Green Reykjavík
Reykjavík was recently shortlisted for the European Green Capital Award but the annual award is a new initiative presented by the European Commission to a city on the forefront of environmentally friendly urban living. Cities are evaluated on criteria which include efforts to combat climate change, develop low-carbon transport, promote sustainable land use, improve air quality, cut noise pollution and manage water consumption and waste water treatment. The finalists include Spanish cities Barcelona and Vitoria-Gasteiz, Sweden's Malmo, French city Nantes, Germany's Nuremberg and Icelandic capital Reykjavik.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Stockholm, the current European Green Capital. Germany's Hamburg is due to hold the title for 2011. The jury is made up of representatives from the European Commission, the European Environment Agency and other agencies. Main points of the programme Motto is “Green Capital – Go All the Way”
Reykjavík´s beautiful natural setting, its uniqueness in Europe; use of and access to sustainable energy, and innovations in energy will attract European eyes to Reykjavík; active public consultation. Reykjavík is in many ways exemplary city in environmental affairs. The City of Reykjavík offers environmental solutions, and is ready to share with others, both in Iceland and abroad. Green solutions in environment and transport are the most promising means of enhancing quality of life. It is important to safeguard green spaces and water sources in the city, and to encourage green transport.
Reykjavík´s plan with respect to our application to be European Green Capital is concerned primarily with making the city a better place, a better destination to visit and having a positive influence on others. We have now been striving for self-improvement for many years; and we wish now, more than ever before, to step forward and to show other local governments in Iceland, and other European cities, what can be achieved. We wish to draw attention to the location of Iceland‟s capital, in the middle of the Atlantic ocean.
In 2010 the City of Reykjavík agreed a new Cycling Plan, under which conditions will be greatly improved for those who wish to travel around the city on bicycles, whether to and from work, on other business, or simply for recreation. Reykjavík is a cosmopolitan city, but at the same time very family-friendly. Travel habits Reykjavík is well known for its green energy and clean air.
In Reykjavík nature is never far away, and the attractions are many: whale-watching cruises from Reykjavík Harbour, the Blue-Flagged Geothermal Beach at Nauthólsvík, walks in the Heiðmörk nature reserve, or a hike up Reykjavík‟s local mountain, Mt. Esja (914m). And just close by is the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. Geothermal springs in and around the city feed seven thermal pools in Reykjavík, which are perennially popular with Icelanders and visitors alike.
Opportunities for the city to live up to the name of European Green City are thus excellent, and we set ourselves the objective of increasing green transport in the city, inter alia by changing over to electric vehicles