Calgary remains the cleanest city in the world from 2015 to date, This city is so clean that you can eat your food anywhere in the streets. This can be attributed to the fact that these cities come up with policies and laws to ensure that cleanliness is adhered to, no matter what. Everybody likes to live in a green and very clean environment but the majority are committed to taking action to make this a reality which makes it difficult to effectively slow down the speed degrading quality of human life.
Despite the high rate of pollution and dirt production, there are still some cities that are found clean and free from such, at least to the lowest minimum. These cities and countries are making huge efforts to keep their environment clean by reducing water damage, carbon emissions, public littering, and cutting down on pollutions at levels.
We analyzed the 2018 and 2020 Environmental Performance Index released to obtain the list of top clean cities around the world. Our data drew on air pollution levels and the home country’s Environmental Performance Score. Therefore, below are our list of Cleanest Cities in the World.
Top 10 Cleanest Cities In The World
Alright! Cleanliness is an important criterion considered by many visitors traveling or visiting a city. More so, it is paramount to be clean and free from pollutants. Thus, we have put together the top 10 Cleanest Cities in the World that follow their practice of being clean, fresh, and sparkling.
World Top 10 Cleanest Cities Table Index:
| Rank | City | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calgary | Canada |
| 2 | Switzerland | Zurich |
| 3 | Luxembourg City | Luxembourg |
| 4 | Adelaide | Australia |
| 5 | Singapore | Singapore |
| 6 | Kobe | Japan |
| 7 | Wellington | New Zealand |
| 8 | Freiburg | Germany |
| 9 | Oslo | Norway |
| 10 | Honolulu | U.S.A |
Ranking Of 20 Cleanest Cities in The World
This ranking was deduced from the Epi 2018 latest released 2020 Environmental Performance Index from the Yale University & World Economic Forum cleanest cities in the world. Methodology and parameters used in ranking this list include environmental health, ecosystem vitality, biodiversity, air pollution, water quality control.
Below are the Top 20 Cleanest Cities in The World:
1. Calgary – Canada
Calgary in Canada has been consistently ranked as the cleanest city in the world, Because of the huge consistent improvements in sanitation and eco-initiatives, which results in the glowing aqua rivers and litter-free streets that we see around the city. Also, all thanks to the governmental and environmental authorities for being able to imbibe the five basic principles of cleanliness into their citizens as a way of Life. Below are the five main tenets used by the city to minimize pollution and keep it clean:
- Air Pollution
- Sewage System Quality
- Traffic Congestion
- Water Drinkability and Availability
- Waste Removal and Recycling
Calgary is established at the convergence of the Bow River and the Elbow River. The city sits at the top list of Cleanest Cities in the World, and it is home to several ample parks, wonderfully clean streets. Fines are imposed on Calgary residents for littering and as such, residents are coached on how to compost as well as how to pack a litter-less lunch.
2. Zurich – Switzerland
Zurich is one of the most popular cities in Switzerland; a country is known for its advanced banking system. However, our concern is not about its banks; rather, it is about the state of cleanliness which most of its cities are known for; nonetheless, Zurich tops them all. The city undoubtedly has one of the cleanest atmospheres and environments.
Thanks to its efficient and clean public transportation system. Authorities make provision for trains, trams, boats, buses, and even streetcars are widely available for public transport so that residents will not have to drive their cars which tend to produce fumes and pollute the air.
3. Luxembourg City – Luxembourg
Luxembourg City the “Green Heart of Europe” has continuously been rated among the cleanest cities in the world. Luxembourg is located at the confluence of the Petrusse and Alzette Rivers in the southern part of the country. The city is also known for its cleanliness and minimum or no pollution just as it is ranked among the Richest Cities in the World.
The city is filled with many green spaces, preserved castles, and forests of Europe. Besides, the city is home to about 200 eco-companies, working in renewable energy, waste management, water treatment. The existence of waste management makes the city clean and offering a healthy atmosphere for the residents.
4. Adelaide – Australia
Adelaide has continuously been ranked among the clean cities in the world. Accompanying the city’s cleanliness, it also offers great food, a fantastic social scene and lots of local countryside’s to make the most of. Australia is home to numerous amazing cities, but in terms of neatness and cleanliness, Adelaide conquers them all.
The city has an extraordinary waste recycling system that enables the recycling of approximately 85% of the waste generated by the city. As such, it deserves to be enlisted among the Cleanest Cities in the World. More so, the city bans the movement of cars that produce smoke or fumes, which will pollute the atmosphere. More so, litter is not allowed in the city.
