The greenest cities. The greenest city in the world The greenest city in the world

It is only natural that we all want to live in a clean and healthy environment, but unfortunately, our planet is slowly turning into a giant garbage dump. While the overall assessment is undoubtedly sad, the good news is that there are still a few places on the planet that are clean, tidy and unpolluted.

However, keeping your city clean and tidy usually requires much more than just a few government regulations and public notices. It is also the responsibility of local residents to take part in this process and not harm the environment as much as possible.

To show you a few cities that have already succeeded in creating a cleaner environment and making their residents happier and healthier, this is a list of the cleanest cities in the world.

From spotlessly clean and green northern European cities like Stockholm and Reykjavik, to amazingly clean cities in Africa and Asia, here are the 25 cleanest cities on the planet!

25. Zurich, Switzerland

Let's start this list with a city that is largely considered one of the cleanest and greenest cities in the world.

Home to almost 400,000 people, Zurich is known for its ongoing optimization and creation of environmentally friendly public transport stops, expansion of the cycling network, research and projects on renewable energy, motorway fencing and so on.

24. Wellington, New Zealand


The capital and one of New Zealand's largest cities, Wellington has a reputation for being clean and tidy, with a range of natural attractions that are well preserved and maintained.

More than a third of local residents use public transport instead of private vehicles, which significantly reduces air pollution in the region.

23. Ifrane, Morocco


Of the few African cities that boast a clean environment, Ifrane is probably the most famous.

Situated on the Middle Atlas mountain range at an altitude of 1,665 meters above sea level, Ifrane has no industrial facilities, so locals and tourists can enjoy unpolluted air and water.

The city is also a popular ski resort as it is covered with snow in winter.

22. Oslo, Norway


Norway's capital is known as one of the most expensive cities in the world, but those who can afford to live here will enjoy fresh air and a completely clean environment.

Oslo is easy to get around using public transport or rented bicycles. In 2007, Oslo was even ranked second on the list of the greenest and most livable cities compiled by the popular American monthly family magazine Reader's Digest.

21. Hierro, Spain


Technically, Hierro is not a city, as it is one of the Canary Islands (belonging to Spain), which has attracted worldwide attention by building hydro and wind power plants that can provide electricity to residents 24 hours a day.

Known for its dense ancient forests and volcanic rocks, the island is a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

20. Freiburg, Germany


Home to 220,000 people, Freiburg is known as the sunniest and warmest city in Germany. It is also valued for its beautiful parks, clean streets, fresh air and excellent environmental conditions.

Situated in the heart of the main wine-growing region of Baden, it serves as the main starting point for tourists to the beauty of the picturesque Black Forest mountain range.

19. Toronto, Canada


Toronto is clear proof that even a huge metropolis with more than 2.6 million residents can be clean and tidy.

Known for its environmental innovation, Toronto has been particularly successful in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The city also has a very efficient and comprehensive public transport system, which makes a significant contribution to maintaining a clean environment.

18. Amsterdam, Netherlands


With over 600,000 rental bikes throughout the city, Amsterdam is considered a paradise for cyclists, and it is this unusual practice that helps keep the city remarkably clean.

In 2012, Amsterdam even took second place in the list of the best cities to live, compiled by the analytical company Economist Intelligence Unit, and 12th in the list of the best cities for quality of life for environment and infrastructure, compiled by the international consulting company Mercer.

17. Brisbane, Australia


Most Australian cities boast a clean environment with relatively low levels of all types of pollution. What sets Brisbane apart, however, is the fact that it is clean and tidy despite its size (its population is over 2.3 million). The city has several large parks, botanical gardens and other green recreation areas.

16. Portland, Oregon, USA


Referred to as the "City of Roses," Portland is often recognized as one of the most sustainable cities in the world, thanks to its highly walkable, large cycling community, farm-to-table movement, extensive public transportation network and more. 4,000 hectares of public parks.

15. Stockholm, Sweden


Considered one of the cleanest capital cities in the world, Stockholm received the European Green Capital Award from the European Commission in 2010, becoming Europe's first green capital.

