Vienna has its first green hydrogen plant
The facility will be able to power 60 buses daily
Balsys (Green Lakes) and Žirmūnai are the first freshwater beaches in Lithuania to receive the international eco-label
Balsys (Green Lakes) and Žirmūnai, two of Vilnius’ 10 public beaches, have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag for 2021, reports the municipal website. What makes the event stand out is that these are the first freshwater beaches in Lithuania to receive the world-famous certification. The flag marking the rating will be raised at the start of the beach season in early June.
The Blue Flag is awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), a not-for-profit NGO based in Denmark which operates in 60 member countries. Recipients of the coveted eco-label are beaches, marinas, or sustainable boating tourism operators that meet FEE’s stringent standards. Balsys (Green Lakes) and Žirmūnai received blue flags after implementing 33 strict requirements in the categories of education and information, water quality, environmental management, safety and service quality.
The Blue Flag programme has been running since 1985. In 2021 the flag will fly at more than 4,600 beaches in 46 countries around the world.
Lithuania joined the programme in 2000. Since then, 7 Lithuanian beaches have been awarded blue flags: the central beaches of Nida and Juodkrante, Palanga Birutė Park, Klaipėda City Municipality Smiltynė I and Melnragė II, Vilnius City Municipality Žirmūnai and Balsis (Green Lakes).
The Blue Flag certificate is issued for one season only. If, following FEE inspection, the condition of a beach is found to no longer meet the mandatory criteria, the Blue Flag must be lowered. The official bathing season on Vilnius public beaches starts on June 1 and lasts until September 15.
Vilnius beaches are maintained by Grinda, a company wholly-owned by Vilnius City Municipality which provides a wide range of services. The business portal rekvizitai.lt placed Grinda on its TOP Companies 2020 list among the most reliable and profitable Lithuanian business entities.
In 2020, Grinda's sales reached EUR 25 million. A part of the company’s EUR 1.2 million profit will be paid in the form of dividends to the shareholder Vilnius City Municipality and thus contribute to the financing of the city schools, kindergartens, and hospitals.
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
The previous mayor was forced out of office following a no-confidence vote in the city council
Modern traffic lights do more than regulate the flow of vehicles at crossroads, they also collect enormous amounts of data
The facility will replace the need to have water supplied by tankers from Valencia
Modern traffic lights do more than regulate the flow of vehicles at crossroads, they also collect enormous amounts of data
The German Aerospace Center in Cologne is looking for volunteers for its next bed rest study
The facility will replace the need to have water supplied by tankers from Valencia
The intervention has affected the mountainous districts of the Catalan capital
Two million euros will go towards the effort that will try to refresh its original splendour
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
The project aims to urge pedestrians to live even healthier lives
The blaze has been dubbed the Danish capital’s own “Notre Dame” tragedy
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team