Eight cities have been shortlisted for the European Commission’s 2028 Green Capital and Green Leaf awards, with Spain and Portugal strongly represented among the finalists. The winners will be announced in Guimarães on 8 October, following presentations to an international jury.
The annual awards recognise cities that have made measurable environmental progress while improving residents’ quality of life. The competition assesses areas including climate resilience, biodiversity, air and water quality, waste management and emissions reduction.
Which cities are competing for the 2028 titles?
Five cities are finalists for the European Green Capital title, which is open to cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants:
- Aalborg, Denmark
- Bielsko-Biała, Poland
- Košice, Slovakia
- Porto, Portugal
- Zaragoza, Spain
Three smaller cities are competing for the Green Leaf awards, which are aimed at urban areas with populations between 20,000 and 100,000:
- Benidorm, Spain
- Chiclana de la Frontera, Spain
- Estarreja, Portugal
The 27 eligible applications were reduced to eight finalists by an independent panel in June. Each finalist will present its environmental plans to the international jury on 7 and 8 October before the decision is announced.
How Europe’s greenest cities are judged
The awards are designed to measure more than individual environmental projects. Judges examine whether cities have adopted joined-up strategies that can improve urban health, reduce climate risks and protect nature over the long term.
The assessment covers seven broad areas, including:
- Air and water quality
- Nature protection, biodiversity and green space
- Waste management and noise reduction
- Climate change mitigation and emissions cuts
- Adaptation to heat, flooding and other climate risks
- Environmental governance and long-term planning
This approach means that the competition is not simply about how many trees a city has planted. It also considers the effectiveness of water systems, the protection of natural habitats, the reduction of pollution and the ability of local authorities to prepare for increasingly unpredictable weather.
Zaragoza’s connected green network
Zaragoza has been recognised for its work on biodiversity and green infrastructure. The Spanish city is linking parks, riverbanks, wetlands, street trees and surrounding natural areas into a wider network.
The strategy is intended to create better movement corridors for wildlife while also helping the city manage flood risks. Connecting separate green areas can provide environmental benefits that isolated parks may not deliver on their own.
Porto focuses on water and climate resilience
Porto has highlighted water management and adaptation to hotter, less predictable conditions. Projects include restoration work along the Rio Tinto river, new parks designed to retain rainwater during heavy rainfall and the reuse of treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation and street cleaning.
These measures show how urban environmental policy can combine climate adaptation with more efficient use of resources. Water retention projects can support flood management, while wastewater reuse can reduce pressure on freshwater supplies.
Benidorm expands access to green space
Benidorm has focused on bringing more nature into a densely built-up resort city. Since 2012, the area covered by public gardens has grown from 350,000 square metres to more than 1.5 million square metres, while the number of trees has also increased significantly.
The city says 92 per cent of residents live within 300 metres of a public green space. Easy access to parks and planted areas can support outdoor activity, provide shade and help reduce the impact of high temperatures in urban neighbourhoods.
Why the awards matter as Europe gets hotter
The finalists’ projects reflect a broader shift in European urban planning. Cities are increasingly using trees, parks, wetlands and water-sensitive design to respond to heatwaves, intense rainfall and biodiversity loss.
Barcelona has converted some streets into pedestrian areas and parks, while Milan’s Bosco Verticale demonstrates how vegetation can be incorporated into high-density housing. In Breda in the Netherlands, residents, schools and households have helped replace hard surfaces with grass, flower beds, trees and rooftop gardens.
However, the awards also recognise measures beyond visible greenery. Heilbronn in Germany, which holds the 2027 Green Capital title, was praised for work involving clean air and water, noise reduction and waste reduction. The judging process therefore considers whether environmental action is producing city-wide improvements rather than isolated showcase projects.
What happens next?
The eight finalists will present their plans on 7 and 8 October. The winners will then be announced in Guimarães, Portugal, on 8 October. Guimarães is the 2026 European Green Capital.
The winning Green Capital will receive €600,000 to help implement environmental plans during its title year. Green Leaf winners can receive €200,000 for green projects and public activities.
Because the titles are awarded more than a year in advance, winning cities have time to organise public programmes, launch environmental initiatives and involve residents in their plans.
Conclusion
The 2028 European Green City Awards highlight how local authorities are responding to climate change through greener public spaces, better water management, biodiversity networks and stronger environmental planning. While the final decision will determine the official winners, all eight finalists demonstrate the growing importance of practical, city-wide climate action across Europe.
