In the project "Ruhr Metropolis - European Green Capital: Analysis and Preparation of Factual Information (Data) for the EU-Application of the Ruhr Region", the Wuppertal Institute has compiled possible targets and measures for the Ruhr Metropolis within the 12 key themes of the European Commission's "European Green Capital" competition. These include: local contribution to global climate change, local transport, green urban areas incorporating sustainable land use, nature and biodiversity, quality of local ambient air, noise pollution, waste production and management, water consumption and leakages, waste water treatment, eco-innovation and sustainable employment, environmental management of the local authority, and energy performance.

In eight workshops and accompanying expert rounds, the results have been discussed and developed further by representatives of the Regionalverband Ruhr (RVR, the Regional Association Ruhr), the local authorities of the Ruhr Metropolis, regional stakeholders and the Wuppertal Institute. The dialogue series "Strategies for a Sustainable Ruhr Metropolis" was organised by the RVR. Apart from the application as European Green Capital, this dialogue series is one element in the process of developing binding environmental targets for the Ruhr Metropolis by the RVR and the local authorities of the Ruhr Metropolis.

The Wuppertal Institute has presented the results within the 12 key themes in the project "Ruhr Metropolis - European Green Capital", prepared concrete suggestions for targets and measures for discussion in the workshops, and accompanied their further development by contributing existing scientific knowledge.