The 10+ Greenest Cities in the World
Here’s some of the world’s greenest and most sustainable cities. Round of applause, yet again, for Scandinavia as four of the cities are located in that Nordic region.
We’ve put together a quick rundown of the cities and some places we think you might be interested in visiting next time you’re there.
Editor’s note: These spots are all taken directly from travelstoke®, a new app from Matador that connects you with fellow travelers and locals, and helps you build trip itineraries with spots that integrate seamlessly into Google Maps and Uber. Download the app to add any of the spots below directly to your future trips.
1. Copenhagen
Photo: Carmen Huter
Copenhagen is well known for its forward-thinking environmental regulations and planning. The city is moving forward with plans to be carbon-neutral by 2025.
Rosenborg Castle Gardens
Paoer Island
2. Amsterdam
Photo: Nick Scheerbart
Amsterdam is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world and has more bicycles than people. The city not only has a lack of hills, urban planners have designed the landscape with bikes in mind.
Rederij Lovers
Rederij LoversAmsterdam, NetherlandsWalking around the lovely streets of Amsterdam 😍
Parking in Amsterdam
3. Stockholm
Photo: Matias Larhag
Stockholm is one of the cleanest cities in the world and plans to be fossil fuel-free by 2050.
Stockholm City Hall
Stockholm City HallStockholm, Sweden“The Song and the Dance” at #Stockholm City Hall. #statue
Vaxholm
4. Vancouver
Photo: Josh Trommel
Vancouver is the cleanest city in Canada and one of the cleanest in the world. Their 10 point goal to sustainability can be read here.
English Bay
#sup #standuppaddle
Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre
5. Edinburgh
Photo: Keghan Crossland
The entire city centre of Scotland’s capital has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site which has resulted in bans on cars in the city centre and a core focus on dealing with emissions. Scotland has also implemented a national Zero Waste Scotland programme and a climate-change busting initiative aimed at making Edinburgh’s economy carbon-neutral by 2050.
The Meadows
Royal Botanic Garden
6. Berlin
Photo: michaelfoersterphotography
Like Edinburgh and other city centres around Europe, Berlin has an environmental zone which only allows vehicles that meet certain emissions standards to enter.
Berlin Cathedral Church
East Side Gallery
7. New York
Photo: Local Nomad
New York is the greenest large city in the US. Considering it’s population, its greenhouse gas emissions are low.
Canal Street
Main Street Park
8. Singapore
Photo: anniespratt
Singapore has is planning to have zero waste in landfills by the mid 21st century.
Haji Lane
Trick Eye Museum
9. Helsinki
Photo: Takashi Yasui
Finland has been focusing on sustainability since the late 1950s. They have a core focus on transportation and encourage the use of bicycles.
Senate Square
Bryggeri Helsinki
10. Oslo
Photo: Andrey Omelyanchuk
The city government has its Strategy for Sustainable Development which includes an aggressive program to protect its natural surroundings.
Bygdøy ferry
Bygdøy ferryOslo, NorwayOslo as seen from the ferry to Bygdøy Peninsula