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These sustainable cities are striving to protect their local communities, economies, and the Earth

If you’re committed to living and traveling sustainably, you probably want to make sure that when you travel, the destinations you visit are operated in alignment with the same values. But it’s hard to figure out which countries and cities are doing the right thing and which are greenwashing, especially now that “sustainability” has become a valuable advertising catchword. 

For those of us who want the real sustainable deal in travel, the Global Destination Sustainability-Movement, (GDS) recently released its 2024 index of the World’s 40 Most Sustainable Cities. GDS-Movement is an international change organization whose “mission is to help tourism and events professionals develop the skills, mindsets, and tools to create more resilient and regenerative destinations.” To do this they rank destinations across a variety of metrics using “a balanced, living-systems approach to developing and managing a flourishing and equitable visitor economy.” Beyond sustainability, GDS–Movement “aims to restore and rejuvenate communities, their people, and place, rather than degrade or merely sustain conditions.” In other words, their ultimate goal is to make travel more than sustainable–to make it regenerative–and to create value in the communities visited. 

To rank the destinations, GDS–Movement measured cities across four broad performance areas (environmental, social, supplier, and destination management organization) encompassing 77 separate indicators of sustainability/circularity. Categories include whether and how much of the city’s electricity is renewable, the percent of waste recycled, the amount of green space per 100,000 people, the availability of public transportation, the percentage of lodgings that have sustainability certification, and its commitment on inclusivity.

For those who take sustainability seriously and wonder while wandering the world whether your activity as a traveler is negating all you do day-to-day to protect the Earth, this list is invaluable. Before you make your next booking, hunker down and choose your destination based on how far along the path to sustainability it is. Then relax and enjoy, knowing your trip is not stripping the Earth of valuable natural, economic, or social resources. Take a look at a sampling of our offerings in those destinations, linked in the text, then contact us for more information.

It's not surprising that the top five spots on the list go to Nordic countries: Helsinki is number 1, Gothenburg, Sweden is number 2, and Copenhagen is number 3. The Nordic drift continues as we go down the rankings: If we consider the Faroe Islands and Iceland as well as the three Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Denmark, and Norway) and Finland, we can see that these Northern European countries dominate: 14 out of the top 20 sustainable destinations are from this area. So clearly, if you want sustainability in travel, a good rule of thumb right now is to head north.

Helsinki's longstanding commitment to sustainability landed it atop the 2024 index of the world's most sustainable cities.

Helsinki has been known for its acute eco-consciousness for decades. It’s a place where a love of unspoiled natural beauty and respect for nature and the environment are practically requirements for citizenship. Finland has long been a global leader in the fight against climate change and the transition to a circular economy. 

According to GDS-Movement, Helsinki has a robust and unified strategy to achieve sustainability in its tourism sector. The city gets 51% of its electricity from renewables, 49% of its waste is recycled, and it offers 23,000 acres of green space per 100,000 population. The Finnish sense of identity is bound up with the love and respect for nature and they take enormous pride in caring for it. They equally proud of the city's cultural riches and its reputation as one of Europe's hippest capitals. Oh, and of course, there’s sauna life, an integral part of Finnish culture and identity. 

Another Finnish city, Tampere, is ranked number 23. This under-the-radar town of 250,000, known as the sauna capital of the world, is at the forefront of the fight against climate change. It has committed to an ambitious goal of making the Tampere region a carbon-neutral tourism destination by 2030. Like Helsinki, the city prides itself on the seamless combination of sophisticated culture and abundant natural resources. Located in Finnish Lakeland, Tampere sits between two gorgeous crystalline lakes, Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi.

Water, water everywhere: 24% of the area of Tampere, Finland, is water. Photo by Martin L. Sakujsz on Unsplash.

One-fifth of Tampere’s land area is green space, which includes forests and parks. These easily accessible green areas are an integral part of the cityscape and a core part of life here. Twenty-four percent of Tampere's area is water. According to GDS-Movement, the city gets 68% of its electricity from renewables, recycles 40% of its waste, and boasts 61,285 acres of green space per 100,000 population. That is a lot of green space to enjoy!

Reykjavik, another city with a long history of eco-consciousness, is ranked number 17 on the GDS-Movement Index. Thanks to its abundant geothermal and hydrothermal resources, the city gets 100% of its electricity from renewables. It currently recycles 65% of its waste and offers 4267 acres of green space per 100,000 population. The city is building out its cycling path system with resting places and maps and promotes year-round cycling. 

Iceland's volcanic activity has created a landscape of stark contrasts. Photo by FD on Unsplash.

The Reykjavík area coastline is characterized by peninsulas, coves, straits, and islands that are brilliant opportunities for exploration. The numerous geysers and hot springs, including 18 public swimming pools, black sand beaches, and amazing waterfalls reveal the country’s extraordinary volcanic geology. Hike in the lava fields of an extinct volcano for a truly wondrous adventure. All of these add up to a landscape of otherworldly beauty, a “land of fire and ice” as it’s known, that offers endless interesting opportunities for exploration. If you still have energy after those rugged days, the city’s excellent nightclubs, wine bars, pubs, and restaurants await. 

Sustainability Southern Style

Moving to the Southern Hemisphere, it’s no surprise to find Sydney rounding out the top 10.  This Australian city has a robust and integrated plan, Sustainable Sydney 2030-2050, for achieving its sustainability goals. Sydney aims to source 50% of its electricity from renewables by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2035. The City of Sydney was Australia’s first carbon-neutral local government.  Right now, the city gets 33% of its energy from renewables, recycles 51% of its waste, and has 3751 acres of green space per 100,000 population. One hundred percent of Sydney’s hotel room inventory is accessible by public transport.

Sydney: go for the sustainability, stay for the fun. Photo by Madeleine Crane on Unsplash.

That public transport comes in handy when traveling to some of the city’s legendarily glorious beaches. Or hop on a ferry to enjoy one of the world’s great natural harbors, where you’ll also see the iconic Sydney Opera House. Spend some time in Sydney and you'll be awed by its natural beauty, from hidden beaches to pristine bushland and charming islands that are made for exploring. 

Seeking more sustainability in Australia? Check out Melbourne, number 24 in the GDS index, and Brisbane, number 33.

Ready for a dreamy sustainable trip? We will help you plan. Contact us to get started.

Now's the Time...for Croatia

Walls of Dubrovnik, Croatia. Photo by Sorin Cicos on Unsplash.

Thinking of visiting Croatia next summer? It’s a great idea. The country abounds in beauty, both natural and human-made. Beautiful coastlines, breathtaking architecture, and great food await you there. But many people feel the pull and you should book now to secure your place. Click here to start making your plans.