5. Singapore – Singapore
Singapore city is one of the most visited cities in the world because of it landscape, architecture an advancement. Yet the city has managed to maintain its standards of cleanliness despite the large influx of tourists. Singapore is the 5th Cleanest Cities in the World. Singapore is home to a clean and healthy environment for both citizens and foreigners.
Also, the city puts in place policies and very strict laws equally applicable to citizens and foreigners to ensure ideal standards of keeping the environment safe and clean. This has allowed many of its residents to adopt a wealthy and healthy lifestyle as a result of following certain strict regulations created by the government. Some of this policies includes heavy fines for littering, a ban on chewing gum and a ban on cutting trees from protected areas.
6. Kobe – Japan
Kobe is a city established on Osaka Bay in central Japan is one of the large cities in Japan, but despite a large population of 1.5 million, there is no public littering. The city is not just known for its breakthrough and advancement in technology but also ranked among the cleanest cities in the world.
Kobe residents and the government have continuously been on their toes to keep the atmosphere clear and clean. In the government’s effort to ensure the city is kept explicitly clean, effective waste management system and uninterrupted improvement, impressive measures are some of the measures put in place taken to ensure cleanliness in the city. As such, the city is added to the country’s list which had put a lot of effort into spreading the green message and eco-friendly environment.
7. Wellington – New Zealand
Wellington is a wonderful city to reside in, if for nothing, because of the fresh, clean air and lush landscape. It is the country’s capital city, and it is known for its beautiful and dramatic scenery, outdoorsy lifestyle, and fresh air”. Wellington authorities have taken on ambitious energy efficiency programs and waste management projects that will help the city get rid of waste and other pollution that will litter the city’s environment and atmosphere.
More so, Wellington is located in the coastal region of the country and also has a relatively low population which are factors that contributes to the city’s cleanliness. The city has received recognition for its fresh air and good transport system that does not pollute the atmosphere.
8. Freiburg – Germany
Freiburg has consistently been ranked among the Cleanest Cities in the World. It’s consistently ranked among the ten cleanest cities in the world. Freiburg is known as a popular University town as well as a medieval minster. The city is referred to as “Flower City” because of its grass gardens and several other green projects to make the city safe & eco-friendly making it the world’s greenest city.
The residents work vis-à-vis with the government to ensure the city is kept clean and free from pollution, as such, the city has become one of the most city has become the most favorite tourist and traveling destination in Germany because of its fresh atmosphere and cleanliness.
9. Oslo – Norway
Coming in at the ninth spot in the city of Oslo, capital of Norway and also the governmental and economic hub of the country. The city is surrounded by water, and it is endowed with beautiful landscapes and architecture. The city is well-kept thanks to its well-educated citizens who know the advantages of having a clean and unpolluted environment.
Keeping the city clean is a part of the local culture of Oslo. The city’s waste management system produces both fuel and electricity, which also boosts the power production of the country. To ensure the people’s compliance, they are educated on how to keep the environment is polluted.
10. Honolulu – U.S.A
Honolulu is the capital city of Hawaii, United States. This island city is one of the most remote major cities in the world and has managed to stay impressively clean despite its heavy traffic caused by tourist. Honolulu has very few polluting industries with an abundance of green spaces. Because it is a major tourist attraction in the United States Of America, Beautification and maintenance of public spaces are a high priority for the government.
More so, the strategic location of this city is another major factor why it experiences cleanliness, been established in the middle of the Pacific Ocean; the city residents ensure the city is well kept. More so, Honolulu has some of the lowest ozone levels in the country due to its location in the Pacific Ocean.
11. Hamburg – Germany
Hamburg ranks the 11th cleanest and one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world. Hamburg is the second-largest city in Germany after Berlin and the 7th largest city in the European Union with a population of over 1.84 million. It has set an ambitious target for itself promising to reduce its carbon emission by a total of 80% by 2050. Citizens are encouraged to use public transport and extensive funds are being channeled into developing clean technology.
12. Chicago – U.S.A
Chicago is unlike the others on the list candidate of the cleanest cities in the world. What birthed the city’s rank at this spot is it adopted an innovative approach to reducing pollution and littering. This city is well known for its bold architecture, it has a skyline punctuated by skyscrapers such as the iconic 1,451-ft John Hancock Center. The Sears Tower and neo-Gothic Tribune Tower. There are more than 2 million square feet of rooftop gardens and a well-developed network of public transport that helps Chicago reduce pollution.
