Amsterdam tops the Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index

Amsterdam's sustainability success

Amsterdam has been named the most sustainable city in the world 2024 by the consultancy and engineering organisation Arcadis. Followed closely by Rotterdam, the Dutch cities demonstrate a comprehensive and practical approach to sustainability in the Netherlands. Alongside them, European cities such as Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Munich, and Oslo also performed exceptionally well in terms of sustainability metrics. 

Arcadis assessed cities based on a wide range of criteria, from climate goals to women's education levels and the extent of sustainable progress. This comprehensive approach ensured that cities were evaluated on their overall performance and commitment to sustainable development.

This is the sixth edition of the global ranking, which introduces a fourth pillar of assessment: ‘progress’. According to Arcadis, Amsterdam’s continued high ranking shows how sustainable progress can be maintained and enhanced over time. The city's strategy to cut emissions by 95 per cent by 2050, compared to 1990 levels, has been particularly commended. Additionally, Amsterdam has significantly increased its share of renewable energy sources and set ambitious goals to reduce total energy consumption by 2030.

"The challenge for leading cities like Amsterdam or Copenhagen is to continue their rapid trajectory," Arcadis highlighted. With 2030 approaching—a pivotal year for global sustainable development—it is crucial for cities to demonstrate a strong commitment to accelerating the transition to a more sustainable, inclusive, and fairer world.

Global perspectives

After a fully European top 10, the list sees Seoul as the highest-ranking city at 11th place. Among other Asian cities, Shanghai and Beijing stood out, ranking 19th and 20th respectively. Australian cities performed well too, generally finishing in the top half. In contrast, North American cities, with a few exceptions like San Francisco (35th), New York (48th), and Toronto (49th), lagged behind.

Local progress

Innovative urban solutions can be seen throughout the city. Amsterdam is known for its creative approaches to urban sustainability, including smart city initiatives like the solar panel initiative or the smart grid project, green blue roof infrastructure, and community-driven projects like the green living lab or Schoonschip, a smart grid community. These solutions have played a significant role in enhancing the city's sustainability profile.

Amsterdam and Rotterdam's top rankings underscore the Netherlands' leadership in urban sustainability. As the world moves towards 2030, these cities serve as benchmarks for others aiming to achieve substantial environmental and social progress.