Our best addresses in the 4 most eco-conscious cities on the planet

You've probably wondered what living in a sustainable city looks like. Do not search anymore. You'll find the answer in our ELLE Green City Guide written by ELLE journalists from the most eco-friendly and eco-conscious cities on the planet, from Vancouver and Sydney to San Francisco and Copenhagen. Being green has never been so easy!

Cover photo: Despite a lack of natural resources, Singapore is one of the twenty lowest carbon cities in the world. With more than 72 hectares of green roofs and green walls, it is nicknamed "the garden city". Its most famous attraction? The gigantic futuristic trees of Gardens by the Bay. These constructions several meters high are the backdrop for absolutely exceptional light shows.

SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco is known worldwide as the greenest and most innovative city in the United States. Plastic bags have been officially banned there since 2007 and the metropolis is on the way to becoming the very first zero-waste American city by 2020.

Hotels

1. Cavallo Point

The breathtaking view of the Golden Gate Bridge is a dream factor at Sausalito's Cavallo Point. Additionally, sustainability tops the hotel's priority list. All electrical appliances are energy efficient and the hotel bar was made from reclaimed wood from a felled tree.

2. Inn at the Presidio

The former military base of the Presidio is now a national park and the historic officers' quarters have been transformed into an eco-responsible boutique hotel. The Presidio works with local suppliers within an 8 kilometer radius and does not take recycling lightly. Worn jeans as a sustainable solution for insulation, does that speak to you? Yes, they can.

vintage shops

3.Wallflower

The bohemian and trendy boutique is the calling card of the Mission District, the artistic heart of San Francisco. Wallflower is run by two BFFs with a passion for '70s clothing and accessories. You'll also find collectibles from co-owner Victoria, as well as creations from local designers.

Concept Stores

4. Gather

Gather is emerging as the missing link between manufacturers and consumers. The concept store is the success story of a committed couple who want to go back to basics with handmade and locally produced products. The perfect spot to unearth meaningful souvenirs, original accessories and adorable gadgets.

5. The Perish Trust

The Perish Trust is the project of a graphic designer and a photographer. This dreamy lifestyle boutique is the must stop for nostalgic souls who appreciate organic, homemade bath products packaged in retro, on-trend packaging.

6. March

The MARCH design store has everything you need to outfit your sustainable home, from designer and unique kitchenware to tasty, home-grown ingredients.

Restaurants

7. The Perennial

For The Perennial, sustainability is a way of life. All vegetables come from the vegetable garden and green waste is composted. Chef Chris Kiyuna even salvages empty walnut shells for his smoker instead of using ready-to-use wood chips.

8. Hog Island Oyster Bar

Who says oysters, does not necessarily say ecology. Yes ? The Hog Island Oyster Bar, located on the waterfront in San Francisco, has developed its own sustainable aquaculture technique for raising and harvesting oysters by hand.

9. Gracias Madre

The Café Gratitude team launched this restaurant concept with a lot of plant-based Mexican specialties. Taco lover and eco-entrepreneur, Terces Engelhart swears by organic, non-genetically modified ingredients sourced from local farmers.

Cafes & co

10. Samovar Tea Bar

Samovar Tea Bar has a soft spot for small tea producers and supports sustainable agricultural projects. Its mission: to promote a healthy lifestyle through a cup of green tea that benefits everyone.

11. long live Pie

It is the project of a Belgian couple who, after their honeymoon, did not want to leave San Francisco. Vive La Tarte describes itself as an “artisanal bakery” for homemade organic bread and pastries. This modest little start-up that started in 2011 is now a thriving company with various subsidiaries. The American dream!

Wellness

12. Sen Spa

A metropolis like San Francisco can quickly become a source of stress. Fortunately, SenSpa offers the perfect antidote to outside pressure. Relax in the Swiss shower or the eucalyptus hammam, then enjoy a healthy lunch at the bar. The cocoon address par excellence to reset body and mind.

