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Copenhagen is a small city with great wisdom. When it comes to environmental protection, Copenhagen has a clear goal – to be the first in the world by 2025
Carbon-neutral capital.
Amalienborg Palace, Copenhagen. Image credit: Wonderful Copenhagen
Recently, the British investment management firm Schroders released the "first Sustainable European Cities Index", and the Danish capital Copenhagen ranked fourth. The Dutch capital, Amsterdam, topped the list, while London and Paris ranked second and third respectively. (Click "Read the original article" at the end of the article to see the top 20 city rankings)
In the "First European Sustainable Cities Index" released by Schroders, the Danish capital Copenhagen ranked fourth. Image credit: Schroders
The inaugural European Sustainable Cities Index ranking covers 59 European cities with a population of over one million and covers 13 environmental policies, including renewable energy consumption targets, cleaner public transport, public electric vehicle charging stations, single-use plastics, air quality, climate planning, carbon neutrality targets and waste policies.
Hugo Machin, Co-Head of Global Real Estate Securities, Schroders
"This index ranks European cities and is of great significance. These cities will provide residents with a high quality of life while minimizing their impact on the environment. ”
As one of the host cities of the United Nations Climate Conference, Copenhagen has been called "the most livable city in the world" for its developed new energy technology and low-energy transportation system. How did Copenhagen achieve these results in terms of sustainable development?
#可持续能源之城
To ensure a vibrant and environmentally friendly future, sustainable energy is the only option for the future. Copenhagen has taken a number of measures in recent years to promote development with affordable, accessible and sustainable energy sources.
For example, the Avedǿre power plant in Copenhagen diverts coal to biomass, facilitating carbon neutrality in the city's district heating. Denmark also stopped free plastic bags at the beginning of this year, and if necessary, must pay 4 crowns (about 3 yuan) for each plastic bag. At the same time, lightweight plastic bags that cannot be recycled are prohibited.
The port of Esbjerg, Denmark, is about to be built as the largest Power-to-X facility in Europe to date. Image source: visitdenmark
As a wind powerhouse, Denmark is also home to the world's leading wind turbine manufacturers and suppliers, with around 500 wind power companies headquartered in Denmark, covering all sectors of the wind power industry, forming a unique global supply chain and a well-connected all-round service network.
In 2026, the largest Power-to-X facility in Europe to date will be completed in Esbjerg, Denmark. The endless supply of wind energy in the North Sea will be converted into agricultural green ammonia and shipping green fuels, which will be injected into the land agriculture and forestry, traffic ships and further afield.
#绿色智能的宜居城市
Copenhagen was voted "UNESCO World Capital of Architecture 2023" by UNESCO and the International Union of Architects. In addition, Copenhagen will host the World Congress of Architects in 2023.
The theme of the World Congress of Architects in Copenhagen is "A Sustainable Future – Leaving No One Behind", which means that Copenhagen will focus on the role of architecture in sustainable urban planning and use architecture as an important tool for achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
Copenhill, new waste-to-energy plant in Copenhagen. Image credit: Astrid Maria Rasmussen
Copenhagen is full of sustainable buildings that define how to build more inclusive and renewable buildings. CopenHill, also known as The Archer Bakke, is a new type of waste-to-energy plant topped with ski slopes, hiking trails and climbing walls.
In terms of wastewater treatment, Copenhagen stores rainwater in existing facilities or diverts it to other regions, minimizing disaster losses while generating revenue.
In addition, polluters have to pay taxes on every kilogram of discharges discharged, strict regulation has greatly improved the aquatic environment, salmon can breed in danish rivers and streams, the water quality of the seas around Copenhagen and inland rivers has always been very suitable for swimming, and some public baths have even reached the standard of direct drinking water.
#绿色出行城市
Copenhagen is a truly green city, surrounded not only by clear skies and parks, but also by environmentally friendly and nature-loving citizens. Regardless of the season you can see Copenhageners riding bicycles, this is the Copenhagen way of life. Copenhagen citizens are exemplary in combining sustainable development with economic growth and a quality of life.
Copenhagen plans to get 75% of its citizens on foot, by bike or by public transport by 2025. At the same time, Copenhagen is constantly building new bike lanes and encouraging companies to use e-bikes, making it the most bike-friendly city in the world.
Bicycle pedals at intersections. Image credit: Supercykelstisekretariatet
Foot pedaling at intersections first began in Copenhagen and then spread to other Danish cities. Installed on the side of the intersection stop line, these footpegs provide riders with an extra touch of green light waiting time.
Today, two-thirds of Copenhagen's residents use bicycles as a means of transportation to work or school; the combined number of miles city dwellers ride around the globe 31 times a day.
#方方面面的可持续
In fact, all sectors of Danish society are interpreting their understanding of sustainability in interesting and novel ways. In the art world, Copenhagen designer Thomas Dambo has made huge forest spirits from many discarded materials, interpreting the idea that "garbage can also make interesting things".
In the gastronomic world, the annual Copenhagen Food Festival hosts the Freja Symposium, which provides a platform for women in the food industry who want to promote sustainable development, which both promotes sustainable cuisine, reduces food waste and promotes gender equality.
In 2020, Michelin awarded 14 Danish restaurants a new sustainability mark, a reward for restaurants that are at the forefront of sustainable cooking or are taking more environmentally friendly measures. Image credit: Food Nation
In the fashion world, many Danish designers have eschewed fast fashion, paving the way for sustainable fashion, designing and producing high-end clothing while paying attention to environmental friendliness. Copenhagen Fashion Week also continues the discussion on sustainable fashion and the industry's social responsibility, providing actionable advice to fashion executives and regulators.
In 2015, the 193 member countries and territories of the United Nations began implementing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Over the past six years, all sectors of Denmark have made an outstanding contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Image source: colorbox
With the remaining nine years of the UN's SDGs agenda, we will work together to complete the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 sub-goals that countries around the world have worked together to achieve peace, end poverty and build a green world of greater human well-being by 2030.
Some of the images and text sources
Danish Investment Promotion Agency
Schroders
Wonderful Copenhagen
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Sina Weibo: Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark in Beijing
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