Applicants were assessed on several criteria, such as climate change, local transport, public green spaces, air quality, noise, waste, land management, biodiversity and others.

14. Nottingham, UK


The United Kingdom also has several cities that boast an unpolluted environment and clean streets. One of them - Nottingham - is located in Central England.

The city has launched numerous projects to tackle litter and graffiti issues, and even won the "Britain's Cleanest City" award in 2014.

13. Kobe, Japan


Known as the cleanest city in Japan, Kobe has one of the world's most efficient waste management systems. Since local residents are very concerned about preserving the environment, the streets are always clean.

Although the city is a huge metropolis, inhabited by more than 1.5 million people, it has many beautiful green areas for recreation.

12. Luxembourg, Luxembourg


Called the "green heart of Europe", Luxembourg is the capital of the state of Luxembourg (officially known as the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg). The city boasts a number of well-preserved ancient castles and verdant forests, and last year it was declared the third cleanest city in the world.

11. Calgary, Canada


Calgary has regularly been ranked among the cleanest cities in the world for the past few years, and there's a good reason for that. Local residents are taught five basic principles to follow to keep the environment clean and healthy. These 5 points are the quality of sewerage, potability and availability of water, waste removal and recycling, traffic jams and air pollution.

10. Singapore


The world's only island-state, Singapore is known for having a number of strict rules regarding environmental issues and the city's cleanliness, including a ban on chewing gum. Almost 10% of Singapore's land is dedicated to parks and nature reserves.

The city has also launched several greening campaigns to plant trees to improve the quality of life.

9. Curitiba, Brazil


While Brazil is unlikely to ever be classified as a clean country, there is one exception - the city of Curitiba. Local governments are encouraging their residents to keep their city clean by allowing bags of sorted trash to be exchanged for food and bus tokens.

As a result, up to 70% of city waste is recycled. Recycling paper, for example, saves the equivalent of 1,200 trees per day.

8. Geneva, Switzerland


Geneva is known as one of the richest, most expensive, livable and safe cities in the world, but the city stands out for something else: its environmental efforts and cleanliness.

One of the cleanest cities in the world, Geneva is home to The Geneva Environment Network - a network of global organizations working on the environment and sustainable development.

7. Vienna, Austria


The capital and largest city of Austria, Vienna has a population of approximately 1.8 million people, but the city is regularly ranked among the cleanest cities in the world.

Over the past decades, Vienna has invested heavily in its waste management system, and it is now bearing fruit. In addition, local residents are very concerned about environmental protection, so they help the authorities keep their city spotless and clean.

6. Reykjavik, Iceland


Located just outside the Arctic Circle, Iceland is one of the cleanest countries in the world, so it's not surprising to see its capital among the cleanest cities in the world.

There was no urban development here until the 19th century. Even now, Reykjavik remains one of the cleanest and greenest cities in the world, with virtually no air pollution.

5. Helsinki, Finland


Another Scandinavian city on this list, Helsinki, is the capital and largest city of Finland. Residents are true advocates for protecting the environment and keeping the streets clean and tidy.

In order to reduce the amount of electricity consumed to a minimum level, a comprehensive system was even developed to generate heat using electricity.

4. Honolulu, Hawaii, USA


With a population of nearly 340,000, Honolulu is the most remote major city in the world, as the closest mainland location is the Point Arena Lighthouse in California, 3,800 kilometers away.

Perhaps this extreme isolation is why Honolulu (and the entire state of Hawaii) is one of the cleanest and greenest places in the world.

3. Copenhagen, Denmark


The capital of Denmark, Copenhagen, is recognized as one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world. Thanks to its commitment to high environmental standards, Copenhagen has been praised for its green economy, becoming the greenest city for the second time in 2014, according to the Global Green Economy Index.

Thanks to significant investment in sewerage upgrades, the water quality in the city's harbor has improved to the point where it is now safe to swim in.

2. Chicago, Illinois, USA


With a population of more than 2.7 million, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States, but has a reputation for being very clean and environmentally friendly.