Tourism

13. Golden Gate Park, MH de Young Museum, California Academy of Science

In addition to being one of the most sustainable parks in the United States, Golden Gate Park is home to several museums worth checking out. With a spectacular facade in recycled copper, the Young Museum of Modern Art recently moved into a brand new building. On the other side is the California Academy of Science, the only aquarium/planetarium/rainforest and natural history museum in the world.

14. Recology

The progressive Artist-in-Residence program at San Francisco Recycling Park puts the benefits of reuse into practice. Promising young artists have a studio on site and unlimited access to the landfill. From waste to art, there is only one step for the 2.0 container park.

SYDNEY

Sydney, a real tourist hotspot for many years, needs no introduction. Thanks to the “Sustainable Sydney 2030” program, the city has also become a utopia for green explorers. On the program: replacement of all street lamps with high-efficiency LED lamps, extension of the network of cycle paths and development of a green zone with the planting of 716 trees.

Hotels

1. Paperbark Camp

A two-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney (yes, distances in Australia are huge!), you'll find idyllic Jervis Bay. Luxury tents offering every comfort are scattered in a vast eucalyptus forest. Forget fences. Everything here is just unlimited access to lush nature.

2. Only Wolgan valley

A little further inland (well OK, a three hour drive, but well worth it!) you can stay in one of the secluded low environmental impact villas overlooking the National Park of Wolgan Valley. Taste local delicacies, soak in the chemical-free spa and explore nature on horseback. The result: an ultimate feeling of freedom.

vintage shops

3. The Vintage Clothing Shop

Vintage stores allow you to shop mindfully and without guilt, while providing the pleasure of wearing a unique piece! The Vintage Clothing Shop is a paradise for all tastes and budgets.

4. Reuze Vintage

Reuze Vintage opened its doors seven years ago and quickly became an institution for affordable second-hand clothing in Sydney. The store focuses primarily on Australian fashion from the 1950s to the present day. For those who want to bring a little piece of Australia home...

Concept Stores

5. The Standard Store

An airy and 100% ecological shop with (almost) exclusively Australian brands. The Standard Store offers handpicked labels and limited editions from local designers. No wonder eco-conscious hipsters push the door of this shop like no other.

Restaurants

6. Nomad

Nomad makes the difference thanks to a sustainable business plan and a 100% local menu. Forget bottled water and drink filtered and bottled water on site. Additionally, the restaurant donates 10% of its water revenue to the Whole World Water Fund.

7. Red Lantern

The Red Lantern is not only the most renowned Vietnamese restaurant in the world, but also the most eco-inventive. The kitchen brigade introduced the first wok without a water system and developed their own method of converting used cooking oil into biofuel.

8. Yulli's

Yulli's continues where the traditional vegan restaurant leaves off. The dishes are particularly tasty, the atmosphere is halfway between cool and urban, the quality beer is brewed in house and the menu is appreciated by all. Even the most die-hard meat eaters will be won over.

Cafes & co

9. The Grounds of Alexandria

This coffee roaster adjoining the grand café with ecological garden extends over the area of ​​a former pastry shop. The menu corresponds to a heavenly list of local and fresh specialties, based on fair trade ingredients. To stimulate customers' ecological awareness, a free coffee is offered to cyclists or carpoolers.

10. Sanduba

Sanduba serves healthy and fresh meals with respect for people and the environment. The coffee cups are 100% biodegradable and excess food is donated to charities.

Wellness

11. Luna Beauty Apothecary

Personalized advice and 100% natural skincare products. It's not for nothing that Luna Beauty Apothecary is ELLE Australia's favourite. The beauty team attaches great importance to health and approaches the concept of well-being with a holistic approach.

