When we started Travel Leap and our travels around the world we decided that we didn’t only want to travel for the sake of it or without consciously thinking of how it would impacts the environment around us. As travellers we are conscious that the choices we make are important, from what we consume to the places we visit.
Recently we have been looking at which destinations, countries and cities, rank as the most sustainable and green, so to inform our future trips. We would like to share with you a list of the 10 greenest cities in the world, cities that are thinking about sustainability in their urban planning, that are committed to recycling and that invest in conservation and education.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is at the top of every list and has won so many awards for its eco credentials, making it undoubtedly the queen of sustainability. Its large recycling infrastructure and the cleanliness of the harbour water are some of the elements that make the city a real example on sustainability, not to mention that 50% of the population uses bicycles instead of cars.
Essen, Germany
Nominated European greenest city of 2017, Essen is a model in terms of green infrastructure and working with nature to create green urban areas incorporating sustainable land use.
Amsterdam, Holland
That everyone rides bicycles in Amsterdam is not a news, making this city a fresh of breath air. On top of that, many households produce energy from solar panels and small-scale wind turbines. Additionally energy efficient systems are installed in most households to cut down the usage and save electrical energy.
Vancouver, Canada
With the ambition to become the greenest city in the world by 2020, Vancouver has stepped up is renewable energy consumption and now hydroelectric energy makes up 93% of all electrical requirements of the city. With over 200 parks, Vancouver has green areas all around the city where to breath in the clean air and enjoy nature.
Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm is an example in so many areas. Since 1995 it has cut down the emission of greenhouse gases by 25%; the city transforms waste into biogas, that can be used to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels. The council’s vision is to make the city fossil fuel free by 2050.
Curitiba, Brazil
Since the 70s the local council has promoted green policies and planned the city in order to have 12 acres of green space per 1000 inhabitants. Curtiba is recognized as Brazil’s greenest city, also thanks to its local transport system and cycling and pedestrian areas.
Reykjavik, Iceland
All of Reykjavik hot water, heating, and electricity comes from hydropower and geothermal resources, making it the largest geothermal heating system in the world.
San Francisco, USA
On a mission to make the city zero waste by 2020 (and being already 78% there), in 2007 San Francisco has been the first US city to ban plastic bags. Mandatory recycling and composting has been around for a decade and a ban on plastic water bottles looks imminent.
Oslo, Norway
Oslo council has committed to make the city carbon neutral by 2020. The production of biogas from organic waste and fossil fuel from sewages indicates how close the Oslo to this goal. Additionally, two-thirds of Oslo city is made of protected green and forest areas.
Singapore
Asia’s greenest city and definitely one of the cleanest one, in a continent that heavily struggles with plastic pollution. Singapore is committed to maintain the green spaces in the city and to recycling.
Happy travels!
Asja & JP
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