As the Earth continues to warm with every passing year, more and more of us are trying to do our bit and make environmentally-friendly choices. For some, that could mean opting for a paper straw, for others, it might mean going on holiday to an eco-conscious destination.
If you’re trying to be a more sustainable traveller, the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index could be of assistance. Each year, the team at GDS analyse data from dozens of cities across the world in order to determine which tourism boards are doing the most across four key areas: destination management, or ‘[enhancing] the visitor experience while balancing the needs of the environment’; how committed the local tourist industry is to working with sustainable suppliers; how much social progress is being made to improve life for locals; and environmental ‘policies and infrastructure’.
Once the numbers are crunched, GDS produces a report naming the 40 cities that meet – and exceed – that criteria. Of the 40 global ‘sustainability leaders’, one city has come out on top for the second year running.
Helsinki is now the two-time title-holder of ‘world’s most sustainable city’. Fifty-four percent of the Finnish capital’s energy is renewable, and literally all of its venues are ‘sustainability certified’. It is also hoping to reduce its carbon footprint by 80 percent in the next five years, and it achieved a high ‘inclusion’ score on the social progress index, meaning it’s accessible to most tourists.
According to the GDS Index, ‘Helsinki’s goal is to be an international pioneer and provider of solutions in sustainable tourism and events’. Given that this is its second year topping the index, it seems to have already achieved that aim.
Gothenburg, in second place, and Copenhagen, in third, also maintained their positions from 2024. Gothenburg was the leader from 2016 until last year, when it was overtaken by Helsinki. The Swedish town scored similarly to its Finnish cousin; 100 percent of venues are ‘sustainability certified’, and 60 percent of energy comes from renewable sources, but it was narrowly beaten in social progress.
Copenhagen actually had the highest score in the ‘environmental’ index of the top three, with 69 percent of its energy being renewable and a commitment to completely eliminate carbon use by 2030. For Copenhagen, it was the supplier side that let the city down.
Top 10 most sustainable destinations for 2025
Here’s the world’s leading sustainability destinations, as determined by the 2025 Global Destination Sustainability Index.
- Helsinki, Finland
- Gothenburg, Sweden
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Aalborg, Denmark
- Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Tampere, Finland
- Aarhus, Denmark
- Lyon, France
- Belfast, United Kingdom
- Reykjavik, Iceland
You can have a look at the full index, including how your city did, on GDS’ website now.
This is why Amsterdam locals are suing the city over uncontrolled mass tourism.
Plus: 2026 will be the best year in a decade to book a Northern Lights holiday – here’s where to do so.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world.
