City leaders are taking bold steps to make their communities greener. These trailblazing civic projects include embracing alternative energy, promoting car-free living, and supporting urban forestry. greencitytimes.com/10-greenest-cities-in-the-world/

Cities with high GDP and small to medium population size have a very good green performance. They have high GPs in Air quality, Water, Sanitation and Transportation.
Sanitation

When it comes to being eco-friendly, many cities have made a significant effort to improve their environmental profile. However, some cities have excelled in green initiatives, showcasing what can be achieved when civic leaders combine scientific know-how and clout with the creativity of local businesses to drive sustainability forward. These 10 trailblazing cities show that sustainable development can go hand in hand with economic growth.

The greenest cities in America are all over the map, but many share similar traits: Low co2 emissions; reliance on renewable energy sources; effective transportation systems; high standards for green buildings; and a commitment to sustainability by citizens. These metrics are taken into account when determining each city’s Green City Ranking, created by Siemens and WalletHub.

Electricity (E; 10 points): Cities earn more points if they draw a large portion of their power from renewable resources, like wind or solar, as well as offering incentives for residents to invest in their own energy sources, such as roof-mounted solar panels. Transportation (T; 10 points): Cities score higher if their commuters take public transportation, carpool or bike to work. Air quality and the number of bike lanes also play a role in this category.

Building Standards (G; 5 points): Cities are ranked on how efficient their dwellings are, as well as how much space is devoted to greenery. Green Initiatives (R; 5 points): This category looks at the city’s recycling programs, how green its government is and how important citizens consider the environment in their daily lives.

Not surprisingly, California cities dominate the top of this list. But that’s because cities in the state have embraced a greener lifestyle, thanks to a combination of state-wide policies, eco-friendly laws and a culture of sustainability.

Other cities that earned a spot on the list include Madison, Wisconsin, which ranks fourth with some of the lowest car ownership rates in the country and an abundance of parks. Scottsdale, meanwhile, is the only Arizona city to break into the top 10, and it does so by boasting jaw-dropping scenery, some of the lowest greenhouse gas emissions and an environmentally friendly public transportation system.
Transportation

Although some cities are more environmentally sustainable than others, the top 10 greenest cities tend to be evenly spread across the country. They all have something to offer the environment, whether that's high energy-efficiency rates, low waste production or extensive bike lanes. These trailblazing civic projects demonstrate what can be accomplished when political leaders and local business owners back up their environmental visions with science, clout and creativity.

San Francisco took the top spot in the Green City Ranking, largely thanks to its bike-friendly policies and access to alternative-fuel stations (11 per square mile). The city also boasts the best air quality and has the most affordable living costs of any city on the list.

In second place, Seattle offers residents plenty of opportunities to go green. The city has a green transportation plan that aims to make ride-hailing and public transit carbon free by 2040, and it's incentivizing residents to switch to electric cars. The city is also working to improve its natural water systems by installing rain gardens and stormwater planters.

While some greenest cities are known for being hip and trendy, the rankings show that diverse places from all regions of the US made the cut. For example, New York ranked 23rd overall despite having the best transit score of any city on the list. That might come as a surprise to commuters who lose 35,000 hours every weekday waiting for trains that don't arrive.

Several cities from the Midwest and South made the top 10. Minneapolis scored highly in both the Food Production and Transportation categories, while St. Louis and Grand Prairie were ranked low in both areas due to their car-friendly infrastructures.

Although the US has many eco-friendly initiatives, European cities are still the most sustainable on the planet. Stockholm, Sweden, ranks first worldwide in both the People and Planet subcategories, while Frankfurt, Paris, Copenhagen, Helsinki and Zurich all rank in the top 10. The study found that North American cities focus on profit and economic success but lag behind in other categories like climate protection and community health. It's time to shift the balance, according to the study.
Energy

Using data from a variety of sources, the Green City Ranking evaluates cities based on several different categories. These include low co2 emissions, the percentage of renewable energy sources used and the efficiency of buildings. It also looks at a city's use of public transportation, car sharing programs and bicycle routes. Finally, it takes into account a city's waste management practices and recycling rates.

The ranking was created by Arcadis and includes cities from all over the world, though the majority of the top 20 were located in North America. In fact, California dominated the list with five cities in the top 10. Seattle (No. 2), San Diego (No. 3) and Oakland (No. 5) were all in the top 10, while Minneapolis (No. 9) is an eco-friendly city with bike trails and plenty of green spaces, as well as a low cost of living.

These cities are considered to be environmentally friendly because they have lower co2 emissions and more sustainable energy sources than the average urban area. Additionally, they have a high level of public transportation and car-sharing options, as well as low levels of air pollution. They also have many green initiatives and are focused on improving the quality of life for their citizens.

For example, Seattle is home to the first carbon-neutral electric utility and boasts a number of green restaurants. Philadelphia is committed to improving its natural water systems and has a plan called Green City, Clear Water. It's also a leader in the use of hybrid and clean diesel vehicles.

Other criteria that the ranking uses include the amount of green space, a city's commitment to sustainability and environmental governance. The Big Apple is a leader in environmental governance with an extensive system of incentives and policies. It also ranked highly in the category of transportation, with the highest score for transit, with its light rail system and bike-sharing program.

For those who wish to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, these are some of the best green cities for you to move to. With a low cost of living, many of these cities offer attractive real estate prices for homes close to parks, gardens and other environmentally-friendly attractions. They also have a good track record for providing safe, healthy and affordable housing.
Water

A number of the cities that made the Green City Times list exemplify sustainable urban planning, use multiple clean energy technological solutions and provide environmentally friendly public transit. Some have even taken bold greenhouse gas emission reduction and climate mitigation strategies and implemented related public policies and legislative mandates.

Many of the cities also prioritize green urban spaces and maintain vibrant urban forestry. Several use a mix of solar, wind and biomass energy sources. In addition, a few have introduced innovative new technologies like biofuel blends and LNG, CNG and SNG (from natural gas) into their energy mixes.

San Francisco, for example, has a very comprehensive recycling program and is known as the first U.S. city to require all buildings to separate trash from compost and recyclables. This trailblazing effort has earned the California capital a spot on our list. The Bay Area is also the first city to offer incentives for residents to install rooftop solar panels.

While most of the cities on our list focus on the power sources they use, a few stand out for their work in water management. Seattle, for instance, has the highest score of any city in our rankings for its water conservation efforts. It uses rain gardens and green stormwater infrastructure projects to help reduce water pollution, including from stormwater runoff. It is also working to improve its watersheds and has a long-term goal of being completely rainwater-fed by 2040.

One of the most effective ways to reduce a city's carbon footprint is by investing in public mass transit. The cities that make our top 10 lists all invest heavily in efficient, low-emissions public transportation systems. And, they all have a commitment to preserving the environment and maintaining a high quality of life for their residents.

While hearing the term "green" may bring to mind young and hip west coast cities, our list proves that diverse cities from all regions of the US can be green. We used a variety of sources to find the most eco-friendly cities in the country, from Save on Energy's annual tons of waste per capita, to the Siemens Green City Index and Arcadis.