Antwerp and Brussels are getting more sustainable

Antwerp and Brussels have made progress in terms of sustainability compared to other cities worldwide. This is evident from the new edition of the Sustainable Cities Index, a study by the consultancy and engineering firm Arcadis. Antwerp rises from place 43 to 27, Brussels from 47 to 38. Oslo in Norway is at the very top.

In the Index, one hundred world cities are ranked according to three sustainability pillars: "people", "planet" and "profit". Comparisons are made on indicators such as infrastructure, green space, air quality, work-life balance, business climate and connectivity. In principle, this is a biennial study, but due to the corona crisis, the previous edition already dates from 2018.

Strikingly, Antwerp does particularly well in the "planet" category, with an eighth place. According to Arcadis itself, this is the most important pillar, as sustainability in our natural environment is "the fragile foundation on which people's lives and companies' profits are built". It is mainly about limiting emissions, sustainable (public) transport and energy consumption and efficiency. Brussels ranks 30th on this list.

The 'people' pillar places Brussels 21st and Antwerp 23rd. These include inclusiveness, healthcare, education, security and income equality. In terms of profit, the Belgian cities are clearly struggling. Brussels ranks 59th, Antwerp a little lower at 67th. This pillar looks at the business climate, the stock market value of companies based in the city, job security, job quality and access to transport, electricity, affordable housing and connectivity. American cities in particular do well there.

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