PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Since the launch of the European Green Deal in 2020, the EU has increased its commitment to environmental targets in the fight against climate change. However, the linear economic model persists, and greenhouse gas emission trends are still far from being on target to achieving a carbon neutral Europe by 2050. Many challenges remain, and the shift toward more sustainable lifestyles requires the dedication of all public administrations.
With over 70% of Europeans living in urban areas, local authorities play an important role in pursuing shared environmental objectives and paving the way for a greener Europe. Many European cities are already demonstrating their commitment by approving local plans and strategies, joining climate friendly networks, and implementing actions. However, there is a need for a comprehensive vision of what to achieve, which actions to undertake and how to monitor and coordinate these efforts.
The Green City Accord (GCA) serves as an excellent mechanism to address these needs. It encompasses five pillars that constitute the main environmental problems of cities: air quality, biodiversity, noise reduction, waste management and water quality. By signing the GCA, mayors commit to safeguarding public health and well-being by taking ambitious local-level actions, aimed at achieving goals related to improved air quality, enhanced water quality and efficiency of water use, promotion of urban biodiversity, advancement toward a circular economy, and reduction of noise pollution.
Launched by the European Commission in October 2020, this initiative encourages cities with populations exceeding 20,000 to take decisive actions to protect the environment and enhance the quality of life of their citizens. Around 90 EU cities have already joined, but signatory cities have encountered certain challenges and issues when putting the accord into practice.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE GreenMe5 project aims to assist local authorities in effectively implementing of the GCA through transnational cooperation and capacity building in five European municipalities. It will focus on resolving the challenges faced by authorities, making them better equipped to commit to the requirements of this voluntary approach, and facilitating the decision-making process through data collection and strategic planning provided by the GCA.
The consortium comprises five cities that have already endorsed the accord, each with a very different situation, context and starting point with regards to GCA implementation. The cooperation of the five municipalities will allow them to share experiences, enhance their capacities, and jointly address common challenges.
To achieve the general objective LIFE GreenMe5 has set the following specific objectives:
To establish new and to reinforce existing coordination structures at a municipal level to coordinate the implementation of the GCA with other local policies and initiatives.
To create a political board composed of one policy-maker representative from each municipality and one representative of the Green City Accord Secretariat.
To ensure a multi-governance approach, integrating all municipal departments and relevant stakeholders into the working structure, preparation, strategy development and monitoring of the GCA.
To implement several pilot actions in the field of air quality and water usage improvement, urban biodiversity enhancement, waste recycling and noise pollution reduction.
To improve the methodology for the definition of the baseline state, assessment of needs for the indicators’ measurements and planning of structures and methodologies for their monitoring.
To train more than 100 workers and to raise awareness among 790 people (62 educational talks with local associations).
To carry out 115 multi-governance events.
To target 2,000 participants through awareness campaigns.
To transfer the project approach and methodology for the successful implementation of the GCA around Europe.
RESULTS
The project’s expected results are:
The reduction of:
23 tonnes of food waste
5 tonnes/year of inappropriately managed aluminium waste
10 tonnes/year of inappropriately managed electric and electronic materials
10 tonnes/year of inappropriately managed kitchen oil
4 tonnes/year of inappropriately managed polylaminate packaging.
The re-greening of a 2,030 m2 school playground, incorporation of a 450 m2 of green roof and a 260 m2 green façade.
The implementation of a two-stage ditch, which will have an impact on the reduction of 600 m length of the Rään river (30 km) whose ecological status is affected (in the context of the Water Framework Directive).
A reduction flood risk and contribute to biodiversity over 6,000 m2.
50 municipalities adhering to the GCA.
