Despite being a densely populated industrial megacity, Moscow places a strong emphasis on maintaining green spaces and modernizing its environmental infrastructure.
* **Air Quality:** Generally moderate. Heavy traffic causes localized pollution, and the city can occasionally suffer from smog during hot summers, historically exacerbated by peat bog fires in the surrounding region. * **Green Spaces:** Moscow is remarkably green, with over 40% of its territory covered by parks, forests, and gardens. * **Protected Areas:** **Losiny Ostrov (Elk Island) National Park** is one of the world's largest protected forests located partially within city limits, home to wild elk, boars, and diverse bird species. * **Sustainability & Transport:** Moscow operates the largest fleet of electric buses in Europe. The city has aggressively expanded its pedestrian zones and cycling infrastructure in recent years. * **Water Quality:** Tap water is centrally treated and meets sanitary standards, though many residents prefer to use at-home filters or boil water due to aging pipes in older buildings.
