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News article14 January 2022Directorate-General for Environment

Grenoble starts as 2022 European Green Capital

Tomorrow, the French city of Grenoble will officially become the European Green Capital for 2022, taking over from the Finnish city of Lahti. The opening ceremony will take place in the presence of Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius, Barbara Pompili, French Minister of the Ecological Transition and Eric Piolle, Mayor of Grenoble, among others.

Commissioner Sinkevičius said:

Grenoble has earned the Green Capital title thanks to its  unwavering commitment to create a healthier city for and with its citizens. I hope Grenoble’s Green Capital year will give a further boost to its green leadership and inspire other cities around Europe to take advantage of the opportunities of the European Green Deal.

Grenoble gained the title as a frontrunner in sustainable transition, notably as the first French local authority to adopt a Climate Plan. Grenoble has put in place urban policies to mitigate pollution and biodiversity loss, such as a 30km speed limit throughout the city, making it France's largest low emission zone. During its Green Capital year, Grenoble will challenge local stakeholders to commit to taking action on one or more of 12 indicators for the green transition.

The launch of Grenoble’s year coincides with the French Presidency of the Council, whose priorities include implementing the European Green Deal and working towards zero pollution, climate neutrality, enhanced biodiversity protection, and achieving a circular economy.

The Green Capital Opening Ceremony starts on Saturday 15 January at 17.00 CET. The livestream can be watched here.

Why Grenoble?

  • Grenoble was the first French local authority to adopt a Climate Plan, in 2005. The city reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 25% from 2005 to 2016 and is working towards a 50% reduction by 2030.
  • In 2022, Grenoble will produce the equivalent of its inhabitants' consumption in renewable, zero-carbon, zero-nuclear energy.
  • Grenoble addresses noise pollution with designated quiet areas in the city and reducing speed limits in the city. After applying the 30km speed limit throughout the city, the Grenoble metropole became France's largest low emission zone.
  • Grenoble is also France's top city for bicycle commuting. The city has achieved impressive cycling rates through incentives, reimbursements and pedestrianisation.
  • School canteens in the city of Grenoble source at least 60% of their produce locally or from organic farms (95% for nurseries). Each year, Grenoble horticultural centre produces 3.5 metric tons of vegetables for the various kitchens of the Department of Isère.
  •  Grenoble has planted more than 5500 trees since 2014. The goal is now to plant 10 000 trees before 2030.
  • The metropolitan heat network, the second largest in France after Paris, uses 80% renewable energy and energy recovery with the ambition to use 100% by 2030.
  • More than 200,000 inhabitants already recycle their food waste, or do so at home to make compost. Objective: 100% of inhabitants by 2022!
  • A local agri-food trademark, ISHERE, has been launched by the Department of Isère, guaranteeing fair payment for local producers, local sourcing and environmentally friendly methods of production.

Background

The European Commission has launched the European Green Capital Award in 2010 to encourage cities to become greener and cleaner, and to improve the quality of life for their inhabitants. With over two-thirds of Europe’s population living in cities, cities play a leading role in the protection of the environment and will be important in implementing the European Green Deal locally.

Fourteen cities have won the European Green Capital Award to date: Stockholm (2010), Hamburg (2011), Vitoria-Gasteiz (2012), Nantes (2013), Copenhagen (2014), Bristol (2015), Ljubljana (2016), Essen (2017), Nijmegen (2018), Oslo (2019), Lisbon (2020), Lahti (2021), Grenoble (2022) and Tallinn will be the Green Capital holder in 2023.

For more information

European Green Capital website

Green Grenoble 2022 website

European Green Leaf website

Twitter: @EUGreenCapital

Facebook: www.facebook.com/EuropeanGreenCapitalAward

LinkedIn: European Green Capital Award EU

EU Policy on Urban Environment

Details

Publication date
14 January 2022
Author
Directorate-General for Environment

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