Scandinavian Spotlight: Wooden Spoons in the Green Capital of the World
While having dinner at the whimsical Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen with my family during the first night of our vacation in Copenhagen, I noticed that all of the disposable utensils such as forks and spoons at the food court are made of wood, instead of plastic. This is unsurprising, as Denmark achieved the highest 2022 global Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranking, and has demonstrated clear leadership on Environmental Health, Ecosystem Vitality, and Climate Change. Recognizing Denmark’s stance on environmental policy, Copenhagen is a city I had always wanted to visit because of its commitment and approach to sustainable living, and I am fortunate to have the chance to experience this green city first-hand.
While enjoying the fairytale atmosphere in Tivoli Gardens and the colorful buildings at Nyhavn, I was keen on exploring Copenhagen’s approaches to sustainability. Many urban planners have encountered challenges such as declining infrastructure, air pollution, and climate change; nonetheless, Copenhagen seems to have had success in finding its way toward sustainable development. Copenhagen began to focus on wind energy in the 1990s and its carbon emissions have halved since 1995. In 2009, the city adopted its Climate Plan and became the first capital city to have a carbon-neutral goal, a progressive and ambitious goal to be achieved by 2025. Copenhagen’s Lord Mayer, Frank Jensen, stated that the city’s sustainable plan had three pillars that would be the central focus–energy, mobility, and pollution.
An extensive walking tour of Copenhagen also introduced me to the numerous bike lanes across the city. Copenhagen has made significant investments in biking infrastructure since 2005 and was named the most bike-friendly city in the world in 2015. The city government reported that 62% of its residents are now commuting to work or school by bike, an increase from 52% in 2015 and 36% in 2012; additionally, there are about 5 times more bikes than cars in the city.
Utilization of bike lanes and public transportation in Copenhagen. Source: Sharing Cities Alliance
To close out our exploration of Copenhagen, my family visited Copenhill, the most energy-efficient waste-to-energy plant in the world that also doubles as a recreational facility. Copenhill was named the “World Building of the Year 2021” and now serves about 98% of the city’s homes. It plays a critical role in helping the city achieve its carbon-neutral goal. Looking at the very clean swimming harbor water in Copenhagen, it’s hard to believe that the harbor water used to be very polluted. In 1995, wastewater was pumped from many overflowing channels into the harbor; however, the city has since upgraded its wastewater treatment plants and sewer system. Likewise, the majority of the harbor ferries are electric and contribute to clean air in the area.
Copenhagen has proven that environmental sustainability and economic development do not have to be at odds with each other. The city has been economically stable and productive, making “green growth” an achievable reality. After returning home from Copenhagen, I was inspired to learn more about sustainable urban planning methods, leading me to explore novel concepts such as New Urbanism and further my interests in biophilic design. Finally, my family carried an intensified spirit for personal sustainability, taking simple steps such as saying goodbye to plastic utensils.
