Sustainability Across Europe: What Students Can Learn from Six Cities

"We're glad our students can experience sustainability across all our campuses, not only in the classroom but beyond it,” shares Laetitia Langlois, ESCP's sustainability manager. “And our local campus sustainability representatives are always on hand to answer any questions."

Berlin, Germany
A deep-rooted culture of sustainability

Berlin has emerged as Europe's leading innovation hub, set apart by its startup scene and advances in green tech, sustainable food systems and circular economy. Recognised as one of Europe's greener capitals, the city combines creative urban planning with a strong local and national culture of reuse and environmental awareness.

Home to numerous social impact enterprises, NGOs and research institutes, Berlin creates an ecosystem where students can engage with leaders driving the green transition and witness how entrepreneurial thinking is reshaping traditional approaches to environmental challenges.

Sustainability is visible both in neighbourhood life and in Berlin's start-up economy. One of the clearest examples is Tempelhofer Feld: the former airport is now a vast public space used for cycling, recreation, biodiversity projects and community gardening. Sustainable mobility is also part of daily life. Berlin's extensive public transport system, cycling infrastructure and shared-mobility services make living without a car realistic for much of its residents. Repair cafés, second-hand shops, upcycling projects and sharing initiatives all reflect a wider move towards a circular economy.

For students, Berlin offers a useful example of how sustainability can grow from both government policy and everyday habits, serving as a strong base for clean tech, renewable energy and environmental innovation.

Paris, France
Weaving legacy and tradition with the future

Paris is at the forefront of international sustainability dialogue as the birthplace of the Paris Climate Agreement and home to organisations such as the OECD and UN Environment Programme. As a hub for global companies in fashion, luxury, and energy, Paris lets students see how leading industries, especially those with deep cultural legacies, are merging sustainability into their corporate strategies.

The city also offers one of Europe's most interesting urban transformation stories: how a dense, historic capital can adapt to a hotter, lower-carbon future. One of the most visible changes is the shift towards cycling and walking, with expanded cycling infrastructure, especially in formerly traffic-dominated areas like the Seine riverbanks. Heat adaptation is another major focus, with shaded public spaces, more vegetation, and better access to water during extreme heat.

As a national and international centre of economic, cultural and political activity, Paris offers students a close view of sustainability policymaking, governance, and how decisions translate into everyday city life.

Madrid, Spain
Greener living under the sun

As ESCP's most southern campus city, Madrid is a great place to see sustainability and climate resilience in action in a major Mediterranean metropolis.

Extensive green space is one of the city's most visible benefits. El Retiro Park and Casa de Campo offer plenty of room for walking, sport and picnics, while the 75-km Metropolitan Forest project is creating a large green belt around the city. These spaces are more than recreational: they also help Madrid respond to rising temperatures and protect biodiversity.

There's even more in the commitment to greening the city. Madrid has been named a "Tree City of the World" by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, in recognition of its efforts to build healthier urban forests over time. With 55% of its streets tree-lined, residents benefit from a better overall quality of life, among many other upsides. Madrid also has a strong culture of urban gardening and agroecology, helping make sustainable food production more accessible to city dwellers.

Transport is another important part of the city's sustainability efforts. Madrid continues to expand lower-emission public transport, while BiciMAD, its public electric-bike system, operates throughout the city.

Beyond city life, Madrid benefits from Spain's strong solar and wind-energy sectors. This makes it an especially interesting place for students keen to explore how climate adaptation, clean energy and urban sustainability intersect.

London, England
Where sustainability meets global business

London's position as a global financial hub has helped sustainable investment and green finance grow alongside traditional finance. The city is now home to thriving greentech ecosystems, for example in climate, property and food, offering promising opportunities for students interested in combining environmental impact with business.

The city is serious about sustainability, and its size makes it one of Europe's most interesting places to see environmental policy in practice. Like other major cities, London has implemented wide-reaching measures to meet 2030 Net Zero carbon targets. The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) aims to ensure that vehicles across every London borough meet emissions standards, while action plans support the retrofitting of older homes for energy efficiency and the introduction of stricter standards for new buildings. Together with extensive and ever-greener public transport and growing cycling infrastructure, these measures show how a major city can work towards a more sustainable future for its residents.

Green space is also a major part of London life. Parks and other open areas cover a large share of Greater London, giving the city a surprisingly green character for such a dense global capital. One of London's most notable recent green-space transformations is Grosvenor Square in Mayfair, which has been redesigned with climate resilience in mind.

Turin, Italy
From an industrial past to a resilient future

Turin has long been Italy's industrial capital, home to household names like FIAT and Lavazza. What makes Turin's story so compelling is how closely it's tied to its industrial roots: the city is now going through an impressive green transformation, working steadily towards climate neutrality.

Once the heart of the Italian automotive industry, Turin is now a testing ground for cleaner mobility, energy and urban innovation. Former industrial sites are being reworked for new uses, and parts of the city serve as test areas for new transportation solutions. Decades of expertise in car manufacturing is now leveraged directly in lower-carbon transport, making it one of Turin's greatest strengths.

Turin's location is sure to be appealing for those who enjoy spending time outdoors. Within the city, you can escape to the Po River, Parco del Valentino and the surrounding hills, while the Italian Alps are a short train ride away, and can be seen on a clear day.

For students, Turin is a real-world case study in industrial transition. It shows how engineering, manufacturing and urban development can evolve together to meet climate goals, a practical example of a city reinventing itself while preserving its unique historical identity.

Warsaw, Poland
A Green Transition in Progress

As one of Europe's up-and-coming cities, Warsaw offers a blend of history, nature and modern urban development. Its sustainability journey reflects the rapid transformation of a city modernising its infrastructure while addressing the environmental legacy of the past.

Warsaw is at the centre of Poland's shift towards cleaner energy, making issues such as heating, building efficiency and decarbonisation particularly visible. Greener building standards are becoming an important part of this transition, with greater attention being paid to energy efficiency, rainwater management and lower-emission construction.

Nature is another distinctive feature of the city. The Vistula River runs through Warsaw, with parts of its banks remaining surprisingly wild. Walking and cycling routes sit alongside areas that provide important habitats for birds and other wildlife. The city is also working to reduce traffic-related pollution. In 2024, it introduced Poland's first Clean Transport Zone, restricting the most polluting vehicles in central areas.

For students, Warsaw offers the opportunity to explore sustainability as a transition in progress—one shaped by environmental, economic and social questions developing at the same time.