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Bristol has been shortlisted for the European Green Capital award.

The award, which aims to help cities become more attractive and healthy places, is similar to the European Capital of Culture competition.

Bristol City Council leader Helen Holland said she was pleased the city's achievement had been recognised. She said they wanted to make Bristol a "truly green capital" and tackle the issues of "climate change, transport and congestion".

Shortlisted cities
• Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Bristol, United Kingdom
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Freiburg, Germany
• Hamburg, Germany
• Münster, Germany
• Oslo, Norway
• Stockholm, Sweden
 

Green indicators
In their applications, each city was asked to provide information on ten indicator areas with regards to their present environmental status and results, what they were doing to improve the urban living conditions, their future initiatives and dissemination plans.

When the evaluation panel has assessed the eight shortlisted cities over the course of the second evaluation round, it will present its recommendations to the jury, which will then take the final decision. The announcement of the first two European Green Capitals for 2010 and 2011 will be made at a ceremony planned for early 2009.