It
It
may be the home of rather intense black-metal music and
world-famous skiing events, but in Oslo,
warmth and peace are surprisingly easy to come by too. The summers
are famously light and hot, with fjord swims and sunny hikes
aplenty - but as with much of Scandinavia, it's "snug" and
"dramatic" that the Norwegian capital nails the best.
Oslo may be a tiny city with less than 700,000 residents, but
its eco-credentials punch well above its weight. In 2016 it
introduced a "climate budget" with a goal to reduce emissions by 95
per cent by 2030; 1,000 trees were planted for the Future Library
project two years later; in 2019, it was crowned the European Green
Capital.
Oslo's young professionals and creatives may scatter themselves
among the hip, diverse neighbourhoods of Grünerløkka and Tøyen, or
the more bougie Frogner and St Hanshaugen - all Parisian-esque
facades and tree-lined streets of mansions - but the main thing
this city's dwellers have in common is their commitment to time
spent in nature.
Ergo, the city's green, sustainable-leisure offering is
increasing too. Visitors will find eco-friendly hotels committed to
eliminating waste and championing reusable materials, restaurants
that support third-world communities, as well as spas and saunas
scattered between the city's central harbour and the dense
surrounding forest.
In a time when travellers are becoming more eco-conscious, it's
interesting to see Oslo's dedication to learning and introducing
the bigger ideas behind eco work. Indeed, this year's Oslo
Innovation Week goes digital with its aim to solve real global
challenges through entrepreneurship, innovation and green tech -
the subjects of its panels include energy, circular economy and
life-science investment.
With all this in mind, Oslo makes a great spot for a sustainable
city-break. We've picked out some of the best places to stay and
play for eco-conscious travellers.
