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Zaragoza secures the Capital Verde Europea 2028 with its urban commitment
Zaragoza will be Capital Verde Europea in 2028. The jury valued its governance and long-term climate commitment, as well as its urban biodiversity and the Plan Director de Infraestructuras Verdes.
The jury highlighted the city's governance and its measures to address climate challenges.
In Copenhagen, some tourists are rewarded for collecting litter and travelling sustainably. Other European cities are already copying the programme, showing how tourism can also contribute to environmental management.
These kinds of measures align with the goal of the Unión Europea’s Capital Verde award: to recognise cities that tackle environmental problems with concrete actions and improve local quality of life. Zaragoza, Spain’s fourth largest city, will hold the title in 2028.
What the jury valued in Zaragoza
The decision is based on the city’s “solid governance and long-term commitment, which help the city successfully respond to growing climate challenges,” according to the EU Tourism platform. The jury also highlighted urban biodiversity, sustainable land use, and green spaces.
Among the measures mentioned is the Plan Director de Infraestructuras Verdes. To select the winner, a jury of independent experts examined air and water quality, protection of green spaces, noise and waste management, preparedness for extreme heat and flooding, and steps to reduce emissions.
An award with categories for large and small cities
The Capital Verde is awarded two years in advance. The 2027 edition has Heilbronn, in Germany, as the winner, recognised for its efforts against air and noise pollution.
The award is open to cities with 100,000 inhabitants or more. Municipalities with between 20,000 and 100,000 inhabitants can apply for the Hoja Verde (Green Leaf). In that category, the awards went to Benidorm y Chiclana de la Frontera, with 200,000 euros for each destination. Benidorm also received a special mention “for managing the pressure of mass tourism while protecting the environment.”
Also competing for the Capital Verde were Capital Verde Aalborg, in Denmark; Bielsko-Biała, in Poland; Košice, in Slovakia; and Oporto, in Portugal. In Barcelona, another local management issue is support for markets, with grants of up to 60,000 euros for traders’ associations.