Green City Guide: Copenhagen

Copenhagen's green endeavors are immediately apparent to the casual visitor. Wind turbines dot the coastal landscape, more organic products are consumed here than in any other city, and an endless supply of bikers cruise down leafy tree-lined streets. Cycling is so omnipresent in Denmark's capital city -- fondly nicknamed CPH -- it is hard to imagine a time when it was not so immensely popular. In fact, it was only 25 years ago that Denmark's first bike path was created. According to Wikipedia, nearly 32 percent of Copenhageners now commute by bike, and most of those very fashionably, if blog Copenhagen Cycle Chic is a reliable source. It's also interesting to note that Copenhagen's cyclists are not into wearing helmets. Blog Copenhagenize even advocates against them, arguing that forcing more people to wear helmets will result in fewer people riding bikes.

Recently city officials launched a campaign to increase ridership by 50% by 2015. To achieve this goal, some major streets will close to cars. To further entice bike riders, officials installed a green wave system on some major streets like Norrebrogade, where you can speed through intersections without stopping, hitting timed green lights the entire way.

In 2009, Copenhagen will host the United Nations Climate Change Conference, and the world's biggest fleet of electric hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles will be waiting for the green movers and shakers who will make the trip. Greenmap.org (pdf) has a handy green map of the city, but it's currently a bit out of date (last updated in 2003).

Here are 10 tips to green your stay in one of the most visited cities in Northern Europe. For the most recent green happenings in CPH, check out TreeHugger's Copenhagen archives.

1. Take Public Transportation
   Buy a klippenkort and enjoy Copenhagen's clean and reliable public transit system, including the S-train commuter train network (in Danish, this is called the S-tog), the Copenhagen Metro subway system, and buses. The Metro opened in 2002 and runs daily from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fares are calculated in a seven-zone structure which is indicated on colored maps at stations and bus stops -- and can be a bit confusing. The price of a ticket depends on the number of zones traveled through (minimum two zones). Tickets begin at about $2.50 or 15 Danish Krone (DKK) and are available for purchase from the bus driver, at ticket offices, from vending machines at stations, or from the bus terminus at Rdhuspladsen. If you will be in the city for more than a day, consider a klippenkort card for 10 journeys, which will save you both money and time.


2. Rent a Bike and Fit in with the Locals
   Copenhagen's free Citybike bike sharing program is a fantastic way to save money and get on two wheels fast. With nearly 200 miles of bike paths, Copenhagen is an extremely bike-friendly city. The terrain is flat and most bikers pedal at a leisurely pace and obey traffic laws. For a 20 DKK deposit (about $3.35), you can rent a distinctive Citybike for the length of your visit, and then get the 20 DKK back when you return the bike. Citybike has over 2,000 bikes, spread out over 11 bike stations, making getting a bike in Copenhagen as easy as getting a cart at the supermarket. Bike rental shops are also located throughout the city. You can also take your bike on the metro or the train, perhaps for a ride along the coast.


3. Stay in a Green Hostel or Carbon Neutral Hotel
   The Sleep-in-Green hostel is decked out in second hand furniture and staff uses environmentally sensitive cleaning supplies. Solar panels provide electricity and rainwater is collected to flush toilets. Sleep-in-Green also has an organic breakfast and organic gifts in its gift shop.
   
   Soon to become a carbon-neutral hotel chain, Brøchner Hotels has made a commitment to purchase carbon credits to offset each year's worth of collective emissions. "We have devised our own mini-Kyoto protocol," explains Brøchner Hotels CEO Kirsten Brøchner. The chain has also established a series of environmental requirements for suppliers and elected to purchase all electricity from Modstrøm, Denmark's first independent and environmentally friendly power company.
   
   The Scandic Hotels chain conserves water and energy; serves organic food; buys soap and green cleaning supplies in bulk; and offers recycling bins in guest rooms and throughout the hotel. Management also makes a concerted effort to educate staff and guests about the importance of green efforts. There are at least five Scandic hotels sprinkled throughout the city, so reservations are not usually a problem (unless you are trying for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, when all rooms are already sold out).


4. Visit the Hippie Conquest: Christiania
   Cross the Knippelsbro bridge for a walk on Copenhagen's wild side: The Age of Aquarius lives on in Christiania, a "free city" within a city. Founded in the 1970's, when hippies took control of abandoned military barracks throwing off Danish rule, Christiana is a great place for people watching. Grab a coffee at the waterfront and look at the colorful murals.


5. Go to a Museum: The Dansk Arkitektur Cente (DAC)
   For the latest building designs and trends, make a visit to the Dansk Arkitektur Cente, which often presents exhibits on green design. On view through January 2009, "Building Sustainable Communities" has models and videos highlighting innovative green buildings by Danish architects. Admission is free from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. on Wednesdays.


6. Kayak or Swim on the Waterfront
   There's more to the CPH waterfront than the obligatory visit to the famed Little Mermaid statue. Rent kayaks and go on a kayak tour with Kajak-Ole or, in summer, swim in the Harbor pools off Islands Brygge, right in the city center. Recent efforts have ensured that city swimming waters are as clean as the Oresund Sea.


7. Go Green Shopping at CommonZenz and Aniel
   Situated in the Norrebro neighborhood, CommonZenz is the first Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) boutique selling sustainable fashion. Much of the clothing is made out of flax, naturally dyed cotton, and other sustainable materials. In the Frederiksberg neighborhood, Aniel offers children's clothing and toys made out of organic and natural materials.


8. Rent a Pedicab Through Quickshaw, Cykeltaxi, or Flying Tigers
   Rickshaw guided pedicab tours are a popular, emission-free way to see the sites. A few companies are: Quickshaw, Cykeltaxi, and Flying Tigers Rickshaw. Tours can be pre-arranged or drivers can be simply hailed from the street in various downtown areas like Tivoli, Town Hall Square, or the train stations. City Safari Tours operates out of the Dansk Arkitektur Center.


9. Dine at a Green Restaurant
   For a taste of modern Danish cuisine, head to Geranium, which wrangled a coveted Michelin star in 2008. Geranium dishes up organic plates -- from king crab with cauliflower to pork with potato chiffonade -- in a park setting. Or, try Cap Horn, a quaint restaurant located along the waterfront strip in Nyhavn. The organic breakfast of yogurt, fruit, pancakes, and salads is scrumptious and even the coffee is organic. Another option is Morgenstedet, located within Christiania. Both affordable and relaxed, this organic vegetarian restaurant with garden seating is a pleasant place to spend an afternoon or dinner. We recommend the beet, chickpea, and eggplant salad or a curry (watch out, these are fire in your mouth spicy).


10. Take a Ferry to Samso: A "Sustainable Energy Island"
    Up for an excursion? A three-hour ferry ride brings you to the picturesque island of Samso. In 1997, the Danish government decided Samso would become a "sustainable energy island" by 2008. The goal was achieved five years ahead of schedule, and in 2003, Samso became carbon neutral. Now, 100% of its electricity comes from wind turbines, which also offset the island's transportation emissions, including the ferries, and all other non-renewable energy sources. The islanders are shareholders in the turbines, and sometimes Samso's wind turbines even produce surplus energy, which is then sold to the mainland.

Travel much? Check out more Green City Guides.

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