The sustainability of cities all over the world is measured on the basis of the efforts they hold. These includes measuring efforts regarding sustainability goals & also holds dependencies on the current environmental performances as well as best practices. Hence, sustainable developments & sustainability also means keeping an eye on the Carbon emissions. Furthermore, encountering climate change, and other environmental practices leading to the slogan ‘Green Practices’ or ‘Go Green’.
THE GREEN CITY INDEX:
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), is the one who has conducted the Green City Index series. Siemens is the sponsor for measuring the sustainability, and the acronym is EIU. Hence, a German based Multinational firm Siemens has developed this index or a unique tool for measuring future sustainability goals. The aim is to help cities benchmark their performances. On top of this, as well as share best practices for good results in future.
This series started in the year 2009, and significantly covers at least 120 Global cities. This is primarily in all continents that includes, Europe, Latin America, North America & Africa. Also includes some cities in Australia as well as in New Zealand. Hence, the last version of the series was published in the year 2012. This is after lots of research on many global cities environmental performance measurements. It is also a concern due to the growth in pollution in some of the most populated cities of the world. Addon to this, introducing measures to encounter health concerns due to excessive pollution. Similar to the report known as the Cities in Motion. Hence,the innumerable amount of lessons contained in the series holds huge intentions. These are intentions to help cities learn from each other, with debates on various environmental policies. Furthermore, coming up with different strategies for minimising the environmental footprints.
INDICATORS OF GREEN CITY INDEX- ‘STEPS TOWARDS CHANGE’:
There are some key indicators that are adopted by the Green City Index Series also depending on the region. These includes, CO2 emissions, energy, building management, land usage, transport, water and sanitation. Also, includes the most important ones, i.e. waste management & air quality. Finally, Environmental Governance indicator being the major ones in the distinguished list. Hence, the specific indicators differ slightly from one index to another. This is while taking into consideration the availability of data for accurately measuring sustainable performances. Furthermore, as part of a key consideration it also includes some unique challenges in each region.
Some of the Top cities according to the Green City Index are as follows;
COPENHAGEN:
Amongst the European cities, Copenhagen, the Capital city of Denmark is on top of the list for Green City Index. However, the two cities that are close to Copenhagen are Stockholm and Oslo. These are also cities from the Nordic region which are not far behind from Copenhagen. Stockholm, being the Capital city of Sweden, while Oslo, the Capital of Norway, both lies in the region of Scandinavia.
The Danish capital also has an extensive public transport system that includes a well designed Metro system. Also includes, sub-urban railway and bus networks. On top of this, the Danish Capital Copenhagen also aims to be the “world’s best cycle city”.
SINGAPORE:
One of the Asia’s best city, Singapore is the top performer in the Asian Green City Index. This is not surprisingly as they have shown good results across all individual categories. Hence, this is since 1965 when the city first gained its independence. The Government has emphasised the importance of sustainability in many diverse ways. These ways includes through holistic planning & high-density development and finally green-space conservation.
SAN FRANCISCO:
The US city San Francisco tops the list of cities from USA and Canada. Hence, driven by strong policies across all the categories. This is particularly in the category of Waste Management which has been identified as a particular strength of San Francisco.
The dynamic US city has been a trailblazer especially in partnering with the private sector on some innovative green initiatives. These green initiatives also includes energy-efficiency awareness programs. Hence, these are designed programs particularly for the funding of green improvements.
DURBAN, CAPE TOWN & JOHANNESBURG:
The leading cities of South Africa that have topped in the African index are Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town. These are mainly because of their commitments to strategies. Also includes, codes and plans for the monitoring of the urban environment in South Africa. As an example of the sustainable developments in the three South African cities. The metropolitan city Cape Town has been lately most prominent with best results. This is especially due to strong policy developments for the containment of urban sprawl. On top of this, as well as for the protection of green space. The rest of the two, i.e. Johannesburg and Durban also generally performed pretty well for environmental policies. This is the main reasons why they are in the African list along with the gorgeous Cape Town.