Extending the cycle path network, furthering the urban railway project, promoting electro-mobiles, refurbishing houses for energy efficiency, designating new biotopes and separating and recycling waste more efficiently: These are some of the green ideas with which Hamburg, the second largest German city with about 1.7 million inhabitants, aims to distinguish itself in 2011 as Europe’s Green Capital. The northern German metropolis received the award from the European Commission, thereby beating 35 other European candidates. The first city to receive the title, which is awarded for exemplary dedication on the part of large cities to environmental protection and nature conservation, was Sweden’s capital in 2010.
Hamburg’s First Mayor, Christoph Ahlhaus, regards the award as an opportunity for the city. Anja Hajduk, senator for urban development and the environment, says that cities like Hamburg also have several proposals for environmental solutions aimed at a better harmonization of ecology and economy. Hamburg, as Europe’s Green Metropolis, aims to show this in 2011 by means of more than 200 events and projects. These will address themes such as mobility, climate and energy, nature and urban greenery, urban development and living, resource protection and economic activity, or sustainable consumption. Furthermore, the Hanseatic city will launch a Train of Ideas. This “mobile exhibition” will go on tour during the coming months through several European cities and present ideas for metropolises that are worth living in and environmentally-friendly.
Hamburg, which is famous for its many parks and green areas, wants to set a good example. One of its ambitious aims is to reduce the emission of noxious carbon dioxide by 40% by the year 2020, and by 80% by 2050. By which stage the city hopes to be in a position to do without fossil fuels. But Hamburg can already demonstrate that nature protection and economic strength need not be contradictory. An example: In Hamburg’s port, which is after all the third largest in Europe, an environmentally-friendly container taxi replaces up to 60 trucks and every year transports 150,000 containers from one port terminal to another.////
