Oslo as European Green Capital 2019

Oslo has big plans. Already named the European Green Capital in 2019, the city aims to cut emissions by 95% by 2030 and to be entirely carbon compensated by 2050. Nestled downtown just steps from the city's main shopping street, the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Oslo is setting the perfect example with its green mindset. Find out how the hotel is pulling its weight and how you can become a part of it.

Being an environmentally conscious traveler isn't easy. But when you choose sustainable lodgings, you're already miles ahead. When you're looking for a hotel, look out for its “Green Key certification,” the leading standard for environmental responsibility. The Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Oslo is among the city's top eco-labeled hotels. And it doesn't hurt that the 22-storey design hub also has one of the city's best rooftop bars to boot.

Using public transport is one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Luckily, Oslo has an excellent bike sharing system in place called Oslo Bysykkel with over 250 stations around the city. Europe's self-proclaimed “electric vehicle capital” has electric car charging stations seemingly at every corner with 1 in 5 private cars being electric, and from 2021, all ferries will be battery powered.

From cozy bistros to Michelin-starred restaurants: More and more restaurants in Oslo are offering green menus. That is, dishes prepared with locally-grown, organic produce or entirely meat-free meals. Raw, vegan, and vegetarian restaurants are popping up everywhere, and bakeries are opting for traditional techniques and pure ingredients free of pesticides and additives. The Vippa food fall (build out of shipping containers, naturally) is a good place to start for sustainable eats the world over.

Over two thirds of Oslo is made up of protected forests, waterways, and agriculture, and it's easy to see the benefits. Join the locals for an early morning swim in the crystal-clear harbor, visit the urban farm of Losaeter, a communal planting space where fields are planted with heritage grains and leafy greens, or follow one of many hiking trails just outside of the city, winding through fairy tale like forests.

A pioneer in green tech, Oslo is the perfect city for business. As of 2019, Radisson Hotel Group is the first global hotel chain to automatically compensate all CO2 generated through meetings and events. That means, when you book a venue through Radisson Meetings, the carbon footprint is calculated and then compensate through projects like wind farms in Turkey and biogas installations in India. The Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Oslo with its 2,000 square meters of elegant conference space, offers everything you need under one roof.

According to Greenpeace's Living, Moving, Breathing report published in 2018, Oslo was the only city in their analysis that had emissions below both the European Union limit and the World Health Organization guidelines. And with five hotels to choose from around the city, including the glossy Radisson Blu Hotel Nydalen Oslo, located in one of the city's trendiest districts, you'll have many reasons to return to this stunning Scandinavian capital.

Planning a trip to Oslo? Discover all our Radisson Blu hotels in the city and share your green travel experiences on Instagram with the hashtag #RadissonBlu!