Chicago has greened more than 186,000 square meters of rooftops across the city, turning them into gardens to improve air quality. The city also encourages its residents to use public transport to reduce harmful emissions.

1. Hamburg, Germany


The second largest city in Germany, Hamburg has been praised for its long-standing efforts to protect the environment.

The city has set a goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 80% by 2050. The city also released details of plans to develop a "Green Network", which will mean that people will no longer have to use private vehicles to travel elsewhere in the city.




The Brazilian city of Curitiba has been on the world's radar over the past few weeks thanks to the hosting of several matches as part of the FIFA World Cup. And only a few know that this metropolis is considered the “green capital of the world.” And today we will talk about 5 most eco-friendly cities on the planet.

Curitiba, Brazil

The history of “green” Curitiba dates back to the seventies of the twentieth century. At a time when the rest of the world was expanding highways, building new interchanges and parking lots, giving preference to personal automobile transport, the mayor of this city, Jaime Lerner, arrogantly declared: “Curitiba is not for cars!” Having an architectural education, he personally took part in the development of a new master plan for the metropolis, which laid down the principles for the development of the city for the next decades.



This plan was truly revolutionary. For example, it envisaged not a reduction, but an expansion of green areas in the city, including in the central part of Curitiba, waste recycling, energy efficiency, support for producers and sellers of fresh food and, most importantly, transport reform.



The result was not long in coming. Nowadays, Curitiba is considered one of the most comfortable and comfortable cities in the world. And well-designed public transport in this city is used daily by more than 70 percent of passengers, which is an absolute world record among cities with a population of over 1 million people.



The city is so obsessed with efficiency in even the smallest aspects of public life that city lawns are mowed not by gasoline lawn mowers, but by live sheep.



Curitiba's unique transformation experience has inspired similar programs in hundreds of cities around the world. Lerner and his followers set the highest standard, which is almost impossible to reach.

Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver, Canada, comes closest to Brazilian Curitiba. Over the past decade, this locality has been recognized as “the best city on Earth” four times, which is the result of many years of painstaking work by city authorities and local businesses.



Located on the west coast of Canada, Vancouver has unique natural parameters that allow for the maximum development of wind, solar, and tidal energy. And on all the rivers and rivulets surrounding the city, hundreds of hydroelectric power stations of various sizes have been built. As a result, about 90 percent of the electricity Vancouver uses comes from renewable sources.



Vancouver authorities strongly support electric transport, including public transport. And the total length of bike paths in the city is approaching a thousand kilometers. The use of a personal car is condemned, but the use of a bicycle is strongly encouraged.



Vancouver is also known for its green spaces. The city has more than two hundred parks and squares, and the length of the landscaped embankment is 30 kilometers.

Reykjavik, Iceland

God himself ordered Reykjavik to be one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world! It is ironic that Iceland is a much greener island than Greenland, and Greenland is much more snowy and icy than Iceland.



Reykjavik, like many other places in Iceland, has many outlets of hot groundwater. This natural energy is used to generate electricity, heat water, heat homes, and even keep city sidewalks warm throughout the year.



But the residents of Reykjavik are not ready to limit themselves only to the benefits that nature generously provides them with. City governments and private entities invest millions of dollars annually in research into the efficient use of resources, as well as the introduction of new, smart technologies.



Many attribute these positive changes to the city's small size, which allows for rapid and efficient innovation. But city officials argue that this option only causes harm. After all, it is much more difficult for a tiny settlement to accumulate a large amount of money for an advanced infrastructure project. And there are a lot of them in Reykjavik! An example is the city bus system, but which only uses hydrogen-powered vehicles. Even in the richest cities, this is rare.

Another exciting project taking place in Reykjavík is an attempt to create a 5 square kilometer carbon neutral zone within the city.

By the way, even the aurora in Reykjavik is green!

Portland, Oregon, USA

The United States of America has never been particularly environmentally friendly. After all, they did not even sign the Kyoto Protocol, which limits emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere. But there are cities and regions in this country that put environmental safety on the list of priorities higher than the economy. One of them is Portland.



