New Sustainable Travel study of 50 cities reveals Melbourne ranks third

A new travel study by ARKA - a sustainable packaging company - analysed more than 50 cities to create a ranking of the world's top sustainable destinations for summer 2024.

To rank the world's top sustainable cities, each city was analysed based on three main criteria: the percentage of green spaces, bike friendliness, and tram network coverage. Scores for each criterion were normalized and averaged to form a total sustainability index for each city. The study also considered additional criteria such as the country's Sustainability Score, Percentage of Renewable Energy Use, Electric Vehicle Usage, and CO2 Emissions per Capita. The top ten cities were selected based on the highest total indexes.

Berlin leads as the most sustainable destination with a total index of 76.12. This high score is thanks to its 51% green spaces and also for its large tram network of 190 km and bike friendliness. Germany itself is pushing hard on green policies, using 19.45% renewable energy and leading with the highest sustainability score of 83.36 among all countries analysed.  

Warsaw is in the second position with an index of 71.38. The city has the longest tram network of 356 km among analysed cities and equal green spaces to Berlin at 51%. Warsaw has a high composite sustainability index due to its sustainable transportation and Poland’s renewable energy use is 7.76%.

Melbourne ranked third with an index of 57.29, balancing 37% green spaces with a 250 km tram network. The city also has a high bike friendliness score which further secures its position in the top 3.

Utrecht, Netherlands ranks fourth with a high sustainability index of 55.09. The city leads with the highest bike friendliness score of 77.84 and an efficient 13.3 km tram system, improving the transportation in the city and making it one of the most sustainable destinations.

In fifth place, Bern has a sustainability index of 53.35. Over half of the city's area is covered with green spaces, which, along with its moderate tram and bike infrastructure, contribute significantly to its sustainability. Switzerland's high renewable energy usage of 36.72% and low CO2 emissions per capita of 4.04 further support its position.

Seoul ranks sixth with a sustainability index of 51.70. The city has an extensive tram system of 331.5 km, second only to Warsaw. These factors are reflected in Seoul’s high total index. Additionally, Korea has a renewable energy usage rate of 3.72% which further supports the placement in the ranking.

Prague ranks seventh with a sustainability index of 50.76. The city features green spaces covering 53% of its area and a well-utilized 144 km tram network, contributing to its high sustainability index. With one of the best tram systems on the list, Prague is a top destination for sustainable travel.

Helsinki secures the eighth spot with a sustainability index of 49.70. Nearly 48% of the city consists of green spaces which, combined with an extensive tram network of 110.5km ensures Helsinki's strong ranking in the list.

Oslo closely follows Helsinki, ranking just behind at ninth with a total index of 49.45. Like its Nordic neighbour, Oslo has impressive green spaces, covering 49% of the city. Its place in the ranking is further supported by Norway's remarkable renewable energy usage of 71.56%.

Copenhagen, Denmark secures the tenth position with an index of 47.75. It stands out with a considerable 30% city green space coverage and a strong bike friendliness score of 60.46.

Spokesperson from ARKA commented on the findings “Berlin's top ranking comes from its comprehensive approach to sustainability, but it's interesting to see Warsaw near the top due to its large tram network. This highlights the importance of efficient public transit in urban sustainability. Smaller cities like Utrecht also stand out, their excellent bike infrastructure makes up for having shorter tram networks. Nordic cities like Helsinki and Oslo made the list thanks to high renewable energy usage, showing that sustainability isn't just about urban planning but also national policies. As these strategies gain traction, we can expect a global movement where cities learn from each other's successes, leading to more liveable and environmentally friendly urban environments worldwide.”

For more information on ARKA