Is Copenhagen the World's Most Sustainable City?

By 2050, 70% of the world’s population will live in urban areas (up from 50% now). With the climate crisis worsening, how can we support urbanization in a sustainable way? Copenhagen, Denmark is a city implementing strategies that could be a model for the future of cities.

Climate change is driven by carbon emissions, so Copenhagen is embracing green energy, public transportation, and environmentalism as keys to urban sustainability. If it gets to net zero emissions, it could provide a roadmap for green cities worldwide. 2/3 of the world's carbon emissions come from cities, and with many countries in the developing world undergoing urbanization at the same time as economic development, urban sustainable development is an issue of high importance.

What do you think - what global city is the best template for the city of the future? Or do you prefer rural living? Let us know what you think in the comments and stay tuned for more stories in Freethink's new original series the Future of Cities.

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[freethink]

How should we make cities more sustainable?

[Jl]

They mean business when they say that the residents of Copenhagen are trying to become a clean city. When I was with my Danish friend walking around Copenhagen I put a plastic bottle in the regular thrash can. He looked at me and asked me what I was doing, proceeds to take out the bottle, and places it in the recycling machine. He then looks at me and says: "this is how we do it in Denmark."

[gildashounmanou]

As a non-Danish Copenhagener I'm so proud of my two bikes 😃

[Maaarrina]

Was in Copenhagen last week! Shocked to see how many people bike and how clean the city in general is. The people are incredibly nice and kind as well. Think Copenhagen might just be the best city I’ve ever visited by far.

[tehDropzzz]

Leaving a comment here just so youtube algorithm can put this video higher and more people can see it!

[wonderingmonitor]

Copenhagen is really leading the way. I've been there in June (also off the beaten path) and can confirm it is a very liveable, green city. Not the cheapest place of course, but nothing in life is without a price. In my opinion, well worth the price: cool vibes, you can really tell that its inhabitants want to move in this sustainable direction. Still considering migrating so I can join in on their movement. 😊

[Hussein_Nur]

Everyone wants what Copenhagen wants, there is just a lack of politicians like their mayor.

[Ninjaeule]

Great video but there is a mistake in it. Carbon neutral doesn't mean that you preduce as much renewable energy as you have dirty energy, it means for every ton of CO2 you release you capture the same amout. Otherwise you could preduce 10GW of renewable energy which doesn't emit any carbon but still preduce 10GW using dirty energy which let's say emits 1000tons of CO2, which isn't net zero. You would need to capture these 1000tons of CO2 for example by planting trees or extracting CO2 where it is preduced and pumping it underground, only then you are really net zero.

[SponzifyMee]

Oh no... here come the 'HI I AM FROM DENMARK' people..

For helvede

[Alkomp]

A city is not only the pipes, the buildings, the bikes, the waterways, the all, a city is its PEOPLE

[lactllzol]

This is such a good news, recently I have only seen news about terrible environmental impact. This gives hope to humanity that there are people who really try to do something to save the planet.

Thank you for all the people that contribute their part in making this world a little bit better

[ryanbotha]

These videos are always incredible, but this one really knocks it out the park.
This serves as such an inspiration and light into what's possible. I live in a developing country at the moment, and something like this would prove massively useful and beneficial. It's making me think how I could start something similar and propose it to the cities in my country.
Thank you guys

[danielecostantini]

I live here and I could not agree more with this beautiful portrait of cph. We moved from São Paulo, so quite a different scenario for me, my wife and our kids. we all cycle everyday, everywhere. it is full of green spaces. people are nice and friendly. Copenhagen is sustainable also because offers top-notch public educational and healthcare systems. The whole picture makes it clear why danish are always at the top of happiness ranking. they enjoy life in a high quality ecosystem. well done copenhageners ! and thanks Freethink for such a beautiful recap :)

[ipamajgt]

I live in Denmark and I can tell you guys even 60, 70, 80 and 90 years old people use a bike instead of a car.

[dhanipersaud]

Doesn't Copenhagen burn garbage to make power? They just opened a new garbage incinerator that generates electricity a few years ago. I think this video even briefly shows the plant.

[susandaniel]

A great short video showing what needs to be done everyone!

[priyapriyadarshini]

so informative and inspiring. Keep up the good work guys!

[joanarodrigues]

I live in Copenhagen and I agree that is has come a long way! And it is def very green in comparison to most cities in the world. But there are 2 factors that play a major advantage.
Population in Copenhagen is around 600 thousand people. And the city is very flat which makes it very easy to bike everywhere.
I think that other cities around Europe that have way more population and are not so easy to bike have a much harder time in becoming more sustainable.

But the Danish mentally def plays a role in the success of the city, and people that move here (just like me) get very inspired to become more sustainable.

One problem that I still see in Denmark is the extreme use of plastic. For example most veggies in most supermarkets are wrapped up in plastic. And then when I get home after shopping I have so much plastic that I put in the recycling bin. But I would prefer not to have to use that plastic at all! So if Denmark manages to use less plastic they would be for sure a true sustainable country! ☺️

[Prakhart]

Where the f was this channel i love it.. i came through YouTube adv. Nice channel keep it up..✌️

[jeanclaudejunior]

Makes me love denmark even more. Did you know that the Danes bought most Organic and home made products than any other in the world?