Portland has the nickname "City of Roses". After all, it was with these beautiful flowers that the townspeople’s love for everything green, pure and beautiful began. This passion has resulted in Portland being the cleanest, greenest major city in the entire United States.



Portland has a successful light rail and bus rapid transit system. Every year the network of bicycle paths grows by tens of kilometers. City authorities have set strict standards for carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. They have significantly reduced the tax burden for companies involved in the construction of energy-efficient buildings and other environmentally responsible businesses.



Green space in Portland covers 350 square kilometers, which is much more than half of the city's total area. The density of parks, squares and even forests in the city is so high that on the streets of this locality you can often find hares, foxes and other wild but harmless animals.

London, Great Britain

London, of course, is not yet among the top five greenest and most environmentally friendly cities in the world, but it will certainly appear there in the coming years. After all, it is impossible not to pay attention to the dramatic changes that are taking place in the British capital. The city, which a century ago was considered a symbol of thoughtless and harmful industrialization, where smog made it impossible to breathe properly, has now become an example for other megacities in terms of environmental and infrastructural innovation.



The London authorities, led by the extraordinary Boris Johnson, have set a clear course to transform London into the green capital of Europe. They limit in every possible way the use of personal motor vehicles and internal combustion engines in general in the city. For example, entry into the center of gasoline and diesel cars costs a lot of money, but electric and hybrid cars can pass completely free of charge.



London is trying to catch up and overtake traditionally cycling cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen. This locality could in the future become the world's first metropolis with highways, overpasses and multi-level bicycle interchanges running through the entire city. Moreover, Norman Foster personally took on the implementation of this.



There is also a program in London aimed at developing alternative energy sources. Builders are required to equip all new houses with solar panels on their roofs, and owners of existing buildings who decide to undergo such modernization receive tax and utility benefits from the city.


Every city has its own path to becoming green. Some, like Reykjavik, are lucky in terms of geography and natural resources. But still, city authorities play the main role in such a transformation. Somewhere there are single enthusiasts who decided to turn the world upside down, somewhere there are teams of like-minded people united by the desire to make the surrounding space better. At the same time, experience shows that changes should not be expected at the state level - it should always be an initiative from the local level.

Somewhere they decided to make their city “green” half a century ago, somewhere they only came to this idea now. But the tendency towards such a perception of the world is obvious. And the sooner the authorities and the residents of populated areas themselves take on this, the better for all of us.

October 24, 2013

The greenest city in Russia - Perm

For a long time, experts have conducted numerous studies of different cities around the world on the amount of green space. It is green plants and plantings that help purify the atmosphere, absorb carbon dioxide, and release oxygen.

They have a positive effect on the environment and also improve natural conditions for people living in the area. That is why green spaces are given such increased attention, both from the authorities and from citizens.

The greenest city is the city that has the largest number of green spaces. Based on the observations of specialists and geographers, it is currently possible to list several cities in Russia that lay claim to the title of the greenest city. These are Perm, Belgorod, Ufa, Krasnoyarsk, Khabarovsk, Kazan, Angarsk, Tyumen, Nizhnekamsk, Nizhny Novgorod and Novorossiysk. Among these green cities, Perm is considered the greenest.

More about Perm

Perm is a beautiful regional city. Local authorities do not skimp and actively finance the development of city squares and parks. That is why Perm is considered to be the greenest city in Russia. It has repeatedly won the competition “The Most Comfortable City in Russia.” In addition to a huge amount of green space, Perm boasts a fairly developed infrastructure.

Perm is a large industrial center. And despite this, more than half of its territory is occupied by green spaces. Places of public recreation in Perm are being actively improved. The volume of financing exceeds 400 million rubles. The total area of ​​green space in Perm is about 190 hectares. The system of public recreation places in Perm includes 31 squares, 5 parks and 5 gardens.

The local government believes that increasing green spaces in the city helps relieve citizens' stress and relax them. Local residents note that this is true: the green color pleases the eye, helps to relax, and fresh air allows you to cleanse your lungs and breathe deeply. Every resident of Perm definitely finds time to visit parks and squares. Many city guests make visiting parks their main goal of their visit to Perm.

