The capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana, has won the European Green Capital Award for 2016.

It received recognition for raising environmental awareness among its citizens, for its sustainability strategy ‘Vision 2025’, its implementation of a range of “urban green measures” and its “impressive” transportation network.

The award ceremony is an annual event that promotes and rewards the efforts of cities that are committed to improving the urban environment.

Twelve cities applied for the award but only five – Essen, Ljubljana, Nijmegen, Oslo and Umeå – were shortlisted following an assessment.

EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: “As a citizen of Ljubljana, it is with immense pride that I congratulate the city on its environmental achievements… All of the finalists of this Award provide us with valuable real-life examples of how respect for the environment, excellent quality of life and economic growth can all be successfully combined.”