Heilbronn Named Europe’s Green Capital for 2027

Germany’s Heilbronn has been awarded the title of European Green Capital 2027 in recognition of its outstanding performance in environmental and climate metrics. The city topped the rankings based on criteria including air quality, water management, noise control, climate adaptation, and implementation of a circular economy. Its holistic planning approach, combining strategies like the Landscape Plan 2030 and the Mobility Concept, earned special praise for integrating noise and air pollution control. In addition to winning the title, Heilbronn will receive a prize of €600,000, intended to support further expansion of its sustainability efforts. Meanwhile, smaller cities were honoured through the Green Leaf Award: Assen (Netherlands) and Siena (Italy) received distinctions and funding for their civic innovations in circularity, waste management, and low-carbon urban practices. The award jury included representatives from the European Commission, the European Environment Agency, the European Committee of the Regions, and other environmental bodies. Finalists such as Debrecen, Klagenfurt, Benidorm and Saint-Quentin were also recognised for their commitments to urban sustainability.