13. Copenhagen – Denmark
Copenhagen is the most peaceful and colorful city in Denmark. The government has invested massively in water quality and its maintenance. This project has tremendously reduced air and water pollution. It is so effective that the area surrounding this clean City can be used for swimming sport, festivals, and competitions without fear of pollutants. Copenhagen is widely accepted as the country’s most environmentally friendly city in the world.
14. Helsinki – Finland
Helsinki is one of the many Nordic cities to make it to the list of the cleanest cities in the world. Helsinki pulls off the trick of being something of an international metropolis while still retaining a small-town feel. The residents of the city are very committed to preserving the environment and prevent littering. The government has also devised a complex and energy-efficient system of heating that helps it cut down on electricity consumption.
15. Reykjavik – Iceland
Reykjavik the largest and capital city of Iceland, a city to recharge, restore and refuel. Reykjavík is the most populated city and currently home to 232,280 people as at 2021 according to data released by Citypopulation, that’s two-thirds of the entire Icelandic population! Reykjavik not only ranks highly in the use of public transport, sustainability, recycling, and green spaces but also has a high overall human development index with people who are very much conscious of their environment. Reykjavik is a major player in ranking Iceland as one of the cleanest countries in the world.
16. Vienna – Austria
Vienna also know as Viennese Lebenskunst (“art of living”) is the capital of Austria, The smallest in area but the largest in population. It is a city renowned for its architecture, many of city’s urban prospects remain basically those devised over several centuries by imperial gardeners and architects. A lot of money has been invested in redesigning of the city after the world war II, Current city design now makes it easily navigated by foot and public transportation. More so, there has been serious effort put to effective garbage disposal system and most of the waste generated by this city is recycled, thus reducing pollution levels.
17. Geneva – Switzerland
It is no surprise that Geneva has made it to the list of the cleanest cities in the world. Geneva is the second-most populous and second largest city in Switzerland behind Zurich and the most international community in Europe with over 40% of its population coming from outside Switzerland. It is at the helm of the movement promoting sustainable development and also has very low pollution levels.
18. Curitiba – Brazil
Curitiba is the capital and largest city in the Brazilian state of Paraná currently home to1,948,626 people as of 2020. according to Wikipedia. The country Brazil may not be one of the cleanest countries in the world as we know it. But the unique system designed by Curitiba administration to ensure effective recycling of all most all waste generated in the city is responsible for curitiba in the 18th position in the world cleanest cities ranking. In Curitiba, sorted waste can be exchanged with coupons for public transport or food which incentivizes people to sort their waste enabling better recycling.
19. Nottingham – England
Nottingham is the cleanest city in England and has very low pollution levels as well as public littering. The city lies along the River Trent and affectionately known as the “Queen of the Midlands”. It is famed for its links with the world-renowned legend of Robin Hood. Authorities have also taken conscious efforts to tackle the problem of graffiti and disfigurement of public property.
20. Stockholm – Sweden
Stockholm the Capital of Sweden was awarded the title of Cleanest Capital in Europe by the European Union in 2010. On many counts like climate change, local transport, public green areas, air quality, noise, waste, sustainable utilization of land, and biodiversity, this city ticks all the right boxes. Stockholm has the most populous urban area in Sweden, 1 million people live in the municipality, approximately 1.6 million in the urban area, and 2.4 million in the metropolitan area of the city.
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Conclusion on the Cleanest Cities in the World 2021
To conclude the ranking list of the Cleanest Cities in the World It is important to make cleanliness a habit, and it is interesting to know that certain cities still adhere to cleanliness and ensure that their surroundings are kept clean. Living in a clean environment enhances good health and long life.
- Calgary – Canada
- Zurich – Switzerland
- Luxembourg City – Luxembourg
- Adelaide – Australia
- Singapore – Singapore
- Kobe – Japan
- Wellington – New Zealand
- Freiburg – Germany
- Oslo – Norway
- Honolulu – U.S.A
- Hamburg – Germany
- Chicago – U.S.A
- Copenhagen – Denmark
- Helsinki – Finland
- Reykjavik – Iceland
- Vienna – Austria
- Geneva – Switzerland
- Curitiba – Brazil
- Nottingham – England
- Stockholm – Sweden
These are the cities considered to be the cleanest in the world in 2021. If for nothing, because of the cleanliness you will be interested in visiting any of this cities. The list is not finite and may change anytime we have a new entry.