The editors of Travel Magazine ranked Ljubljana among the eight most sustainable cities in the world, which fills us with hope!
Population growth and consumerism have led to rising levels of pollution in our oceans, air and forests. Many cities have recognized their role in the problem and pledged to become more sustainable.
No city is perfect when it comes to eco-friendly efforts, but there are a few winners that can set an example for the rest of the world. That is the eight most sustainable cities in the world, including our green Ljubljana! Let's see what other cities are on this list, prepared by the editors of the magazine Travel Magazine.
1. Copenhagen, Denmark
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Denmark announced in 2019 that it wanted to become the first carbon neutral city by 2025. So far, he appears to be well on his way to achieving that goal. From 2005 to 2011, Kobenhaven reduced its carbon emissions by 21 percent.
The city promotes eco-awareness in various ways. Many residents choose bicycles as their primary form of transportation. Buses running through the city have switched from diesel to electric. In Copenhagen, taxis are available in the form of water-powered boats and solar-powered electric boats. Here is also famous CopenHill. This landmark is actually a "garbage power plant" that also has a year-round ski slope on its roof.
All this gives Copenhagen the well-deserved title of the most sustainable city in the world.
2. Singapore
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Singapore holds the title "the most sustainable city in Asia". The city has an ambitious goal of becoming the greenest city in the world. At the beginning of the 21st century, Singapore started an environmentally friendly initiative, including mandatory "green building". Because Singapore is so small, the focus was to replace any green points lost on the ground with those in the air. And what does it look like? Gardens on the roofs of most buildings, as well as buildings wrapped in greenery.
Singapore aims for 80 percent of buildings to have an environmental performance rating, called, by 2030 Green Mark. Singapore's rating system, introduced in 2005, is only awarded to buildings that:
- reduce water, energy and material consumption;
- reduce hidden environmental conflict;
- they increase the quality of living indoors.
The city also announced in 2013 that in less than 15 years, 85 percent of all residents will live less than 400 meters from the public park. This will be an especially impressive achievement considering the city's small size and population density!
3. Stockholm, Sweden
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Stockholm is not only a sustainable city in itself, but also encourages tourists to be sustainable! Stockholm is considered to have the most eco-friendly hotels in one place. As of last count, the city has as many as 90 eco-friendly hotels.
In addition, they want to eliminate the use of fossil fuels in Stockholm until 2040. They intend to achieve this goal by switching to biofuels. Currently, the city has started producing biofuel from sewage waste, which would propel cars around the city. They also "recycle" waste heat from its 30,000-seat stadium. This is intended to heat more than 1,000 homes.
The authorities in Stockholm really know how to deal with the environment and how to move towards a more conscious future.
4. Reykjavik, Iceland
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Iceland is advanced in many ways. It has been the country with the smallest gap in the gender index for six years in a row. It is also a country that focuses on sustainable development, which is most noticeable in Reykjavik.
By 2040, this city should eliminated all greenhouse gas emissions. Among other things, the plan includes a strong, reliable hydrogen-powered public transportation system.
Reykjavik is also doing everything it can to encourage cycling and walking around the city. The city has invested millions in new bike lanes and offers free parking and tax breaks for public servants with electric cars. Furthermore, only 0.1 percent of Iceland's total electricity is produced by fossil fuels. Namely in Reykjavik geothermal wells used to convert water into electricity. This sustainable practice helps the city use clean energy to heat homes and light the streets.
It is clear that Iceland's largest city is ready to set an example for the rest of the world.
5. Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Our Ljubljana is known for many things - stunning nature, the castle, friendly people and historical architecture. And the next time you visit, look around at how clean and green it is.
Ljubljana since 2008 reduced the amount of waste, which he sends to the landfill, by 80 percent. The goal is to continue, eventually, until 2025, and reduce the amount of waste to 60 kg per person. In 2014, Ljubljana was also the first EU capital to accept the goal of Zero Waste. The city's waste management organization even has one machine without waste, which sells sustainable cleaning products to customers who bring reusable containers.
In addition, more than 50 percent of Ljubljana is dedicated to green areas and parks. To transition to more sustainable practices, the city quickly developed more than 230 kilometers of bike paths.
Our capital is so determined to preserve its natural beauty that it is taking some really exciting steps.
6. Helsinki, Finland
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Helsinki is a modern city that strives to maintain a sustainable environment through its urban growth. Tourism is a big industry in Finland, so Helsinki focuses on environmentally friendly accommodation. It is estimated that 75 percent of all hotel rooms in the city are certified as environmentally friendly.
This city helps residents play their part in a sustainable future through cycling and easy public transport. This allows them to give up their cars without any inconvenience.
Helsinki is also experimenting with a "completely environmentally friendly" neighborhood. The neighborhood Viikki it acts as a kind of protected space, as it is an important location for nesting and migrating birds in the city. This "green neighborhood" started as a project in 2004. All multi-apartment buildings were built from non-toxic and natural materials. The road surfaces were made from waste materials, the heating comes from a geothermal source of renewable energy, and rainwater and waste are recycled. Today, apartment buildings throughout Viikki are experimenting with new solar and wind energy systems.
This small eco-friendly neighborhood is just one example of Helsinki's commitment to a sustainable future.
7. Vancouver, Canada
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Vancouver is a beautiful city surrounded by oceans, mountains and forests. In the city, they want to do everything they can to preserve their natural environment, so they have taken many measures to improve sustainability. In the last decade, Vancouver increased the number of cycling routes along main streets, making cycling more convenient for residents. In addition, they began to appear around the city charging stations, as more and more locals use electric vehicles. Vancouver residents can get a tax refund when they buy an electric car, making the eco-friendly vehicle that much more appealing.
In 2008, the city introduced carbon tax, which applies to every purchase of fossil fuels. This tax is still in place today and has grown considerably over the past two decades.
It's clear that Vancouver is doing everything it can to preserve its city's green spaces for the long term.
8. Vienna, Austria
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If you've ever been to Vienna, you'll know why this beautiful city occupies a place on this list. Almost 50 percent of Vienna is dedicated to green areas such as parks, urban farms and gardens. In addition, public transport has excellent connections. It is estimated that half of the population opts for public transport for daily tasks.
In 2020, Vienna took first place in the Resonance Consultancy Greenest Cities ranking and was awarded the title the greenest city in the world. The study found that an impressive 30 percent of Vienna's energy comes from from renewable sources energy. Vienna also gives priority locally produced food, and the city has 135 farmers markets.
Austria plans to install more than one million roofs with solar panels across the country in the next year. The government also plans to make Austria carbon neutral by 2040. Vienna seems to be taking the lead in the country's sustainable future.
