Tourist > What to see and do > Inspiration > Organic Copenhagen > Concern for the environment

Concern for the environment

The environment on the agenda

There is a growing public concern over green topics such as eccology, environment and sustainability among consumers, retailers and politicians in Copenhagen. With the future United Nations Climate Summit in 2009 in mind, Copenhagen has decided to take up a leading position in the struggle against greenhouse gases and global heating. The Technical and Environment Administration has recently formulated a strategy aimed at making Copenhagen the world's leading environmental capital in 2015.

Record holder in organic purchases

No other capital in the world reaches Copenhagen's level of purchasing and consuming organic foodstuffs. 51 percent of food consumption in the city's public institution is organic, and the private consumption of organic products is 23 percent, which is a world record. The political plan of turning Copenhagen into the world's leading environmental capital in 2015 aims at making organic food products reach a level of 20 percent of the total food consumption.

Clean water

The popular harbour baths that have opened by the shopping mall Fisketorvet and at Islands Brygge bear witness to the very fine quality of the water in the Copenhagen Harbour. The water today is so clean that there is no health risk involved in going for a swim. This is quite unusual for a large city.

Reduction of CO2 emission

Copenhagen's CO2 emission has been reduced considerably since 1990. Today each individual Copenhagener emits 1,5 tons less CO2 per annum compared to 15 years ago, which equals a reduction of 25 percent since 1990. This is mainly due to the transition to heating based on natural gas in stead of fossil fuels.

City of bikes

The political ambition is to make Copenhagen the world's leading bicycle city by 2015. This goal is definitely within reach. 36 percent of all Copenhageners use bicycles to go to work, school, university etc., the city offers more than 300 kms of bicycle paths, and the popular "free token bikes" give the visitors an opportunity to get around on two wheels most of the year.

Baisikeli bike rental

Baisikeli is swahili for bicycle, but it is also the name of the little sustainable bike rental shop in Turesensgade in Copenhagen. The bike rental is all about renting out second hand bikes (mainly bought or donated by Danish insurance companies) to tourists and students in order to finance an annual shipment of 1,200 bikes to Tanzania, Sierra Leone and Ghana. There the bikes are rebuild into meeting the African needs. None of the bikes at Baisikeli are similar, so the prices differ. A six hour rental costs DKK 60 - 130. Rent a bike in Copenhagen and help fight poverty in Africa!

Refuse and recycling

One of the best waste handling systems in the world is found in Copenhagen. Approximately 90 percent of all construction waste is recycled and 75 percent of all household refuse is incinerated. The energy resulting from this incineration is used for district heating and electricity, so nothing is wasted.

For more information

Baisikeli

Bikes

The easiest way to get around is by bike. You can hire, borrow or take a bicycle taxi.



Inspiration Top 10 sights Top 10 alternative sights Top 10 ideas for a sunny day Top 10 ideas for a Winter day Kids height Copenhagen Romantic Copenhagen Organic Copenhagen Concern for the environment Hair and well-being Eat organic Sustainable accommodation Straight from the farm Organic food stores Organic 'green' delis Considerate shopping Organic inspiration Wellness Towns near Copenhagen Copenhagen on a budget Sights and attractions Events Sports & activities Tours & excursions CPHCARD Tourist > What to see and do > Inspiration > Organic Copenhagen > Concern for the environment Concern for the environment The environment on the agenda There is a growing public concern over green topics such as eccology, environment and sustainability among consumers, retailers and politicians in Copenhagen. With the future United Nations Climate Summit in 2009 in mind, Copenhagen has decided to take up a leading position in the struggle against greenhouse gases and global heating. The Technical and Environment Administration has recently formulated a strategy aimed at making Copenhagen the world's leading environmental capital in 2015. Record holder in organic purchases No other capital in the world reaches Copenhagen's level of purchasing and consuming organic foodstuffs. 51 percent of food consumption in the city's public institution is organic, and the private consumption of organic products is 23 percent, which is a world record. The political plan of turning Copenhagen into the world's leading environmental capital in 2015 aims at making organic food products reach a level of 20 percent of the total food consumption. Clean water The popular harbour baths that have opened by the shopping mall Fisketorvet and at Islands Brygge bear witness to the very fine quality of the water in the Copenhagen Harbour. The water today is so clean that there is no health risk involved in going for a swim. This is quite unusual for a large city. Reduction of CO2 emission Copenhagen's CO2 emission has been reduced considerably since 1990. Today each individual Copenhagener emits 1,5 tons less CO2 per annum compared to 15 years ago, which equals a reduction of 25 percent since 1990. This is mainly due to the transition to heating based on natural gas in stead of fossil fuels. City of bikes The political ambition is to make Copenhagen the world's leading bicycle city by 2015. This goal is definitely within reach. 36 percent of all Copenhageners use bicycles to go to work, school, university etc., the city offers more than 300 kms of bicycle paths, and the popular "free token bikes" give the visitors an opportunity to get around on two wheels most of the year. Baisikeli bike rental Baisikeli is swahili for bicycle, but it is also the name of the little sustainable bike rental shop in Turesensgade in Copenhagen. The bike rental is all about renting out second hand bikes (mainly bought or donated by Danish insurance companies) to tourists and students in order to finance an annual shipment of 1,200 bikes to Tanzania, Sierra Leone and Ghana. There the bikes are rebuild into meeting the African needs. None of the bikes at Baisikeli are similar, so the prices differ. A six hour rental costs DKK 60 - 130. Rent a bike in Copenhagen and help fight poverty in Africa! Refuse and recycling One of the best waste handling systems in the world is found in Copenhagen. Approximately 90 percent of all construction waste is recycled and 75 percent of all household refuse is incinerated. The energy resulting from this incineration is used for district heating and electricity, so nothing is wasted. For more information Baisikeli Bikes The easiest way to get around is by bike. You can hire, borrow or take a bicycle taxi.