Lahti (Finland) starts its European Green Capital year

An opening ceremony that starts tomorrow at 11:00 CET will officially mark the start of the  European Green Capital year 2021 for Lahti in Finland. Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said on the occasion: “The European Green Capital title is a recognition, but it is at the same time a responsibility for the cities receiving it that they will continue working for green policies and actions and will set a good example to follow. I am convinced that Lahti has lessons to share in its management of air quality, its ambitious climate goals of becoming carbon neutral by 2025 and how it works to change people’s behaviour to more sustainable.” Carrying the title of European Green Capital, Lahti will drive the implementation of the European Green Deal at local level, support local climate mitigation targets and the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 or the Circular Economy. The European Green Capital designation is awarded by the European Commission following a stringent international competition. Lahti – Finland’s eighth largest city – is the 12th European Green Capital, taking the turn from Lisbon, Portugal. In the competition for the title it performed strongly across all environmental thematic areas covered by the award, most notably in air quality, waste, green growth & eco-innovation and governance. To follow the ceremony, register here.