For any conscious traveller who wants to take stock of their carbon footprint as they navigate our burgeoning world and tread it lightly, Copenhagen is a dream come true. From its unique buildings and modes of transport, city planning and eco-friendly initiatives, to its innovative eateries and neighbourhoods, the city captures the very essence of a "city of the future." Voted the second happiest country in the world this year, this city in Denmark has a lot to offer. Here is the best sustainable travel guide to Copenhagen:
The number one thing that can make or break the green quotient of a city is the impact of its public transport system, and Copenhagen scores brownie points on all fronts there. Biking is one of the most popular way to get around here, with 546 km of bicycle paths laid out across the city. Despite its popularity, I felt completely safe walking through even the busiest parts of the city at peak hours; dedicated biking lanes make it easy for riders and pedestrians alike, and nothing hampers movement in the world’s most bicycle-friendly capital. Another unique mode I spotted people using is kayaks that can easily navigate the city’s extensive canal system, all while leaving no trace. Other than these offbeat choices to add in your sustainable travel guide to Copenhagen, the more regular public transport options of trains and buses also exists, and which are encouraged over private taxis; there is a remarkable difference in the prices you pay. While public transport is incredibly cheap, private taxis, on the other hand, can cost an arm. I used the Copenhagen Card , an affordable option that made sightseeing around the city with the aid of public transport, a breeze.
In order to get tourists to act more sustainably, the city tourism has launched a new initiative—CopenPay. Every summer, the initiative aims to reward climate-friendly actions such as cycling, participating in cleanup efforts, or volunteering at urban farms, with access to a variety of Copenhagen attractions in return. The initiatives can be bartered for complimentary guided museum tours, free kayak rentals, and even vegetarian lunches made from local crops.The simplicity (and the high level of trust!) of the system allows easy participation for travellers. For example, I had to do was show my train ticket or arrive on a bicycle at their choice of attraction, or present other simple proof of green actions, in order to to redeem rewards. The list of attractions and other rewards is regularly updated here.
Copenhagen has a long-standing tradition in green solutions that include offshore wind turbines along its aqua borders with Sweden. On a Hey Captain boat ride from the harbour area, I disembarked at the Trekroner fort island to view a row of these in the horizon, looking like toy paper windmills rotating in the distance. The added slow conversion of the harbour area from an industrial area to a recreational area has also ensured that people have access to various activities there—not only can citizens go for a dip in one of the ten designated swimming areas in the harbour area, but also choose from a fleet of electric harbour ferries to move around in the area. All of these are powered by alternative energy sources; the impact of wind and solar energy together generates nearly 60 per cent of the city’s electricity consumption, as the country aims to go fossil fuel free by 2050.
Copenhagen is filled with accommodation that aims to discourage wastage and promote low-impact travel. Hotels in Copenhagen have it all—think recycled paper cartons store drinking water, old fashioned tin mugs make a comeback to replace plastic bathroom containers, and sensory lights that turn on and off only as per the requirement. Hotel Ottilia in the Carlsberg district is a luxurious 4-star accommodation fashioned out of an erstwhile brewery famous as The Old Carlsberg in the legendary beer district that was high on my list of must-sees. It holds a green key certification and is known for its combination of eco-friendly and industrial-chic design. 25 hours, a fairly new, cleverly designed and chic hotel in Copenhagen's Paper Island, supports a tree planting project around Denmark. I chose not to get any housekeeping done—by refusing the services during their stay, guests help this hotel in Copenhagen save resources that are then used to fund the planting and maintenance of trees. The trendy hotel Sp34 in the city’s hip latin quarter also runs entirely on 100 per cent certified Danish wind energy.
A country that has the highest per capita consumption of organic food in the world, will constantly try to reinvent its culinary scene, and Copenhagen’s string of unique eateries is a testimony to the same. I was most floored by Ark, which creates seasonal, tasting menus often inspired by global influences but prepared from locally foraged foods. It is the first plant-based restaurant in the Nordics and one of the few in the world to be awarded a Green Michelin star, the highest honour that recognises sustainable gastronomy. Another initiative is Øens Have, a green oasis in the middle of a concrete neighbourhood, overflowing with vegetables, herbs, fruit and flowers that find their way to the menu— the urban farm has a modern yurt for a restaurant sitting in its heart that serves food made from freshly picked ingredients. The idea of the regenerative farm is to inspire urban citizens to reconnect people with the earth through volunteering programs and workshops at their farm.