As cities across the globe ramp up sustainability efforts, top standouts employ initiatives such as adding green space, boosting access to local produce and organic foods, prioritizing zero waste initiatives and offering an array of sustainable public transit options.
Scandinavia boasts many of the world’s greenest cities. Sweden made history as the world’s first country to pass an environmental protection act in 1967 and hosted the first United Nations conference on the global environment in 1972. Today the Swedish government aims to go fossil-free by 2045 and achieve 100 percent renewable energy.
Gothenburg ranked as the world’s most sustainable destination for the sixth year in a row in the Global Destination Sustainability Index, while Stockholm took honors as the world’s most sustainable city in 2022, according to the economics and sustainability magazine Corporate Knights. Stockholm’s commuter trains, trams and metro are powered by 100 percent clean energy, and the city has a goal of having a park or green space within 300 meters (984 feet) of every resident. Stockholm also encourages urban farming with its abundant community gardens.
Meanwhile, Denmark aims to be entirely independent of fossil fuels by 2050. Last year solar and wind energy generated nearly 60 percent of the country’s electricity. Denmark also boasts the highest consumption of organic food in the world per capita. Its capital, Copenhagen, leads the world’s cities with the greatest number of cyclists, with 62 percent of its residents commuting to work or school on two wheels.
Oslo, Norway, is truly a green city, with 1 million trees growing within its urban zone. Oslo also has a goal of zero emissions by 2030. Outside Scandinavia, other European cities leading in sustainability efforts include Amsterdam, with its 300-plus miles of bike paths; Vienna, with more than 130 farmers markets; Berlin, which boasts more parks than any other city in Europe; and Paris, which features 900 miles of bike lanes and aims to ban gas-powered cars by 2030.
In Asia, Tokyo and Singapore both garner attention for sustainability efforts. Tokyo aims to be the green city of the future with 50 percent renewable energy use by 2030 and phasing out gas-only cars. Singapore touts its OneMillionTrees movement, launched in 2020, aiming to plant 1 million additional trees by 2030.
Vancouver leads the way in North America, with its sights set on becoming the most sustainable destination on the planet. By 2050, 100 percent of the city’s energy use will be derived from renewable sources. Zero Waste 2040 is another vision. Down the coast, San Francisco’s Muni transit operates the greenest fleet of any city in North America. Its CleanPowerSF is poised to deliver a 100 percent renewable electric supply by 2025.
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Dec 13, 2024The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota Launches Holiday Programming
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota invites travelers to experience the magic of the holiday season with a full lineup of festive programming.
Sponsored Content
Royal Air Maroc Relaunches Direct Casablanca–Beijing Route, Debuts Toronto Flight
As part of its international network expansion, Royal Air Maroc will reinstate the direct Casablanca–Beijing route initially launched in January 2020 and suspended just a few weeks later due to the health crisis.
Daily
Dec 13, 2024Rediscover Bambu Indah: Transformative Luxury and Green Beauty in Ubud’s Agrarian Riverside
Bambu Indah is a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel high on the Sayan Ridge, 15 minutes from the town of Ubud on the island of Bali in Indonesia. Surrounded by rice paddies, nestled among jungle trees and situated along the great Ayung River, Bambu Indah is an authentic nature sanctuary.
Daily
Dec 13, 2024Taste Your Way Through Japan with These Unique Experiences
Ever wanted to embark on an udon-tasting journey around one of Japan’s prefectures? How about a soy-sauce tasting on an island? Up your trip to Japan with these unique, culinary-inspired experiences, sure to leave you with a full belly and some good stories.
Sponsored Content
United Airlines First to Purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel for ORD
Chicago O’Hare International Airport will soon receive sustainable aviation fuel, all thanks to United Airlines, which became the first airline to purchase SAF for use at the airport, one of the largest in the United States. Neste, a producer of SAF, will provide up to 1 million gallons of its Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The first supply arrived in August.
Daily
Dec 12, 2024Indulge in Holiday Decadence at London’s St. James’s Hotel & Club, an Althoff Collection Hotel
The elegant, 5-star St. James’s Hotel & Club, an Althoff Collection Hotel, rolls out the Yule Tide welcome log this season with holiday treats that include special menus, caroling, a Festive Afternoon Tea, and views from its roof gardens and private suite terraces of New Year’s Eve fireworks bursting over the city. Decorated Christmas trees and baskets of clementines adorn guestrooms and suites, and this year’s Nutcracker theme will be evident in tree ornaments, banister decorations and red-and-green nutcracker figurines greeting guests as they arrive at the hotel.
6 Raffles Hotels & Resorts for Holiday Experiences
Daily
Dec 12, 2024Orient Express Announces First-Ever Hotel
Daily
Dec 12, 2024Canne Bianche Lifestyle & Hotel Review
eFlyer Reviews
Dec 11, 2024eFlyer News
Dec 11, 2024Air France & KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Partner with Kolet for Mobile Connectivity
Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced a new partnership with Kolet, a French eSIM technology specialist, to offer reliable mobile connectivity in more than 190 countries.
Sponsored Content
Extraordinary Egypt
ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME JOURNEY INTO THE ANCIENT WORLD OF THE PHARAOHS
eFlyer News
Dec 11, 2024Viking Names and Delivers Newest Ship in Italy
It’s been a month to remember for Viking, with the luxury cruise line announcing the name and delivery of its newest ocean ship, Viking Vela. The new boat joins Viking’s growing fleet of award-winning ocean ships and will spend her inaugural season sailing in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
ShareThis