Important information
Vilnius aims to win the EU Green Capital award
The capital of the country will apply to become the European Green Capital in 2025 as the Vilnius City Council approved the idea today. The European Commission awards the title for excellence in 7 areas that are important for the quality of life of citizens, from air and water quality to biodiversity and adaptation to climate change.
“A green city means modern homes, lively public spaces and easy commuting. Living greener also means living more frugally, as bills for greener utility services can be much lower thanks to energy savings, sharing and the benefits of the circular economy,” says Remigijus Šimašius, Mayor of Vilnius.
The Green Capital Award would give the city prestige and visibility, which would help Vilnius to attract more investment and EU funding, for example for energy efficiency in housing, transport and other areas that are important for the quality of urban life.
The European Green Capital also receives political support from the European Commission, a prominent place at major political events and initiatives on the EU’s green course, and €600,000 in funding for EU-wide events.
Stockholm was the first European Green Capital in the last decade. This year, Tallinn is the European Green Capital, and Valencia will follow in 2024. Green Capitals become a part of the Green Capital Network with 36 member cities, and continue to work together in the implementation of ambitious ideas for improving cities.
Vilnius already has a strong track record in green policy, which would be reinforced by the pursued European Green Capital Award. Last year, Vilnius became one of the 100 climate-neutral and smart cities under the EU Mission. By winning a place in this mission, cities receive solid financial and methodological support to help them achieve their green and climate neutral goals. Afterwards, cities that are leading the way in greening, with Vilnius already being one of them, share their experiences with others. €360 million in EU funding was earmarked for this city mission in 2023 alone.
More on the European Green Capital award.
Also read:
In response to opinions of Vilnius residents, mowing procedure will be changed in the capital
Companies maintaining the environment in the capital have already started mowing city areas. Having taken opinions of residents of the city into consideration, this year, the entire city will be mowed. Laws will be cut short in parks and squares where many people go for a walk and courtyards of... ❯❯❯
2023-05-08
This Year, over 70 km of Streets in Vilnius will be Greened
During the upcoming greening season, Vilnius Municipality plans to plant approximately 4,000 trees and 40,000 shrubs. Various companies have made plans to gift additional tens of thousands of trees to the city. This year, more streets and courtyards will be greened in the most densely populated... ❯❯❯
2023-03-17
Purchase of new trolleybuses announced
Vilnius starts upgrading its trolleybus fleet, which will make it one of the newest and most modern in the capital. At the end of the year, UAB Vilniaus Viešasis Transportas (Vilnius Public Transport) (VVT) launched a public tender for the purchase of 91 double-axle trolleybuses and started... ❯❯❯
2022-12-30
Neutralus Klimatui Vilnius (Climate Neutral Vilnius) is a new institution to take care of the reduction of pollution
The Vilnius City Council has made a decision to set up Neutralus Klimatui Vilnius (Climate Neutral Vilnius), a public body to unite and coordinate areas related to the formation of 'climate neutral' city and to transform the city of Vilnius to become 'climate neutral' by 2030 in line with the... ❯❯❯
2022-08-30
Vilnius is mowing the blooming meadows after the Midsummer Day
After the summer plants have finished blossoming and matured the seeds, Vilnius is starting the first mowing this year in the places where sustainable meadows are. Meanwhile, the lawn will be cut short in the residential environment (yards, children’s playgrounds, by the houses) as always. The... ❯❯❯
2022-07-05
Vilnius will ban burning coal and peat since 2023
The Vilnius City Council has decided that Vilnius residents will no longer have to endure the smog caused by polluting fuel used for heating year after year. From June 2023, the burning of coal or peat briquettes in Vilnius will be banned. “This decision is absolutely unavoidable, because... ❯❯❯
2021-10-29
