The Selection Committee began to examine the list of 17 candidate cities on 1 February and have produced their shortlist of these six finalists. The cities have been assessed using a comprehensive list of environmental criteria, including the local contribution to the fight against climate change, transport, urban green zones, sustainable land use, nature and biodiversity, the quality of the local atmosphere, noise; waste generation and management, water consumption, residual waste treatment and the environmental management of the municipality.