Tourism

12. Wendy's Secret Garden To cope with the passing of her husband and only daughter, artist Wendy Whiteley poured all her energy into creating a hidden garden on a derelict lot around the corner from her street. The secret oasis has turned into a place of calm and reflection. Twenty-five years later, Wendy still takes care of the maintenance and management of the garden with a team of volunteers.

COPENHAGEN

The 'Green Capital of Europe 2014' is stepping up a gear to become the first carbon-neutral capital by 2025. The Danes are the green pioneers par excellence, with Copenhagen taking center stage. No less than 88% of food in public services is organic, 71% of hotel rooms have an eco-certificate and bicycles are the symbol of the city.

Hotels

1. Ibsens Hotel

Trendy boutique hotel Ibsens is tucked away down a narrow alley in the green hipster neighborhood of Nansengade. An essential address for lovers of eclectic interiors that combines recycled furniture and tasty dishes from the short circuit.

2. Hotel SP34

SP34 is the perfect compromise between bohemian lifestyle and cutting-edge Danish design. In order to promote social interaction, guests are invited each evening to share a beer or a glass of wine. Special mention for the delicious and entirely organic breakfast.

vintage shops

3.Episode

Shopping vintage or second-hand is the easiest (and most undervalued) way to reduce your ecological footprint. Episode is a wonderful, fantasy world filled with vintage gems at an affordable price. A win-win combination!

Concept Stores

4. Aiayu

Here you will find divine bed linen and comfy sweatshirts or t-shirts made in a fair way and from natural materials. In a zero waste philosophy, all textile scraps are recovered and transformed into cool and unique pieces. That's not all. The repair shop gives you five free repairs per part.

5. Res Res

In full: Respect Resources. As the name of this committed family business suggests, here respect for people and the planet is the priority. At Res Res, you'll shop clothes for all ages without hurting your eco-consciousness. Organic, sustainability and fair trade, the healthy trio winning green souls.

Restaurants

6. Kadeau

With two Michelin stars, Kadeau will give you a wonderful experience. This back to nature cuisine serves the best of Bornholm, this Danish island in the Baltic Sea and stronghold of the flagship restaurant. Not to be missed: the fresh fruit juices made from currants or blueberries and organic vegetables.

7. Vaekst

Push the door of the starred restaurant Vækst in the old Latin quarter of Copenhagen. The famous chocolate cake is served here in a pot of flowers, while echoing the establishment's photogenic green interior and its hanging plants. The vegetal theme is also subtly taken up in the veggie menu.

8. The Organic Boho

The Organic Boho brings Ibiza vibes to Copenhagen in a relaxed vibe. The menu is 100% organic and vegan, the dishes Instagrammable. Delicious, healthy and good for the planet, what more could you ask for?

Cafes & co

9. Social Foodies

The brilliant concept of this self-proclaimed food nut both happy and unpretentious combines good food and fair trade. Or how to support social projects in Denmark and Africa by simply going for a coffee.

Wellness

10. Beauty Avenue

Owner Stella and her team's eco-friendly spa was unanimously voted by ELLE Denmark as the go-to spot for pampering. All skincare products are holistic, natural, non-toxic, not tested on animals, long-lasting and beneficial of course.

Tourism

11.GoBoat

The coolest way to explore Copenhagen's network of waterways is to travel by silent, solar-powered boat. Cruise the charming canals and make your life easier by pre-booking a hearty picnic on board.

12. Norrebrogade Flea Market and Ravnsborggade Market

Every Saturday, go to the Norrebrogade flea market in Norrebro. Wander past dozens of stalls selling Danish design, retro crockery and other favorites against a backdrop of yellow walls. Haggling is an art. However, try to save enough time and money for the Ravnsborggade market, a popular open-air meeting place where local shops take out their stalls every week.

VANCOUVER

The Canadian port city is not without reason in the Top 5 cities in the world offering the best quality of life. Vancouver wants to become the greenest city in the world by 2020. A realistic ambition given that 80% of the objectives have already been achieved thanks to energy-efficient buildings, sustainable beaches and the cleanest tap water. pure in the world.