Copenhagen

If we take into account the whole world, then there are green cities here. Among them are the following: Copenhagen (Denmark), London (UK), Sydney (Australia), Barcelona (Spain), Vancouver (Canada) and many others. However, Copenhagen is considered the undoubted favorite of specialists in this field.


Denmark is a very developed and promising country. In this country, wind energy is actively used to improve cities. Moreover, more than 90% of the generated energy is exported. In particular, Copenhagen is known for its developed environmental management system.

Its residents often use bicycles as personal transport. This is less expensive than cars and the subway, and is very good for health. Copenhagen is a green city. He actively fights climate change. Copenhagen is known throughout the world as a record holder for the number of green spaces. All parks, squares and gardens in Copenhagen are absolutely free for its residents and guests, which makes them even more attractive.

Among the most popular gardens and parks are the Royal Garden, Frederiksberg Garden, Deer Park, Felled, etc. Here, vacationers can free themselves from everyday problems, find harmony with nature, lie right on the green grass, socialize, go on rides, even dance.

The role of green

Psychologists believe that the color green generally has a very calming effect on people, helping them to relax and calm down. Therefore, green spaces also help improve mood. The authorities of Copenhagen are actively pursuing a policy of distributing green spaces, beautifying the city, improving its infrastructure, and improving public recreation areas.

That is why tourists from different cities and countries love to come here. More than 10% of the country's territory is occupied by green spaces. This is a pretty impressive figure. The vegetation of Copenhagen consists mostly of heather and ferns. All green spaces are protected. Tourists celebrate the natural beauty of Copenhagen. Traveling to this city can be compared to traveling into a fairy tale.

Perm and Copenhagen are two completely different cities. But they have one thing in common: a targeted focus on improving the environmental situation by planting a large number of green spaces.

Determining which city is the cleanest is not so easy. One of the most objective methods is an annual study with the support of the British Economist Intelligence Unit and Siemens Corporation: it has been conducted since 2009 and examines approximately 120 cities from different parts of the planet. But besides this, there are other studies. In general, settlements are assessed on approximately thirty parameters, including the use of public transport and renewable energy sources, the level of urban noise and concentrations of air pollutants, the volume of wastewater, and others. We decided to show you those cities that most often appear on the “green” lists.

TOP 1: Copenhagen

This city is one of the best to live in and one of the cleanest. Judge for yourself: in the capital of Denmark there is even an environmental police, and in general the city is more suitable for pedestrians and cyclists than for motorists.

In addition, Copenhagen has many “green” hotels and restaurants, and the rivers here are recognized as the cleanest in the country, even in comparison with other urban reservoirs in Denmark. What can we say: here you can order a rickshaw instead of a taxi:


And by 2025 it plans to become carbon neutral. By this time, about 500 organizations in the Danish capital will use only environmentally friendly technologies in their work.

TOP 2: Amsterdam

It’s not for nothing that they say that there are more bicycles here than people. And this is partly true: there are a huge number of “two-wheeled” horses here, and probably more than residents.


Of course, the statistics also reflect the bicycle rental service, however, Amsterdam residents often have more than one bicycle: usually for the city and for out-of-town trips.

TOP 3: Stockholm


Stockholm is the first city in the European Union to receive the European Green Capital Award. A program to improve the environment has been ongoing in the city since the 1970s, and by 2050 the authorities plan to completely switch the city to “green” energy and abandon fossil fuels.

TOP 4: Vancouver

It was in Vancouver that Greenpeace, an environmental movement, was born in the 1970s; here, in fact, the main office of this organization is located. Greenpeace maintains strict control over carbon dioxide emissions in the country, but in Vancouver it is the strictest compared to other Canadian cities. And, by the way, by 2020 in the capital of Greenpeace they plan to reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere by about 33%. Vancouver also makes the most of hydroelectric power, and is where green energy is moving forward across the country.

TOP 5: Oslo


In Oslo, “green” technologies are actively used in production, water quality is strictly controlled, and even waste is processed using the latest technologies and the most modern programs. Norwegian cities even have green border zones to protect wildlife. This is probably why the country has preserved such amazing pristine landscapes with fantastic fjords and northern lights.

