• To become a European Green Capital, Grenoble had to submit a file outlining its actions in terms of sustainable development.

  • The city has convinced the European Commission thanks to its initiatives in ecological transition, but also for its ability to unite around it.

  • The year 2022 will be punctuated by events around the environment in Grenoble, for equally lasting effects on the city's economy.

Next year, Grenoble will be officially European Green Capital 2022. It is the second French city to receive this title awarded by the European Commission, after Nantes in 2013. It will succeed Finland's Lahti to become the showcase for ecological transition: a great challenge for the capital of Isère, under the EELV banner since 2014 with the municipality of Eric Piolle.

Because far from being only honorary, this label also has its share of duties.

How did Grenoble apply for this label?

Each European city of at least 100,000 inhabitants, showing "strong commitments in terms of social and environmental transitions", can apply for the title of Green Capital. “Each year, between 30 and 40 cities apply,” reports Daniela Stoycheva, environmental delegate of the European Commission.

Applicants must put together a file, providing precise data according to 12 indicators in geographic, economic, and above all natural and energetic fields.

“The files are then sent to twelve experts in each field, independent and international.

"These establish a list of eligible for a second step:" The finalists must present their city and their visions for the future to a jury made up of representatives of European institutions, NGOs and networks of cities.

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How did Grenoble win?

“The Green Capital label does not necessarily reward the best city in each of the 12 indicators, but the one that can go even further by inspiring others,” says Daniela Stoycheva. This requires a sharp communication strategy, and proposals for "environmental actions, initiatives and measures supposed to be put in place during the year labeled to develop the sustainability of the city".

If Grenoble won the title, it is “for its pioneering approach to climate management which includes a strong commitment to systemic change, and for its innovative approach to participatory democracy in city governance”.

The European Commission further reveals that Grenoble "has achieved first place in the areas of climate change mitigation, sustainable urban mobility, sustainable land use, noise and energy performance".

What awaits Grenoble in 2022?

The European Commission has presented the city with a cash prize which will be used to apply environmental measures during the year.

For its part, the State will finance the event to the tune of 4 million euros.

In fact, more than 200 events for all audiences will be organized, in which residents are invited to participate, around ecological transition, culture and science.

The opening ceremony will take place on January 15, in the presence of Emmanuel Macron and the European Commissioner for the Environment, Virginijus Sinkevicius.

And after ?

Grenoble should benefit from the same long-term effects as the previous winning cities: job creation, upgrading of the city's image, tourist impact.

Long-lasting effects in all areas, in short.

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Politics

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  • Isere

  • Planet

  • Energetic transition

  • Sustainable development

  • Label

  • EU

  • ecology

  • Grenoble