Environment Metropolis

Copenhagen is riding on a "green wave". Cycling, eating organic and reducing CO2 are just a few of the Copenhageners' high priorities.

Copenhagen is known as one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world. Last year the city launched its environment strategy, "Environment Metropolis - our vision 2015", where Copenhagen aims to show global leadership in the environmental field.

Today every citizen has reduced contribution to global warming from 7 tons to 4.9 tons compared to 1990 figures. This is set to be reduced a further 20 percent by 2015.

As part of "going green", Copenhageners should be able to walk to a park, beach or swimming pool in under 15 minutes. Today 60 per cent are already able to do so and generally they use the areas once every other day for an hour. By 2015 Copenhageners will visit twice as often, and 90 percent should live within walking distance.

Organic food on the rise
When it comes to organic food Copenhagen breaks a world record. 51% of food consumption in the city's public institution is organic. For private households the percentage is 23. By 2015, 90 percent of food consumption in the city's public institutions should be organic.

Copenhageners' organic consciousness is also evident in the city, as a whole new league of organic restaurants, cafes and delis are growing in areas beyond the usual eco-community. There is more of a common sense desire for clean, local and sustainable produce.

High hopes for the future
Other areas of priority are to lower the noise levels in the city and to be one of the cleanest capitals in the world, where rubbish is cleared from public streets within eight hours.

Despite the rapid economic growth in Copenhagen over the last few years, the city has managed to keep water and energy consumption constant over time. One of the world's best recycling systems is in place with 90 percent of all construction waste being recycled and 75 percent of all household garbage being used for heating.

- The future looks promising, as there is both political and popular support to our vision to become the eco-metropole of the world. Our goals are a good example of what a sustainable and dynamic city development consists of, says Klaus Bondam, Mayor for the Technical and Environmental administration in Copenhagen.