Visiting destinations that prioritize sustainability is a matter of growing importance for travelers around the world. But what’s the best way to vet a city’s eco credentials before you book a trip?
Global Destination Sustainability Movement ranks the top eco-friendly cities in the world each year, with the goal of highlighting cities that are becoming more regenerative and resilient places for travelers to visit.
Destinations are evaluated in four key areas: environmental performance, which includes a city’s policies for things like public transportation, carbon emissions, and renewable energy sources; social performance, covering factors like personal safety and health and wellness; destination management; and the sustainability of suppliers throughout the travel industry, like the city’s airports, hotels, and restaurants.
Each destination’s “efforts, involving climate action plans, education, community engagement, diversity initiatives, and measurement create a ripple effect, inspiring further positive actions in their local communities and around the world,” GDSM’s report says.
In 2023, the group expanded its list to include 100 cities across the globe. Among the top 20 destinations, Denmark is the country that secured the most on the list, with five of its cities ranking in the top 20. Sweden came next with three cities.
Here are the top 20 destinations emphasizing regenerative travel and sustainable living right now.
