Oslo's location gives the city unexpected qualities for a national capital and there are many eco-certified providers.
Its location
Oslo's location adds to its green look and secures the city clean air and clean water, and Oslo is so to speak green by nature. The total area is 450 km2 (175 sq mi) but only 1/3 of the area is developed or urbanised. And we are only 600 000 inhabitants.
Oslo is located at the head of Oslo Fjord, surrounded by forested ridges.
Strict laws regulate the exploitation of the forests, to the benefit of future generations of Oslo citizens as well as visitors. This unspoiled environment is an important asset for Oslo and the surrounding countryside also provides recreational opportunities for the city’s inhabitants and visitors, in summer and winter alike.
A strong municipal vision
The municipality of Oslo has a strong vision for Oslo as a sustainable city, and many actions are in operation:
"Oslo has a vision that Oslo shall be a capital city in sustainable development, characterised by economic, social and cultural growth according to nature's ability to sustain that growth ecologically. We shall pass on the city to the next generation in a better environmental condition than we ourselves inherited it. Oslo shall be one of the world's most environmentally friendly and sustainable capital cities."
Read more about Oslo’s sustainable development. 
A responsible meetings industry
There are three major environmental agents certifying the Norwegian meetings industry:
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The Nordic Swan
is a Nordic eco label established by the Nordic Council of Ministers. It provides the enterprises with strict, exact and high level environmental criteria within waste, water, energy and supplier chain. All criteria have to be met before certification is reached and the criteria are continuously improved. Today, 32% of Oslo's hotel rooms are labelled The Nordic Swan.
Eco-Lighthouse
Eco-lighthouse provides both an environmental managing system and concrete actions for better environmental performance. Certificate is renewed after three years. It is established by the large trade and industry associations in Norway. Today, 27% of Oslo's hotel rooms are ECO Lighthouse certified. The major downtown convention centre, Oslo Convention Centre, and the PCO Congress-Conference are other examples of certified enterprises.
ISO 14001
This is an international standard for environmental management.Six Norwegian companies are accredited by Standard Norway to certify enterprises according to ISO 14001. This scheme provides the enterprise with a high quality environmental managing system for organizational performance on the environment. It is this management system that is certified. More information on ISO 14001.
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This means that more than half of Oslo's hotels are eco sertified.
Transportation
Oslo is indeed a walking city, but the public transport system is well developed: buses, trams, local trains, underground and ferries are all a part of the network. There is a common fare system for all local transport within the city borders, including transport directly into the extensive forests 20 minutes away – for hiking, biking or just relaxing in an unspoilt environment.
The buses are, to an increasing extent, run on bio fuel.
The Oslo Airport is located 50 km from the city centre. It is linked to the city centre with a high-speed train Flytoget, which leaves the airport every 10 minutes. The train ride to Oslo is 19 minutes.
Our largest congress centre (Norway Convention Centre) is located mid-way between the city centre and the airport, and every 2nd airport express train stops at the centre.