Tallinn in Estonia has been crowned as Europe’s Green Capital for 2023.
The city will lead a new network of 19 European cities aiming to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals at the local level.
In making the award, a jury of experts assess applications in accordance with 12 key environmental indicators:
1. Air quality
2. Noise
3. Waste
4. Water
5. Nature and biodiversity
6. Sustainable land use and soil
7. Green growth and eco-innovation
8. Climate change: Mitigation
9. Climate change: Adaptation
10. Sustainable urban mobility
11. Energy performance
12. Governance
Tallinn is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with protected green spaces making up approximately 20% of the city. They offer free public transport and have implemented a ‘meadow highway’ for wildlife.