Rotterdam is one of the world’s busiest ports, and the busiest port in Europe. Despite this it’s also one of Europe’s greenest cities. Tomas Mowlam checks out Rotterdam’s eco credentials.

For a start they have two new electric buses rolling silently through the streets. Rotterdam authorities today announced the introduction of two e-Traction 384 volt buses, with over 14 hours road time from a charge.

Icecap saving buses aren’t the only green thing about Rotterdam however, for a start it has a brilliant public transport system (like most Dutch cities), with 28 bus lines, nine tram lines, and two subway lines ensuring you can get almost anywhere in the city without starting your car. And if you really need to drive, there are green car rental companies like Greenwheels.

Two wheels are better than four however, and it’s easy to rent a bike from countless stands around the city. Rotterdam is busy but cyclists have plenty of bike paths to keep them safe from motorists.

Rotterdam has several great markets where you can buy good value, local food and should you feel like eco friendly rave then there’s the Sustainable Dance Club, and eco hotels such as Hotel Bazar to sleep it off in.

It’s all part of the Rotterdam Carbon Initiative which aims to slash carbon emissions by 2025, to half of 1990’s levels. Even the Netherland’s favourite sport – football – has been co-opted into this, with demands that Kuip Rotterdam, a new stadium for the Holland Belgium 2018/2022 world cup bid must be eco friendly.

It has earned the city the accolade of World Capital for Carbon Capture Storage, which may all sound a little esoteric, but it’s cheering to see how a huge industrial city like Rotterdam can be such a clean and green place to live or visit.

P&O Ferries sails a daily, overnight ferry service from Hull to Rotterdam, from £149 each way.

Image Credit: Trebaxus on Wiki Commons

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