized solar power plant” in nearby Las Naves is approximately 80% funded by individual citizens, with each citizen receiving 100 euros to invest in a renewable energy generator. The company has invested between 2,000 and 2,000 euros.
Other green initiatives include smart lighting along the coast, with more than 20,000 light poles equipped with energy-saving technology. street light With support from the EU-funded MAtchUP project, it will also act as an EV charging point.
How is Valencia becoming a greener city?
“Today we will pick up the baton. Tallinn And we are doing it very strongly,” Valencia Mayor María José Catala said on January 11 at the opening ceremony in Valencia’s Palau de la Musica.
“Starting the year with more than 400 activities, Valencia will be at the vanguard of green policies in Europe to build more humane, sustainable and climate-ready cities.”
of valencia event program Here’s what some of those activities will look like. However, as we found out during our fall visit to Tallinn, it may take him a year before his Green Capital status is fully realized. Here are some of the flagship projects that we know about so far.
Protection of Albufera Park
One of the initiatives of the European Green Capital of Valencia is to have Albufera declared a biosphere reserve.
The national park owns SpainThe largest freshwater lagoon. It is home to (sometimes) 300 species of birds, especially waterfowl, including flamingos.
advertisementIt has been a Special Protection Area for 30 years, but becoming a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve will further enhance its sacred status as a “learning ground for sustainable development”.
Valencia’s new green route
Valencia has designed three new routes that showcase the city’s assets and progress in three key areas. By further promoting sustainable mobility, public transport, cycling and walking. and the restoration of public spaces that citizens can enjoy.
The first new route is called “The Green River” and will cover nine kilometers through the Turia Gardens, one of Spain’s largest urban parks, following the former Turia riverbed.the explained As a “healthy backbone” with clear climate strengths, it acts as a natural sponge to retain and filter water into the subsoil, keeping temperatures 3 degrees cooler than the rest of the city and preventing flooding. and prevent erosion.
The second route passes through the center, passing through plazas and pedestrian streets that demonstrate Valencia’s commitment to sustainable mobility.
Route 3 encircles the city’s “three natural larders”: the peri-urban orchards, the fish-rich Mediterranean Sea, and the Albufera with its surrounding rice fields, where paella was first prepared.
advertisementValencia’s busy schedule also includes the Climate Summit, which will bring together more than 200 European cities to accelerate the continent’s transition to climate neutrality.
Valencia will receive 350,000 euros from the EU this year to go towards environmental initiatives.
Vilnius will take over next year and entries are still being accepted for the 2026 spot – deadline is April 30, 2024, details here here.