In the study on the environmental impact of thirty European cities, the European Green City Index, published by Siemens, the city of Copenhagen ranks first. The Danish capital's commitment to transforming itself into an ecological city — recreating its spaces and urban life as a sustainable model — is therefore clear for all to see. The municipality's climate plan states that CO2 emissions have been reduced by 20% since 1990, and that they will be cut by a further 20% by 2015, before being eliminated entirely by 2025.

The plan includes projects for sourcing energy from renewable sources, particularly wind technology: the largest offshore wind farm is located thirty kilometres from the Danish coast, and already meets the energy needs of part of the population, particularly for heating and electricity. The climate plan also provides for the sustainable restoration of municipal buildings and sustainable urban planning.

Visiting Copenhagen, one cannot fail to notice the number of bicycles and the nonchalance with which a third of residents use them to get to work, collect their children from school and go shopping. All of this is made easier by the infrastructure — that is, by dedicated cycle lanes and traffic lights — which allows for safe and effective use of the bicycle. In the city's historic centre, tourists too can enjoy the freedom and energy savings that this mode of transport affords.

To visit the fascinating sights of the centre, from the Tivoli gardens to Kongens Nytorv square and the Nyhavn district, with its typical houses overlooking the canal and the old-style boats, the municipality makes the City Bike available: simply insert a Danish coin and collect it at any drop-off point. The municipality of Copenhagen does not stop there — in addition to improving the urban transport network and cycling infrastructure, it will introduce electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, with battery-charging points.

In launching projects that improve quality of life while taking environmental impact into account, the city provides its inhabitants with liveable spaces. One need only visit Islands Brygge, the promenade overlooking the harbour, to understand the transformation that has taken place following a radical intervention on wastewater. The municipality has invested in modernising the treatment of such water and has also created collection points for rainwater, to prevent it from flowing into the sewage pipes and into the sea. Following these interventions, fifty-five water conduits were closed. The results are visible and appreciated: the harbour water has become so clear that residents can dive in for a swim in summer! At Islands Brygge, since 2002 there has been an attractively designed public bathing facility — a large pool surrounded by a warm material like wood. The Islands Brygge waterfront lends itself to long walks and also hosts numerous venues. What's more, residents need only travel three hundred metres to reach a green space, a recreational area where it is also possible to get some fresh air.

Copenhagen is not far from the Swedish coast, and with a short journey by car or train, crossing the Øresund Bridge inaugurated in 2000, one can reach its sister city, Malmö, where many Danes have begun to settle. This city is home to the Västra Hamnen district, designed along sustainable lines, and the building that is a symbol of both creativity and sustainability — the Turning Torso — which is also innovative in its emphasis on lighting as part of the design, entirely fitted with LEDs. As one approaches the island of Saltholm, halfway between Denmark and Sweden on the Øresund strait, the bridge submerges into the sea and becomes a tunnel; in this way the integrity of the island, a nature reserve and stopping point for migratory birds, is preserved. Copenhagen too is planning to create new low-environmental-impact districts, entirely sustainable from architecture to urban transport. Already 200 hectares at Nordhavn and a further 300 in the Amager Faelled area have been earmarked for this project.

What to see
The Tivoli gardens, with their fountains and water features, and the charm of a bygone era.
The Illums Bolghus emporium, with an interior design marked by wood that softens the angles and turns the display areas and escalators into a single unified whole.
Strøget, Europe's longest pedestrian street, lined with shops bearing well-known names in Danish design and fashion.
The Nyhavn district, with its typical buildings overlooking the canal.
Christiania, not far from the centre, where one can visit the emblematic city of counterculture.
Islands Brygge, with Scandinavia's finest open-air swimming pool.
The Øresund Bridge, from which one can admire the largest offshore wind farm in the North Sea.

In brief
Copenhagen is a city that offers its inhabitants liveability starting from its urban spaces, and it does so by maintaining and promoting an environmental policy determined to achieve clear objectives, such as the radical reduction of CO2 emissions. The city is committed to creating infrastructure that improves mobility and safety both on foot and by bicycle, has modernised the wastewater system and has launched alternative and renewable energy supply systems. It was the occasion of the UN Climate conference that brought to wider attention the commitment of the current mayor, Ritt Bjerregaard, who set up Hopenhagen square, organised the Mayors' Forum and the Women as Leaders for Climate Justice gathering. In responding to the state of the planet, one can transform one's own city.

What we like
Brunch at Europa 1989: the brunch — available in a vegetarian version too — at this meeting place and fine café, located on the Danish shopping street Strøget, is worth a very leisurely morning. www.europa1989.dk
Strolling along the canals: a visit to Nyhavn is not to be missed, with its waterways, old wooden boats and open-air market. www.visitdenmark.com
Vintage shopping: at the Affär shop in the Amager district, for lovers of charming retro objects sourced from Swedish flea markets. www.affaer.dk
Coffee break: at Verde Food and Coffee one can enjoy organic fair-trade coffee. www.verdejeansandcoffee.dk
Cooling off in summer: at Islands Brygge for an urban swim. www.visitdenmark.com
Dining organic: at the Cap Horn restaurant, where organic and fresh ingredients are a must. www.caphorn.dk