Limerick has been awarded the title of European Green Leaf 2020 for smaller cities alongside the Belgian city of Mechelen. Meanwhile, the Finnish city of Lahti took home the European Commission's European Green Capital Award for 2021. EU COmmissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella awarded the titles at the official awards ceremony in Oslo, Norway. Vella said: "I congratulate Lahti for winning this tough competition at such a pivotal time for our planet. Limerick is now the second Irish city to ever be awarded the prize since its inaugeration in 2015, with Galway earning the title in 2017.

Source: Irish Examiner June 20, 2019 18:00 UTC