Bristol shortlisted for European Green Capital award » Environment » 24dash.com

Bristol has been named as the only city in the UK to be short-listed for a top European green award.

Council leader Helen Holland said Bristol's selection as a contender for the inaugural European Green Capital Award was "a real credit" to the city.

She added: "By working together, residents alongside local businesses and organisations, we can tackle head-on the big issues that face us such as climate change, transport and congestion, and the longer term creation of better neighbourhoods."

The award was launched this year by the European Commission and aims to improve the environment in urban areas.

Each year from 2010 a European city will be appointed as European Green Capital by a panel of environment experts and Bristol has been selected alongside seven other cities including Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Oslo and Stockholm.

Maria Berrini, a member of the evaluation panel, said: "The work of the eight nominees were of such an outstanding nature, that we felt they all could be excellent role models for green capitals all over Europe.”

Bristol's Green Capital Action Plan, launched in 2007 has helped its bid and progress for the city includes expansion of the cycling network, two bus routes, a scheme to improve green spaces, a waste management strategy and a plan to protect Bristol's wildlife.

Bristol has been recognised for its environmental efforts by becoming the country's first Cycling City this year, winning £11.4m of funding, and receiving the Civic Trust National Green Flag Award for improving green spaces at Blaise Castle Estate, Queens Square and Trooper's Hill Nature Reserve.