Study: Athens Among World’s Most Sustainable Cities

Acropolis, Athens. Photo source: This is Athens

Athens has been recognized as one of the world’s most sustainable cities, according to the 2024 Sustainable Cities Index by the design and consulting firm Arcadis.

Introduced in 2015, the Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index serves as a benchmark for measuring the environmental, social, and economic health of cities. Based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), its four main pillars are the planet, profit, people, and the newly entered progress.

“Each core pillar of the SCI aligns with specific SDGs, emphasizing the interconnectedness between city performance and global development,” the company’s experts said.

The Greek capital secured the 51st position on the index, thanks to the factors mentioned above, as well as its potential for sustainable progress through the adoption of more ‘green’ practices.

Amsterdam tops the 2024 Sustainable Cities Index, ranking sixth in the planet pillar, 42nd in the people, first in the profit, and 11th in the newly introduced progress category.

According to the experts, the Dutch capital’s strong performance is a clear example of how sustainable developments can continue to be made, no matter how high a city ranks.

Rotterdam is the second most sustainable city, while the top 10 also includes Copenhagen (3rd), Frankfurt (4th), Munich (5th), Oslo (6th), Hamburg (7th), Berlin (8th), Warsaw (9th), and London (10th).

“Progress toward a sustainable future relies heavily on the sustainability performances of our cities,” experts emphasized, “yet the SCI data consistently indicates that cities worldwide must do more.”