April is Earth month so I thought it would be interesting to discover the 10 most sustainable cities in the world, surprisingly some incredibly close to home. A new study by Uswitch has revealed the top green cities in the world, based on energy sources, public transport, green spaces, pollution, air quality, CO2 emissions, and affordability. Read on to find out which cities have come out on top as the most sustainable in the world.

Ranked #1 in the world is Canberra, which scored 427 out of 600, all thanks to the city’s excellent public transport service, low pollution levels and CO2 emissions, a large percentage of green space, and renewable and sustainable energy sources. The city runs on solar power and nearby wind farms, and they’re also aiming to have a net-zero carbon emission by 2045. 

The Spanish capital Madrid comes in second with a score of 403 out of 600. The city has made great strides in creating sustainable initiatives, including the protection of green spaces and the use of sustainable energy for transport services. Madrid has banned polluting diesel vehicles from the city centre. Instead of using cars, residents are encouraged to use the extensive bicycle-sharing network or hop on the electric-powered buses. 

Brisbane came in third, with its low pollution rates, excellent public transportation, and use of solar power energy. Brisbane is also committed to protecting and preserving a large expanse of natural habitats filled with native plants and wildlife. 

While Dubai is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, it came in fourth, thanks to its extensive public transport network, a large number of green spaces, great air quality, and use of renewable energy. The city also has a housing development called ‘Sustainable City’, which recycles all its water and waste and produces more energy than it uses.

Denmark’s capital is ranked #5. Copenhagen (photo above right) is set to become the first CO2–neutral city by 2025. More people use bicycles than cars to get around. Roads are specifically built for biking, while electric bikes are sold at a low price. They eat greener, too, with organic produce making up 24% of total food sales in the city. Most restaurants sell organic food, while two-thirds of their hotels are eco-certified, meaning they follow the top standards for sustainable design, energy and food. 

Frankfurt comes in at #6. The city has even created a Green Belt, with around 200,000 trees that produce more oxygen and reduce CO2 in the atmosphere. They’re also preserving native bees and the region’s biodiversity, with many locations across the city housing beehives on their rooftops. 

#7 in Hamburg. Its extensive green network of parks, gardens and wildlife corridors covers 40% of the city. It aims to make it possible to explore Hamburg entirely on bike or foot in a beautiful, green environment.
Prague at #8 has introduced electric-powered buses, and you can get around the city with their bike-sharing program. The city even has a fantastic beekeeping initiative, with many homes and businesses housing beehives. It’s known as ‘Czech honey’ and has even won several awards!
Abu Dhabi at #9 is a hub for clean-tech companies and green spaces, and it’s largely powered by solar energy and other renewable energy sources.

Zurich rounds out the top ten. The Swiss city is an eco-friendly oasis, with 80% of its electricity coming from renewable energy sources. Plus, over 40% of the city’s waste gets recycled, and over 70% of its hotels are sustainable-certified.

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