San Francisco, USA
San Francisco is one of the greenest cities in the US, with 80% of its waste being diverted away from landfills. Recycling is mandatory in San Francisco and a policy that arrived 30 years ago sees a ‘pay-as-you-throw’ model for non-recyclable waste and the ban of plastic bags.
Copenhagen, Denmark:
The Danish capital has recently become the starting point for the Tour de France, the world’s largest cycling event. Keeping this theme of sustainable travel running, it has already made progress on its pledge to become the world’s first carbon-neutral city by 2025.
As part of Sydney’s approach to being more sustainable, the city is currently implementing a strategy that involves planting hundreds of new trees every year, increasing the amount of greenery – all of which helps to mitigate rising temperatures.
Chiang Mai, Thailand:
The ideal destination for vegan travelers, Chiang Mai has the highest number of vegan restaurants per capita of any city in the world.
The city also participates in a yearly regional vegetarian festival from late September to October.
Hong Kong, China:
Public transport accounts for an astonishing 80% of daily journeys in Hong Kong – the highest rate of all cities around the world, and when you consider how large the cities population is, and with less than a fifth of residents owning a car, it’s clear to see why their public transport is so efficient.
Strasbourg, France:
In France, it is now illegal for supermarkets to throw away edible food, with laws being introduced requiring these foods to be donated to charities instead. Strasbourg is a city pushing France’s efforts of sustainability with a zero-waste initiative and experimental programmes, such as one that collects biodegradable waste entirely by bicycle.
For more information on each of the cities, visit: https://www.booking.com/articles/sustainable-cities.en.html
