As European Green Capital 2014, ICLEI member city Copenhagen (Denmark) is applying its sustainability principles to this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Extra buses have been laid on to let visitors travel easily between the city centre and the venue. New bicycle lanes have also been constructed and the city bike scheme has been expanded to encourage visitors to cycle. The Eurovision village is promoting a green vision throughout the contest, with winners of the Eurovision School Contest [in Danish] – a nationwide competition in the run-up to the event - presenting their ideas for a green future to visitors.

In an alternative outdoor ‘green room’ made of turf, plants and cress walls, family-friendly activities including planting herbs, creating disposable newspaper flowerpots for seedlings and making pesto from wild plants will maintain the event’s green focus. Organic street food is being served throughout the week in a showcase of the best sustainable local cuisine. Free tap-water is also available to guests from drinking fountains and water vans, to minimise the waste produced by selling bottled water.

“We are looking forward to welcoming our visitors to one of the most sustainable cities in the world…During the Eurovision Song Contest week, our green transport solutions and the green activities offered at Fan Milen will show the world that Copenhagen is a sustainable and blue city where you can drink water from the tap and cycle safely,” said Frank Jensen, Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, talking before the event.

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