The capital of Lithuania, Vilnius aims to become climate-neutral by 2030, reducing emissions with measures such as increasing renewable sources and renovating heating infrastructures
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, has been crowned the 2025 European Green Capital in the European Commission’s European Green Cities 2025 Awards. Viladecans in Spain and Treviso in Italy were awarded the European Green Leaf 2025 for smaller cities. The winners were announced at a ceremony in the current European Green Capital of Tallinn, Estonia.
The awards jury said it especially liked Vilnius’ down-to-earth approach, with its motto, “the greenest city in the making”, being guided by a clear vision and tangible actions. Vilnius has reduced emissions through various measures, including increasing renewable energy sources and renovating heating infrastructure, with the aim of becoming climate-neutral by 2030.
The city directly links its sustainability efforts with the happiness of its residents, connecting initiatives to clean air, clean water, biodiversity preservation, green spaces, and more. The jury added that its tech-oriented approach to citizen engagement and participation is innovative, using an app for citizens to engage in all relevant areas of city management and planning.
Both Green Leaf winners, Viladecans and Treviso, impressed the jury with their approaches to engaging their communities in the green transition. The jury highlighted Viladecans’ approach to inspire behaviour change through a culture of positivity and enthusiasm. The jury also recognised that residents and stakeholders at different levels participated in various decision-making processes, and that the city has made significant strides in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
As Green Leaf winner, the city will focus on two goals in parallel: the ecological transition and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Viladecans convinced the jury that a positive approach to sustainability challenges brings hope and inspires their own residents and will encourage other cities to work towards a greener future.
Treviso impressed the jury with its commitment to embrace change, and its variety of innovative approaches. This includes the use of storytelling and communication at inter-generational level and using gamification to engage young people. The jury also recognised the importance of the various ambitions and measures proposed by the city, for example, doubling the number of trees. Treviso is determined to use its past achievements as encouragement to do better and to push boundaries in terms of sustainability.
“Bravo to Vilnius, Viladecans and Treviso. Welcome to the European Green Cities group,” said Virginijus SinkeviÄius, European commissioner for environment, oceans and fisheries. “You have been working hard to make your cities greener, healthier and more pleasant places to live for your people. This ceremony follows a summer marked by floods and wildfires that caused devastation across Europe. Climate change will exacerbate these extreme weather trends, meaning cities will need to adapt to unpredictable weather as well as drastically cut their emissions. The answer has to be greener cities – cities with lower pollution, which care more for citizens’ well-being. That is exactly what today’s winners are doing.”
Vilnius will be granted €600,000 to support it to implement measures to enhance the city’s environmental sustainability as part of the European Green Capital 2025. European Green Leaf 2025 winners Viladecans and Treviso will each receive €200,000 to support their efforts.
A total of 14 cities competed for the awards with an international expert panel of seven independent urban sustainability experts evaluated each application and shortlisted five finalist cities. The finalists were interviewed by an international jury comprising representatives from the European Commission, Committee of the Regions, Covenant of Mayors Office, European Environment Agency, European Environment Bureau.
The European Green Capital Award was launched in 2010 by the European Commission to encourage cities to become greener and cleaner and improve the quality of life for their citizens. The award recognises cities that are committed to achieving the European Green Deal’s ambitious goals and more specifically the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the Circular Economy Action Plan and the Biodiversity Strategy.
The Spanish city of Valencia is the European Green Capital for 2024 title due to its past and current achievements in the field of sustainable tourism, climate neutrality, as well as fair and inclusive green transition. The vast majority (97%) of the city’s inhabitants live within 300 metres of green urban areas.
