10 Most Sustainable Cities in the World, Three in Canada

January 2, 2026 | 05:22 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Sustainability has become one of the most important factors for travelers when planning a trip. A recent study by the Reinders Corporation, a climate solutions company, has revealed which global cities prioritize sustainability in the Green City Index.

Gerrit Jan Reinders, CEO of Reinders Corporation, said that with climate change and urban growth, understanding which cities excel in sustainability has "never been more critical."

"This study highlights that eco-friendly living and vibrant, modern city life can thrive together. London also demonstrates that even large, historic cities can prioritise sustainable transport," he was quoted as saying by Time Out.

Categories of Sustainable Cities

The study conducted an in-depth analysis of cities worldwide using six eco essentials: quality of green spaces, renewable energy use, air quality, public transportation, bike-friendliness, and tourist tax implementation. Each category was weighted based on its relative impact on the sustainability of a destination, before being combined into the Green City score.

Here are the top 10 results of the most sustainable cities in the world based on the Green City Index:

1. Vancouver, Canada 
2. Oslo, Norway
3. Stockholm, Sweden 
4. Munich, Germany
5. Zurich, Switzerland
6. Copenhagen, Denmark 
7. Montreal, Canada
8. San Francisco, US
9. Toronto, Canada
10. London, UK

Cities Setting Sustainable Standards

According to Forbes, Vancouver claimed the top spot due to the balance between environmental responsibility and urban quality of life. The city has 119 square meters of green space per capita, while nearly 98 percent of its energy comes from renewable sources.

Meanwhile, Oslo ranked second after Vancouver due to its vast green spaces and aggressive adoption of renewable energy. The city has 116 square meters of green space per capita and scored high in public transportation and cycling convenience.

Stockholm secured third place in this list, with high ratings due to its public transportation system (surpassing Vancouver and Oslo). The city also has low air pollution and ample green space per capita.

The next ranking goes to Munich in Germany, which excels due to its strong use of renewable energy and a well-developed transportation network. The city has 90 square meters of green space per capita and also boasts highly efficient public transportation. Zurich claimed the fifth position in this list, with consistent performance across all sustainability indicators. The city has decent green space, low air pollution, and good public transportation.

Read: Asian Universities Rise in Global Sustainability Leadership Rankings

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