Hotels

1. The Fairmont Waterfront

The Fairmont is a pioneer in sustainability. Its green roof is home to Vancouver's largest bee population. In return, the hotel collects some 90 kg of honey each year, the star ingredient on the menu.

2. The Listel Hotel

The relaxed atmosphere will make you feel at home straight away and ecological awareness is part of the style of the house. Zero waste literally means nothing here gets thrown away. Each floor has a water bar where you can refill your designer glass carafe with freshly filtered tap water.

Concept Stores

3.Front and Company

Front continues to amaze with its eccentric and unusual displays. The sustainable concept store has been the forerunner of mindful shopping and low impact living since 1993. Long before global warming made headlines…

4.Walrus

A cozy boutique filled with eco-friendly souvenirs with a penchant for Canadian design from local designers. Walrus also offers the full line of natural skincare products from Woodlot.

vintage shops

5.turnabout

Turnabout takes recycling very seriously. Not only do the clothes and accessories find a second life there, but the fitting rooms are fitted out according to a theme with reclaimed wood. It's unquestionably seventh heaven in fashion for avid collectors of big-name vintage essentials (Chanel, Hermès and all the others).

6. Hey Jude

Don't say "second-hand" to describe Hey Jude's contemporary design selection. All the pieces that cross the threshold of the store are carefully screened and only the best enter the selection of the season. Furthermore, Hey Jude intends to be a platform for independent local labels with a sustainable approach.

Cafes & co

10. Lupii Cafe

The community café is fully committed to zero waste and social commitment. A team of volunteers recovers shunned vegetables from local supermarkets to put them on the menu of a sustainable and fresh menu of the day. Food surpluses are in turn donated to charities. Lupii does not display fixed opening hours. Check the Facebook page for updates.

11. A Bread Affair

The slogan "Love at first bite" perfectly sums up the passion for the house's bread and is an ode to organic ingredients grown within a radius of 100 kilometers.

Restaurants

12. Granville Island

Granville Island's covered food market brings together the tastiest specialties from local producers. Enough to titillate the taste buds of gourmets all day long. Fans of industrial heritage will not be left out as they will stroll among restored warehouses in a relaxed urban atmosphere. Granville Island's eco-friendly policy includes zero tolerance for waste (plastic packaging has been banned there since 2014), several charging stations for electric cars and smart metering systems to control energy consumption .

13. The Acorn

The Acorn was voted 'Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurant in Town' by local magazine 'Westender'. This crowd favorite is sustainable through and through, while emphasizing fresh produce and social projects. This is how local artists are highlighted via The Acorn Artist Series.

14. Fairmont Pacific Rim

(The Lobby Lounge)

Do you like sushi but want to respect the environment? Push the door of The Lobby Lounge. Here we only serve 100% Ocean-Wise certified fish species from sustainable fishing.

Wellness

15. Tranquility Organic Spa

Pure relaxation. Tranquility Organic Spa offers à la carte treatments, works exclusively with organic and natural products, and pushes the boundaries of hygiene. The nail salon only uses Swarovski crystal files that are less absorbent and therefore more sterile than traditional files.

Sightseeing

16. Seawall

The longest uninterrupted pedestrian promenade in the world is the best way to discover the vast coastline. Walk, jog or skate at your own pace for 28 kilometres, while taking in the views of Vancouver Bay.

17.Stanley Park

Stanley Park's urban jungle is an unplanned godsend. In 2013, the natural urban forest was voted “Best Park in the World” (sorry, Manhattan!) by TripAdvisor.

18. Grouse Grind

Mother Nature's Staircase is a steep, nearly two-mile mountain trail leading to the summit of Grouse Mountain. The natural domain is also the new home base of two grizzly bear cubs and a pack of retired movie wolves. Or how to make your contribution to the reception of abandoned animals while playing sports.

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