The Mayor of Tallinn, Mihhail Kõlvart, signed Tallinn's accession to the European Green City Accord, which sets objectives for the city's air, water, noise, biodiversity and circular economy.

By signing the Green City Accord, Tallinn will set itself more stringent environmental goals than the minimum requirements of the European Union, which must be achieved by 2030. These include improving the quality of air, improving the quality of water bodies and the efficiency of water use, reducing noise pollution, conserving and enhancing urban biodiversity, and promoting circular economy and recycling as well as reducing waste generation and landfilling.

"Our great goal is the green future," said Tallinn Mayor Mihhail Kõlvart. "As one measure, we use the opportunity to participate in the activities of various green cooperation networks, including applying for the title of Green Capital, which enables us to structure our activities, but also learn from the experience of other European countries and offer complete solutions to our partners."

Joining the European Green City Accord will allow Tallinn to partake in shaping the European Union's environmental policy and, together with the community of like-minded cities, to contribute to the transition to a cleaner and healthier Europe. In addition, the city of Tallinn will have the opportunity to share its experiences and get acquainted with the experiences of other cities. Within two years of signing, the city must establish baseline levels and set ambitious targets in the five areas of the Accord mentioned above.

Prior to Tallinn, 26 European cities from Spain, Italy, Greece, Norway, Poland, Portugal, France, Sweden and Finland had signed the European Green City Accord.

Read more about the European Green City Accord on the European Commission's website: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/topics/urban-environment/green-city-accord_en