Amsterdam tops European sustainable cities ranking

Amsterdam tops index on environmental policies

Amsterdam has topped the Schroders European Sustainable Cities Index thanks to its comprehensive climate plans and carbon neutrality targets.

The index – in its first year – ranked 59 cities on 13 environmental policies, including cleaner public transport, single use plastics, air quality, waste policy and carbon neutrality targets. Schroders, a global asset management firm, based its findings on publicly available city-level policies and used EU climate directives and goals as an indication of best practice. London and Paris placed second and third place respectively.

Schroders’ Hugo Machin, who compiled the index, said: “Both Amsterdam and Paris scored well on their ambitious 2050 targets for 100% of energy to come from renewable sources. In this category, London lagged somewhat with a target of 15% by 2030. This was lower than the EU’s renewable energy directive, which aims for 27% of final energy consumption from renewables by 2030.”

Machin added: “The index is important because it ranks the European cities that will provide their inhabitants with a high quality of life, whilst minimising environmental impact.”

Ambitious plans for a sustainable city

Amsterdam aims to become the green frontrunner in the Netherlands and Europe through its ambitious goals for a sustainable future. The municipality wants to reduce CO2 emissions in Amsterdam by 55% in 2030, and 95% in 2050. Within the next 10 years, transport by road and water will be emission-free. 

Many environmentally-friendly initiatives have taken shape already. In July, the city more than doubled its fleet of electric buses. Major logistics hubs Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and the Port of Amsterdam, are swapping diesel power for fossil-free alternatives. The city also boasts the highest concentration of electric vehicle charging points in the world.