TOP 6. San Francisco

San Francisco is the greenest city, and its history of “friendship” with ecology is very long: back in the 19th century, a special environmental group, the Sierra Club, was created.

San Francisco is one of the world leaders in the amount of recycled waste: this figure is 77%. Residents of the city are also “in solidarity” with the status of the greenest city in the States: the majority travel by bicycle or public transport.

TOP 7: Reykjavik


TOP 8: Berlin

In the German capital, almost all the streets are planted with trees; the city has approximately 2,500 parks and squares, covering an area of ​​approximately 5,500 hectares. Moreover, for almost 10 years you can only enter the city using transport that meets environmental standards. To do this, the car must have a special “green” sticker (plaque). It is issued at special points after you have read the documents for the car and its technical characteristics.

Why is it very important for a city to be green, i.e. environmentally friendly? The sustainability of energy resources is important for the survival of our future generations. The green movement is the only solution for a brighter tomorrow. There are many cities around the world that are dedicating large areas to green space and environmental projects, introducing renewable energy, promoting cycling or walking, and actively participating in recycling. I present to your attention a selection of the 10 greenest cities in the world.

Oslo, Norway

The Norwegian capital Oslo is surrounded by forested hills and lakes. Out of 454 square kilometers of total area, 242 square kilometers of this green city area is covered with dense forest. In fact, more than two-thirds of the city of Oslo are protected natural areas. Stricter environmental legislation in the city aims to preserve natural resources and natural beauty. Within Oslo there are a large number of parks, open areas and 343 lakes. The city government has a mission to make Oslo hydrocarbon neutral by 2020. Producing biogas from organic waste and sewage only confirms how close Oslo has come to this goal. Oslo also has over 700 public charging stations for electric vehicles. Electric taxis and buses will be introduced in the coming years.

Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is one of the greenest cities in Europe. This city is made up of more than 310 islands, some of which are famous for their picturesque sandy beaches. The government plans to build coastal parks to generate wind energy, designed to fully provide the city with electricity. Local residents are completely satisfied with Helsinki's air quality, but the use of renewable energy could improve air quality to new heights. The city's main environmental principles are aimed at protecting its natural environment and natural resources. Helsinki is also known for its high recycling rate. This not only reduces pollution, but also replenishes the city's energy needs. In the field of transport, citizens most often choose cycling or walking.

San Francisco, USA

High levels of waste recycling are the main reason for San Francisco's rise to the list of the world's greenest cities. The city government has a mission to make the city waste-free by 2020. Non-biodegradable plastic bags have been banned in the city since 2007. Effective environmental programs and policies in San Francisco actively encourage the use of renewable energy. In the near future, the city relies primarily on renewable energy sources, including solar energy, wind energy, biofuels and other sources. In this way, the city can become even greener and healthier than before. San Francisco also has a number of programs to encourage communities to use bicycles and electric vehicles. All these measures not only help you save money, but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

London, England

It is quite difficult to maintain green areas in a large city. Surprisingly, half of London is covered in greenery and covers 14,164 hectares of green space, including parks, wildlife habitats, nature reserves and gardens. These green spaces guarantee better biodiversity, no flooding, less pollution and better air quality. Kent Wind Farm in South East England is the largest offshore wind farm in the world, supplying electricity to the UK capital. This large wind farm produces enough energy to power 25% of all London homes. This renewable energy project also significantly reduces the city's carbon emissions. Actively promoting renewable energy and new green projects will make the city completely green by the next decade. You can also see hundreds of hybrid buses on the streets of London. In the coming years, even more of these buses will begin to operate around the city.

Reykjavik, Iceland

The Icelandic capital city of Reykjavik has the largest geothermal heating system in the world. In total, there are 30 active volcanoes in the country, the energy of which is used for heating. Icelanders rely mainly on hydrothermal energy rather than fossil fuels. In fact, 100 percent of Reykjavík's electricity needs are met by hydrogeothermal energy sources. The city's high availability of geothermal energy also satisfies the hot water needs of most residents. Using these renewable energy sources saves the city from excessive carbon emissions, making it completely green.

