Ljubljana received the recognition for raising environmental awareness amongst its citizens, for its sustainability strategy, its implementation of a range of urban green measures and its impressive transportation network, the European Commission said in a press release.

"As a resident of Ljubljana, it is with immense pride that I congratulate the city on its environmental achievements. I very much look forward to its year as the 2016 European Green Capital," EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik of Slovenia said upon presenting the award to Janković.

Janković said that he was very much honoured by the title, expressing a great pride in all sustainable achievements that Ljubljana has made.

"Not only do we take great care of the most beautiful city in the world, we have also proved that sustainable projects in green Ljubljana can lead by example to many in Europe."

The European Green Capital Award has been conceived by the European Commission as an initiative to promote and reward environmental efforts in urban environments.

It is conferred annually by a jury of environmental experts. Each year, a capital with the highest environmental standards which is committed to its environmentally-oriented goals wins the title for a year.

A total of twelve cities have presented their candidacies to become the European Green Capital 2016. Ljubljana was short-listed alongside Germany's Essen, Netherlands's Nijmegen, Norway's Oslo and Sweden's Umea.