The greenest cities in the world are an example to follow of what we must do to reverse the damage we have done to Mother Nature, as these cities, also known as green cities, follow a behaviour code focused on various practices that respect the environment through which they try to eliminate the overall carbon trace of the city while embracing nature.
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Without a doubt, this is part of an ecological project that seeks coexistence between human beings and nature that seeks maximum sustainability. If you ever visit any of these cities, let them inspire you to reduce your own carbon trace and become a green traveller. Find out which are the 5 greenest cities below that remain as an example to follow for the rest of the world. In addition, we will detail what their initiatives are to get there and some of their future ambitions.
1. Copenhagen, Denmark.
The first place among the greenest cities could not be other than Copenhagen and there are several reasons to say so. “The Green Capital of Europe”, as it is also known, receives this title due to the continuous investment in green living alternatives and sustainability, which have also allowed its residents a high quality of life, but aims to be even more ecological.
Among these objectives is to become the first CO2 neutral capital in the world by 2025. However, it is not ambitious at all if we consider some initiatives such as:
- People enjoy biking more than using a car to get around the city, so even more bike lanes have been added. In fact, most hotels in Copenhagen offer bicycles to guests, and their aim is for half of their people to cycle to work or school this year.
- The total number of bicycles exceeds the number of cars and only 29% of homes have a car.
- They have a variety of advanced wind farms.
- 24% of the total food sales are organic products. In addition, 88% of the food served in public institutions is organic.
- The city council plans to plant 100,000 new trees by the end of 2025.
2. Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Amsterdam is a city where the new blends perfectly with the old to offer us one of the greenest cities. It is known for being a city that has more bikes than people, which are literally stacked on the streets. But for those who are not a fan of cycling, they can use electric cars to get around the city, having more than 300 charging stations that are distributed throughout the city.
Although this is only the tip of the iceberg, since the city also promotes the installation of solar panels on the roofs of homes and the consumption of organic food from home-grown or local farmers. Likewise, it is possible to find clothes made with ecological materials.
3. Stockholm, Sweden.
Stockholm is a city famous for its cleanliness. In it, you will rarely find garbage on the sidewalk, the streets are always in good condition, and the air you breathe is fresh and clear. Without a doubt, one of the cleanest cities you can visit in the world, so it is not surprising that it is one of the greenest cities in Europe and that it was the first city in the European Union to win the European Green Capital Award in 2010.
The city is aiming to be completely fossil fuel free by 2050, having biofuel conversion plants from wastewater among its initiatives to achieve this, as well as reusing the waste heat produced by data centres, stores and stadiums to provide heating to its residents.
4. Berlin, Germany.
Berlin is a city where green spaces and the urban landscape meet perfectly, as it has more parks than any other city in Europe. But this city is one of the greenest in the world not only because of its parks, but also because in its culture, the residents are passionate about recycling and having a sustainable environment. So, for example, it is possible to see how residents have become self-sufficient to the point of growing their own food.
On the other hand, it is a city marked by the increase in the number of electric cars, being able to find more than 400 charging points throughout Berlin, something that has encouraged many residents to consider switching to green cars, although even many residents are choosing to share them with each other as part of their attempt to save the planet.
5. Portland, Oregon, United States.
Portland is known as a bustling city with beautiful views and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, but also as one of the greenest cities in the world, which is due to the love of its residents for nature and everything ecological.
In fact, it has become one of the greenest places to live in the world and the greenest city in America thanks not only to its 92,000 acres of green space, or 74 miles of walking and running trails, but also to other initiatives such as, for example, the fact that 25% of city workers travel by bicycle, carpool or public transport, which has reduced the amount of emissions.
Another of the initiatives from the Office of Planning and Sustainability that it has maintained since 1991 is the reduction of the city’s dependence on fossil fuels, achieving to reduce carbon emission by 17% in 2018 compared to the value registered in 2006; quite an achievement considering a growing population and industry.
On the other hand, there are an estimated 250 miles of bike paths, which also makes getting around the city easier. It is also worth noting that the city produces 2,434,840 tons of waste and recovers 1,235,924 tons, representing staggering numbers. But as if this were not enough, 33% of the energy Portland uses is renewable energy and it has also banned plastic bags.
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