Copenhagen is often touted as the world’s most eco-friendly city. By 2025, the Danish capital aims to become carbon-neutral, and they are well on their way to achieving this goal. Learn more about the world’s most eco-friendly city.
Thinking about moving abroad and eager to embrace a green lifestyle? You’re not alone! These days, more and more expats are tuning into the importance of climate change and environmental sustainability. Let’s look at what makes the Danish capital a remarkable place to live and work.
Copenhagen’s approach to sustainability is comprehensive, involving not just government and businesses but also the active participation of citizens. Through their commitment to reducing CO2 emissions, they have encouraged eco-friendly lifestyles.
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Related: The Ultimate Green Traveler’s Guide to Copenhagen
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Various policies support Copenhagen’s green initiatives, such as tax incentives for green businesses, renewable energy mandates, and building regulations encouraging energy efficiency. The city’s urban planning strategies, focusing on sustainability, have led to the development of eco-friendly communities. The district of Ørestad is one example of this, designed to minimize energy consumption while maximizing green space.
Ørestad is blessed with world-class architecture, stunning nature, cutting-edge examples of sustainable living, and an increasingly exciting food scene, Copenhagen’s city-within-the-city might be its best-kept secret. Built on former marshland – and in less than 20 years – this urban district continues to evolve and wow its residents as well as those visiting.
Let’s just look at some milestones:
- In 1998, the first construction project in Ørestad City begins.
- In 2002, the metro opens – by 2008, Ørestad station is Denmark’s fifth largest station, measured by passengers.
- In 2004, Ørestad’s first residents move into Karen Blixen Parken in Ørestad Nord.
- The same year, the Field’s shopping mall opens in Ørestad City.
- In 2006, Danish Broadcasting Corporation giant DR moves into Ørestad North.
- In 2010, the 8-House – designed by star architect Bjarke Ingels– opens in Ørestad South.
- In 2016, the Royal Arena opens in Ørestad South.
- 2018 – the Bellakvarter by COBE and Vilhelm Larsen architects shoots up around the Bella Center Copenhagen.
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Related: Denmark – the Cleanest Country in the World
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Copenhagen’s investment in cycling infrastructure is also a primary reason for its eco-friendly reputation. There are more than 375 kilometers of designated bike lanes and numerous bike-friendly policies.
Then things turned around with the 1973 global oil crisis, when oil prices quadrupled within a few days. The Danish Cyclist Federation proposed a citywide bike network, and Copenhagen started creating more bike lanes. During the 1980s, driven largely by civil servants, the city developed a bikeway plan and 240 km of cycle lanes, and worked to improve cycling safety at intersections. Between 1990 and 2000, the total distance traveled by bicycle increased by 40%, while related injuries dropped by 30%.
Then, in 2005, Copenhagen elected a new mayor on a platform that promoted cycling, and cycling promotion was on the political agenda for the first time. That year, the city started promoting cycling to residents, as a way of reducing congestion and pollution and improving quality of life. You can find out more about the city’s bike-wide scheme through the Copenhagenize Index.
Another reason why expats may be enticed to Denmark’s capital is the city’s commitment to renewable energy. The 2025 Climate Plan focuses on energy efficiency, renewable energy production, green mobility, and exemplary use of energy by city government. Setting carbon-reduction goals for each area, the plan then shows, area by area and project by project, how the activities will reduce CO2.
Finally, Copenhagen’s devotion to providing green spaces within the city has not only made it beautiful but has also had positive effects on the health and well-being of its residents. With parks like Frederiksberg Gardens, the Botanical Gardens and the Waterfront restauration, residents have access to abundant green spaces, offering opportunities for recreation and relaxation. Community gardens foster social cohesion, enabling citizens to grow their vegetables and herbs. This practice further strengthens the bond between urban living and nature. In Copenhagen, the green roof policy has led to the creation of living roofs across the city. These roofs not only reduce heating and cooling costs but also increase biodiversity.
The World’s Most Eco-Friendly City, compiled by Tor Kjolberg