‘Sustainable Liverpool’, our ninth annual seminar series, got off to a great start yesterday with an inspirational speaker from Tallinn. Engage board member, and Ropewalks resident, Diana Heredia, reports on what we learned.

Kadri Kopli, Head of Partnerships at the European Green Capital 2023 stepped in to replace the Executive Director Krista Kampus, who fell ill at the last minute. She shared the inspirational journey her city went on with a full house of residents and stakeholders, who were listening with rapt attention to a presentation showing off a city that shares a lot of similarities with Liverpool. A coastal port city of similar size and population Tallinn has worked hard to become a sustainable and inclusive city, an effort that has been recognised by awarding it European Green Capital status based on its systemic approach to green governance and interlinked strategic goals.

The city boasts free transport for its citizens since 2012, ranks high on biodiversity and on indexes as one of the best cities to live and work. Tallinn has also banned single use plastics from public events, testing the practice at one of the largest choral events in the world.

Most striking in the presentation is the holistic approach on a human scale that puts the wellbeing and satisfaction of its citizens front and centre and including local people in decision-making. Many initiatives feed into what everybody already knows is important: a circular economy, biodiversity, inclusive governance, and sustainable mobility.

Here it sounds only natural that the Pollinator Highway – a 14 km linear park that combines community gardens, installations, physical exercise and resting spaces – is not just good for insects whose numbers are declining worldwide, but also adds to the offer for residents and visitors.

Indeed, Paul Fawkesley, one of the panellists summed it up: What is good for the people is good for the planet.

At the same time as making living in the present pleasant, Tallinn also has its eyes firmly set on the future by offering itself as a testing ground for local and international companies of innovators wanting to develop groundbreaking solutions.

These are just a few of the examples presented and Kadri was honest about disappointments and challenges and concluded that they can do more, but closed with the admission that once you are a European Green Capital there is no going back, the mindset and ambition to do better remains.

Simon Mansfield, our Sustainability Manager responded to the presentation by sharing data collected in Liverpool that is feeding into plans on how to reduce carbon emissions going forward. A unique set of panellists combining a politician, an academic, an activist and a member of the arts sector shared their own thoughts and insights representing different contributors to creating a city for all.

The biggest lesson I took away from the evening is that making a city a good place to live, work and play benefits all. We are grateful for a positive and encouraging event that left the audience excited and inspired starting many conversations on our own challenges and opportunities.

Engage will publish and upload soon videos of the evening’s presentations as well as links that were recommended, on our page for the seminar series.

You can read more about Tallinn’s year as European Green Capital on the official website.

And, finally, you can register for the next two seminars in the series here.