With each passing year, as climate change adversely affects global communities, travelers who appreciate the world in all its wonder are becoming more eco-conscious. There are many ways that frequent travelers can adopt more green practices. Avoiding short-haul plane travel, purchasing carbon offsets, being respectful of over-visited destinations, and practicing eco-friendly tasks are good for you and good for the Earth.
Here are six popular destinations around the world that are committed to sustainability.
Germany
According to Forbes, Germany has long been committed to sustainability, adopting a plan to develop diverse attractions to promote sustainable tourism back in 2017. In the years following, the country has won various awards for its sustainability programs and has helped other places around the world in advancing their sustainability initiatives. Germany draws many travelers each year to its beautiful and historical gothic cities both small and large, and capital city Berlin is a hub for creativity and culture.
Costa Rica
Not only is Costa Rica an incredible escape for those looking to immerse themselves in nature, it also offers an impressive list of sustainability achievements. The Central American nation offers tourists a slice of sunshine along its coasts and ecological wonder deep in its forests. The Costa Rican government has various policies in place that promote sustainability like banning single-use plastics and offering tax incentives for sustainability initiatives. The government has also implemented projects to desalinate local water supplies and harvest rainwater to combat droughts. Costa Rica is also a natural wonder with some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world.
Finland
Though you might not think of Finland when you think of sustainability, this country’s cities are dedicated to eco-friendly programming. Capital Helsinki has received a top rating on the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDSI), ranking at 92.43%. In smaller cities like Turku, where the city’s energy and emissions are closely observed, by 2029 they aim to be carbon-negative, according to Forbes.
Norway
Another Nordic country making hotlists for best sustainable destinations in Norway. Exploring the fjord region here is an incredible natural escape and can also be an eco-friendly activity. Tourists can board Havila Kystruten ships which run on hybrid energy in order to reduce carbon emissions. According to Lonely Planet, in Meløy close to the Arctic Circle, the world’s first energy-positive hotel is entirely off-grid and allows for some zen time to enjoy some of the world’s most beautiful and inspiring landscapes.
Portugal
Portugal is known for many progressive policies, and the Azores archipelago are a stunningly beautiful hotspot where sustainable travel is built into the tourism experience. Here eco-tours can help travelers explore the islands in green ways. Visit protected regions, see volcanic landscapes, and enjoy the country’s rich biodiversity across the islands and on the mainland. Portugal has sustained many initiatives for greener living in recent years. In 2019, renewable energy accounted for 54% of the country’s energy consumption. In the country’s cities, public trams and buses run on electricity and in the countryside sustainable farming practices are promoted.
Singapore
This country is famous in sustainability because of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, a plan that seeks to advance the country’s green practices by the turn of the decade, and set Singapore on a path to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Key targets of the plan include planting one million trees, quadrupling solar energy deployment, reducing waste sent to landfill by 30% by 2030, requiring at least 20% of schools to be carbon neutral by 2030, and mandating that all newly registered cars to be clean-energy models from 2030 on. Singapore has also become famous for its city buildings covered in plants to support cleaner and cooler air.
