European Green Capital 2024: What does Valencia have planned for its year in the limelight?

Spanish City Aims to Be 'the Beacon' of Green Policies in Europe

– This Spanish city wants to be 'the beacon' of green policies in Europe this year.

The Greenest City in Europe

The greenest city in Europe has officially upped sticks from the Baltic shores of Estonia to the Spanish Mediterranean.

Valencia as European Green Capital

Valencia took over as European Green Capital from Tallinn in a ceremony last week, kickstarting more than 400 sustainable events in 2024.

– *Valencia*

– *European Green Capital*

– *Tallinn*

– *400 sustainable events*

EU Green City Awards

The award has been running since 2010 – generating some healthy rivalry between big EU cities as they transition to clean energy, better protect nature, and improve the lives of residents.

– Transition to clean energy

– Protect nature

– Improve residents' lives

Valencia: The Green Capital

"Valencia has earned the Green Capital title because of its ambitious sustainability strategy, and it has learned from lessons in the past," says EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius.

– Ambitious sustainability strategy

– Learning from past lessons

Valencia's Civic Movement

"For many decades, the city has been driven forward by a bold civic movement that sustains genuine change. People are Valencia's asset."

– People drive change in Valencia

– Civic movement sustains progress

Why is Valencia Europe's greenest city?

– *Valencia* stands out as a city that prioritizes sustainability.

– It is known for its commitment to environmental initiatives.

– The city has implemented numerous green policies and projects.

– *One* notable project is the Turia Gardens, an expansive green space in the heart of Valencia.

– Valencia also promotes cycling as a sustainable means of transportation.

– Overall, the city's dedication to green practices sets it apart as Europe's greenest city.

Green Initiatives in the Southeastern City

When it comes to greenness, the southeastern city is already starting from a strong base.

– Community gardens are _sprouting_ up across the city.

– Recycling programs have been _implemented_ successfully.

– Energy-efficient buildings are becoming more _commonplace_.

Valencia's Gardens and Albufera National Park

Valencia boasts over two million square metres of gardens, making it a popular tourist destination for the rest of Europe. Just 10 kilometres south of the centre lies Albufera National Park, a protected lagoon area described as the city's *'green lung'* by mayor of the Alfafar municipality, Ramón Adsuara.

– Valencia boasts over two million square metres of gardens

– Popular tourist destination for the rest of Europe

– Albufera National Park is 10 kilometres south of the centre

– It is a protected lagoon area

– Referred to as the city's *'green lung'* by Ramón Adsuara

Success Through perseverance

But it's what you do with what you've got that counts – and that has earned Valencia title position in 2024, beating co-finalist Cagliari in Italy.

– Perseverance

– Determination

– Skillful execution

Valencia's Environmental Recognition

Valencia's motto is 'On a Mission Together' and city authorities were praised by the Commission for working with residents to reach their climate neutrality and environmental goals.

– City motto: *'On a Mission Together'*

– City authorities praised by the Commission for collaborative efforts with residents to achieve climate neutrality and environmental goals

Green Initiatives for Carbon Neutrality

As part of its mission to become carbon neutral by 2030, a number of green initiatives are being piloted across the city.

– One of the key projects involves the implementation of solar panels on public buildings.

– Another initiative focuses on promoting public transportation and cycling as sustainable modes of travel.

– The city is also looking into establishing more green spaces and parks to improve air quality and biodiversity.

– Recycling programs are being expanded to encourage waste reduction and proper disposal of materials.

By actively pursuing these initiatives, the city aims to make significant progress towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.

Sustainable Solutions in Cabanyal District

Many of them are found in the Cabanyal district, historically home to the local fishing community. In the 3,500 metre-squared Cabanyal Municipal Market for example, air conditioning is now being supplied by rooftop solar panels.

Socialised Solar Plant in Las Naves, Valencia

Nearby in Las Naves, Valencia's first 'socialised solar plant' is around 80 per cent funded by individual citizens, who each chipped in between €100 and €2,000 for a stake in the renewable energy generator.

– Individual citizens funded about 80% of the project.

– Each citizen contributed between €100 and €2,000.

– The project aims to create a renewable energy generator.

Green Initiatives in the City

Other green initiatives include smart lighting along the seafront, where more than 20,000 lamp posts have been fitted with energy saving technology. Lamp posts are also doubling up as EV charging points, under support from the EU-funded *MAtchUP* project.

– Smart lighting along the seafront

– Energy saving technology on lamp posts

– Lamp posts doubling up as EV charging points

– Supported by the EU-funded MAtchUP project

How is Valencia getting even greener?

