Estarreja has been awarded the European Green Leaf 2028 title, earning international recognition for the environmental transformation of a municipality historically associated with the chemical industry.
The Portuguese city will share the title with Benidorm, Spain, following an announcement by the European Commission at an awards ceremony in Guimarães on October 8. Zaragoza was meanwhile named European Green Capital 2028.
Estarreja and Benidorm will each receive €200,000 to support environmental initiatives during their year as European Green Leaf cities.
“This is a sign that our strategy has been successful over these more than 20 years. And that we are on the right path,” said Estarreja mayor Isabel Simões Pinto following the announcement.
The European Green Leaf award is aimed at towns and cities with populations between 20,000 and 100,000 which demonstrate strong environmental performance and ambitions for a greener future.
Estarreja reached the final alongside Benidorm and Chiclana de la Frontera, both Spanish municipalities, after applications were assessed across seven areas: air quality, water management, biodiversity and green spaces, waste and the circular economy, noise pollution, climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation.
When announcing the finalists in June, the European Commission specifically highlighted Estarreja’s achievements in air quality and climate change mitigation. It also pointed to efforts to promote active mobility, improve the energy efficiency of residential buildings and develop green and blue spaces.
More than half of journeys within the municipality are made on foot or by public transport, according to the EC.
Long history linked to heavy and chemical industry
The award carries particular significance for Estarreja given the municipality’s long association with heavy and chemical industry.
Simões Pinto said the title reflected around 25 years of work by the council, local companies and the wider community to improve environmental and social responsibility.
“Estarreja has been very marked by its industrial characteristics and chemical industry, but work has been carried out on environmental and social responsibility by the companies themselves and on involving the community,” she said.
Among the initiatives highlighted locally are BioRia, which promotes the natural heritage of the Ria de Aveiro and Baixo Vouga Lagunar, and the municipality’s network of small nature reserves.
The mayor said the European recognition could help consolidate the transformation of Estarreja’s image and encourage further action on biodiversity, climate adaptation and environmental education.
She described the award as an opportunity to continue changing perceptions among those who “may still not recognise Estarreja as a city that is transforming and adapting”.
Estarreja will now prepare a programme of initiatives for 2028, when it will act as a European green ambassador with projects focused on biodiversity, environmental education, climate action and public participation.
The award was contested by 27 European cities across the Green Capital and Green Leaf categories, with seven ultimately reaching the final stage.
Estarreja will become the fourth Portuguese municipality to hold the European Green Leaf title, following Torres Vedras in 2015, Valongo in 2022 and Águeda in 2026.