Curitiba, Brazil

The city of Curitiba in southern Brazil is known for its sophisticated urban planning. The city has 12 acres of green space per 1,000 residents, and a total of 400 square kilometers of green space. This creates better conditions for biodiversity, additional coolness and clean air. The popular Botanical Garden of Curitiba is home to 350,000 plant species. Curitiba's strict environmental laws protect its green spaces. Illegal logging and use of land with rare plant species is strictly prohibited. Curitiba is also famous for its efficient public transport system. Most of the population chooses buses to move around the city. This limits private car use and carbon emissions. Pedestrian paths and cycling routes are also widespread throughout Curitiba.

Vancouver, Canada

The coastal city of Vancouver is one of the greenest cities in the world. Renewable hydroelectric energy supplies 93% of the city's electrical requirements. Vancouver will continue to introduce more renewable energy sources to reduce its carbon footprint to its lowest levels. The city government and residents have an ambitious vision to make Vancouver the greenest city in the world by 2020. They also formed an effective team called GCAT to achieve their mission faster. This mission also offers thousands of green business jobs. By 2020, they aim to plant more trees, improve air and water quality, promote local food production and increase recycling in the city. Nowadays, the city government is rapidly expanding Vancouver's cycling infrastructure. The number of electric vehicles and charging stations in the city is also increasing year after year.

Stockholm, Sweden

The picturesque city of Stockholm is dedicated to green living and cleanliness. Stockholm covers an area of ​​6519 square kilometers, one third of which is green area. The city has 12 large parks, and residents receive maximum support from the city government to develop green space on their land. Stockholm was also the first city to receive European Green Capital status in 2010. This Scandinavian city is also famous for recycling waste and converting it into biogas. The government is focusing on increasing biogas production in the next few years to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Stockholm officials want to make city biofuels free by 2050. According to reports, the city has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 25% since 1990. The green city offers its residents and visitors eco-friendly urban transport and well-maintained cycling infrastructure. You can rent a city bike from hundreds of bike stations throughout Stockholm.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Bicycles have been an integral part of the culture of the city of Amsterdam for many decades. This is the most common way of moving in the city, whose infrastructure combines networks of canals and narrow streets. An extensive network of cycling and pedestrian roads covers the whole of Amsterdam. In fact, there are more bicycles in cities than there are residents. You can often see electric cars on the streets of Amsterdam, which can be charged at any of the 300 stations in the city. The Netherlands is also included in the list of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world.


In 2009, the Amsterdam city government launched a special project called "Smart City". The main goal of this project is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and conserve energy. To achieve this goal, authorities encourage recycling, installation of solar panels, use of electric vehicles, and travel by bus and bicycle. Most city residents rely on solar panels and small wind generators for energy. Most households are also equipped with an energy-saving system to save energy.

Copenhagen, Denmark

The Danish capital Copenhagen is considered one of the greenest and most bike-friendly cities in the world. The population of Copenhagen is 569,557 inhabitants. 50 percent of them prefer bicycles to cars. This is the most important form of transport in Copenhagen. As a result of the Danes' love of cycling, the city has very low carbon emissions. Biking and walking tours are the best way to explore this beautiful city. The city is trying to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2025. The Danes are also known for recycling and composting. This reduces energy consumption and environmental pollution. Copenhagen is focused on increasing the number of offshore wind turbines to reduce its use of oil and gas.


The Danes are building energy-efficient buildings to promote the concept of an eco-friendly city. These projects minimize energy losses in the heating and lighting process. The government is promoting the installation of advanced heating systems, new windows, solar panels and insulation in buildings. Copenhagen is also aiming to increase its use of biogas in the coming years, moving away from fossil fuels. It's no surprise that tourists can find plenty of green hotels in Copenhagen. More than 71 percent of hotel rooms in the city are labeled as environmentally friendly.

In continuation, read also about the most polluted cities on the planet in a separate selection.

November 12, 2016 | Categories: Places , Travel , Topper

 

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