Report - European Green City Accord: progress and achievements 2020-2023

Cities across Europe are playing a pivotal role in advancing sustainability through the European Green City Accord (GCA). Established in 2020 by the European Commission, this initiative provides a framework for local governments to address critical environmental challenges. The recently published GCA 2020-2023 Report outlines the significant progress achieved over the past three years.

The GCA focuses on five key environmental policy areas: air quality, water management, nature and biodiversity, circular economy and waste, and noise reduction. To date, 115 cities have committed to these ambitious objectives, cementing the GCA’s status as a cornerstone of urban sustainability across Europe.

Summary of key achievements

The report highlights notable progress across all policy areas. In terms of air quality,  more than 90% of reporting cities met EU standards for particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), reflecting a strong commitment to improving air quality. Nonetheless, achieving compliance with the more stringent World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines remains an ongoing challenge. 

Improvement in water management was also detected. Municipalities have undertaken initiatives to reduce domestic water consumption and enhance wastewater treatment infrastructure. Meanwhile, over 50% of participating cities reported full compliance with EU water quality standards.

As for nature and biodiversity, the report highlights how urban areas have prioritised expanding green spaces and increasing the number of bird species. Currently, the average tree canopy cover among GCA cities is approximately 31%, which is higher than the EU average in 2018 (28.5%). 

Local authorities have advanced circular economy and waste management practices by adopting waste reduction efforts and improved recycling rates, making steady progress towards the EU’s 2030 circular economy objectives.

Regarding noise pollution, cities have implemented comprehensive strategies to mitigate noise pollution, aligning with related WHO recommendations and improving overall urban liveability for residents.

Exemplary local Initiatives

The report further underscores the impact of innovative local initiatives undertaken by GCA cities. Florence has implemented an extensive air quality management plan while Malmö has achieved near-zero landfill usage, exemplifying excellence in waste management practices. Finally, Vilnius has launched an expansive urban greening programme, significantly enhancing biodiversity and community well-being.

While celebrating these significant achievements, the report also identifies areas requiring further progress to achieve the GCA’s environmental objectives. It highlights the critical role of sustained collective action in addressing urban environmental challenges and serves as a model of best practice for cities globally.

For a detailed overview of these accomplishments, access the full report.