There is always a strong green element to the St Patrick’s Day parade but this year’s parade, along with many other events in the city during the year, will take its inspiration from Galway’s role as European Green Leaf city for 2017.
Galway’s Green Leaf year was launched in City Hall yesterday (Wednesday ), and the programme will see the city focus on environmental awareness and sustainability in everything it does.
Organised by the European Commission, the Green Leaf award is a relatively new project which recognises small-to-medium-sized European cities for their environmental record and their commitment to future sustainability. Galway is not just the first Irish city to hold the honour, it is just the third Green Leaf city to be named since the initiative began. Previous winners were Mollet de Valles in Spain and Torres Vedras in Portugal.
“Cities are really important because of the critical mass of people, they’re very powerful but they’re also very vulnerable,” said Dr Sharon Carroll, project co-ordinator for Galway’s Green Leaf programme. “It’s such a new concept, so one of the things Galway city is doing is increasing awareness of Green Leaf.”
The EC has run a Green Capitals programme for many years, but the new Green Leaf designation aims to recognise cities with a population of between 20,000 and 100,000. Given that there are roughly 3,500 cities in this size range throughout the European Union, gaining this designation is quite a coup for Galway.
“European Green Leaf not only celebrates our past environmental achievements, but also challenges our city to continually improve the quality of life of our citizens and reduce our impact on the global environment,” Dr Carroll said.
“Galway city has always led the way with environmental initiatives, from our progressive waste management practices to our active education and awareness programmes. The European Green Leaf jury recognised the potential of Galway city to act as a green ambassador and to promote the concepts of sustainable cities and sustainable communities throughout Europe.”
The Green Leaf ethos will be evident in all sorts of events and festivals throughout the year, from local events such as SeaFest and environmental awareness campaigns to national and international initiatives, including the National Spring Clean, Bike Week, and An Taisce’s Green Schools project. European Green Week, also organised by the EC, will see the city focus on green jobs and the sustainable economy.
Even after this year’s events, the Green Leaf designation will tie into future initiatives such as Galway’s Region of Gastronomy 2018 title, as well as European Capital of Culture 2020.
There will be plenty of local projects in the city as well this year, with plans to create an interactive green map of Galway, as well as a biodiversity plan for the city. Both residents and businesses will be invited to get involved, with plans under way to roll out a challenge to people to significantly reduce their food waste during the year.
“This year we would like to see a reduction in the amount of waste produced in Galway city,” Dr Carroll said. “We want to have a green ethos in the city. It’s a work in progress, and it doesn’t end at the end of 2017. Ultimately Galway will be a more green city. It is important that we do make changes and that we do see changes on the ground.
“It’s not just about litter, it’s about health, clean air, appreciating our blue spaces and green spaces, and improving our quality of life in general.”
There will also be a strong emphasis on the local community in Galway throughout the year, with community groups playing a key role in events throughout the year.
“Over the course of the year every single child in Galway city will participate in a Green Leaf initiative,” Dr Carroll added. “Community involvement is key. Galway City Community Workshop and all the organisations and groups they represent will play a key role in European Green Leaf.”
In November, before the city’s Green Leaf year ends, Galway will take over the presidency of the European Green Leaf Network, an umbrella group of all cities nominated for the designation. The city will host a meeting of the network at the end of the year, giving an opportunity to promote Galway internationally as a green place to visit.
To keep up to date with what’s happening as part of Galway’s Green Leaf year, watch out for monthly features in the Galway Advertiser and regular updates on www.galwaycity.ie/green-leaf People can also get involved by sending ideas and suggestions for the year to [email protected].