– Valencia continues to make strides in sustainability.

– Renewable energy sources are being implemented.

– Bike lanes are being expanded across the city.

– Green spaces are being increased in urban areas.

Opening Ceremony in Valencia

"Today we take the baton from Tallinn and we do it with great strength," the Mayor of Valencia, María José Catalá, said during the opening ceremony at the city's Palau de la Música on 11 January.

– Mayor of Valencia, María José Catalá

– Opening ceremony held at Palau de la Música

– Date: 11 January

Green Initiatives in Valencia

"It begins a year in which more than 400 activities will be held, where Valencia will be the beacon of green policies in Europe to build a more humane, more sustainable and more prepared to combat climate change city."

– Over 400 activities planned

– Valencia leading in green policies in Europe

– Focus on creating a more humane and sustainable city

– Preparedness to combat climate change

Valencia's Flagship Projects

Valencia’s event programme indicates what some of those activities will be. Though, as we found from our visit to Tallinn in autumn, it can take a year to see how green capital status fully delivers. Here are some of the flagship projects we know about so far.

– Valencia Green City Initiative

– Sustainable Transportation Project

– Eco-Friendly Buildings Program

– Community Garden Development

– Waste Management Improvement Plan

Safeguarding the Albufera park

– The Albufera park is an important natural reserve in Valencia, Spain.

– It is home to a wide variety of bird species, some of which are endangered.

– The park's ecosystem must be protected in order to ensure the survival of these birds.

– Efforts are being made to prevent pollution and preserve the park's delicate balance.

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Valencia's European Green Capital Initiative

One of the Valencia's initiatives is to have the Albufera declared a biosphere reserve.

– This is an important step towards ensuring the preservation and protection of this unique ecosystem.

– The Albufera is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, making it a crucial area for biodiversity conservation.

– By receiving biosphere reserve status, the Albufera will benefit from increased recognition and support for its conservation efforts.

– This initiative showcases Valencia's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Let's continue to support initiatives like these that aim to create a greener and more sustainable future for us all.

National Park in Spain

The national park holds Spain's largest freshwater lagoon; home (at times) to 300 different species of birds, especially waterfowl including *flamingos*.

– Freshwater lagoon

– 300 different species of birds

– Waterfowl including flamingos

Special Protection Area Upgraded to UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

"It's been a Special Protection Area for 30 years, but becoming a UNESCO biosphere reserve would grant it even greater sanctity as a *'learning place for sustainable development'*."

– The area has been designated as a Special Protection Area for the past 30 years.

– Upgrading to a UNESCO biosphere reserve would enhance its status.

– The area aims to become a 'learning place for sustainable development'.

New green routes in Valencia

– Valencia has recently introduced _new green routes_ for cyclists to enjoy the city's beautiful sights and surroundings.

– These routes are designed to provide a safe and scenic way for cyclists to explore Valencia.

– The city has invested in improving cycling infrastructure and promoting eco-friendly transportation options.

– Residents and tourists alike can now enjoy these new cycling routes that showcase the green spaces and cultural highlights of Valencia.

Valencia's New Routes

Valencia has designed three new routes to showcase the city's assets and progress in three key areas:

– nature, including Albufera

– sustainable mobility, with greater promotion of public transport, cycling, and walking

– the recovery of public space for citizen's enjoyment.

The Green River

The first new route is called 'the green river' and it covers the nine kilometres of the Turia Garden – one of Spain's largest urban parks which tracks the former Turia riverbed. It's described as a *"healthy backbone"* with clear climate strengths: staying three degrees cooler than other areas of the city, while acting as a natural sponge that retains and filters water to the subsoil – thus preventing floods and erosion.

– Spain's largest urban park

– Tracks former Turia riverbed

– Acts as a natural sponge

– Prevents floods and erosion

Second Route

The second route takes walkers through the centre, across squares and pedestrianised streets that showcase Valencia's commitment to sustainable mobility.

– Centre

– Squares

– Pedestrianised streets

Route 3: The Three Natural Pantries

Route 3 encompasses the city's "three natural pantries": a peri-urban orchard, the fish-stocked Mediterranean sea, and Albufera with its surrounding rice fields, where *paella* was first cooked up.

– A peri-urban orchard

– The fish-stocked Mediterranean sea

– Albufera with its surrounding rice fields

Valencia's Climate Summit

Also on Valencia's busy schedule is a climate summit it is planning to host, bringing together more than 200 European cities to catalyse the continent's move to climate neutrality.

– The summit aims to gather more than 200 European cities.

– The goal is to catalyze the continent's move to climate neutrality.