Stockholm has been designated as the first ‘European Green Capital 2010’. The new scheme is meant to reward cities for consistently improving the urban environment and sustaining healthy living areas.

The aim is to promote best practices and to inspire other cities. All those with more than 200,000 inhabitants are eligible to apply. The Swedish capital has four times that many. Another northern port, Hamburg, has been chosen as winner for 2011. With 1.8 million people, this is Germany’s second-largest city. The European Green Capital title, it is expected, will bring advantages such as more tourism, more investment and more young professionals in search of a wholesome, prosperous place to live and work.More about: Global warming and climate change, Stockholm

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