Pula wins world’s first Friend of the Sea Sustainable City Award

The efforts and initiatives of the Croatian city of Pula to preserve its marine environment and species have been recognized by Friend of the Sea, a project of the World Sustainability Organization (WSO). Pula has become the world’s first winner of the Friend of the Sea Sustainable City Award, which aims to promote sustainable practices and the protection of marine ecosystems.

The award handed by the Friend of the Sea project praises Pula’s efforts to preserve the environment and improve its citizens’ quality of life by embracing sustainable solutions, according to a press release from the WSO.

“We recognize the city of Pula’s impressive record in adopting sustainable practices and marine conservation initiatives. For this reason, we decided to award it with the Friend of the Sea placard”, said Paolo Bray, founder and director of the WSO, which promotes sustainable practices through its two main certification programs – Friend of the Sea and Friend of the Earth

Pula is also among the 100 most sustainable destinations in the world, which demonstrates its ability to work with all stakeholders, particularly environmentally conscious companies, individuals, and associations committed to adopting sustainability, according to the statement.

Pula is also among the 100 most sustainable destinations in the world

The sustainability initiatives that Pula has implemented so far include establishing and improving a waste management system, implementing a green model of storm water drainage, and introducing eco-buses that use compressed natural gas, as well as electric bicycles and electric scooters in its public transportation system. It also plans to co-finance the purchase of energy-saving devices and the installation of solar panels.

The Pula Aquarium has received a sustainability certificate from Friend of the Sea

Photo: Pexels from Pixabay

In June this year, the Pula Aquarium received the Sustainable Aquarium certification from Friend of the Sea for its contribution to promoting environmental policies and animal welfare. At the award ceremony, a sea turtle rehabilitated in the Aquarium’s Rescue Center was released into the sea.

Pula’s Ambrela Beach is set to receive the Sustainable Beaches label

The turtle was released at Pula’s Ambrela Beach, which is in final stages of the certification process to receive the Friend of the Sea Sustainable Beaches label, the WSO said in the statement, adding that the requirements include the absence of disposable plastic, water quality, and respect for the natural ecosystem.