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Sweden, Norway and Denmark are among the world’s most sustainable travel destinations, the Global Destinations Sustainability Index (GDS) has found.
To help you travel sustainably, the GDS index is a performance improvement programme to make tourism and events more eco-friendly. Each year, the judges analyse 70 indicators to give each area a sustainability score, including air quality, emissions, renewable energies, resource and water management, and climate change commitment.
Gothenburg, Sweden’s second biggest city, scooped first place with 93%. Home to world-class restaurants, diverse cultural scenes, sustainable living and beautiful nature, this city was recognised for wanting to make an impact. It has a vision of being fossil independent by 2030 and plans of wanting to run 97% of public transport on renewable energy.
Norway’s Bergen took the second spot, followed by Copenhagen and Aalborg — both in Denmark. While Scandinavian countries were clear winners, the UK did make the top 10, with both Glasgow and Belfast being recognised for their green efforts.
Bergen, Norway
Ryhor Bruyeu (Grigory Bruev)Getty Images
“GDS-Movement salutes its members’ continuous commitment to measuring and managing the sustainability contributions of their tourism and events,” says Guy Bigwood, Chief Changemaker and CEO, GDS-Movement.
“Every step in the journey towards a destination’s social, environmental, and economic well-being counts dramatically and all GDS-Index participants are stewards of positive change. Given the reach of Business Events, it’s critical that this sector, specifically, further leverages the opportunity to act now, raise the bar, and invest in a thriving destination on a journey towards greater regenerative destination management, today and going forward. Working together, we all win.”
Take a look at the full list below…
Top 10 sustainable travel destinations in the world
- Gothenburg, Sweden (93%)
- Bergen, Norway (88%)
- Copenhagen, Denmark (87%)
- Aalborg, Denmark (86%)
- Bordeaux, France (85%)
- Glasgow, UK (84%)
- Stockholm, Sweden (84%)
- Belfast, UK (84%)
- Aarhus, Denmark (84%)
- Oslo, Norway (83%)
Travel rucksacks: The best waterproof, lightweight and wheeled backpacks
Carrion 80L Rucksack
£139.99
£55.99 (60% off)
An 80-litre lightweight rucksack that’s comfortable to carry, you’ll find a huge range of features in this rucksack and multiple pockets. We love the rain cover which folds out to cover the rucksack and protects the contents from getting wet – great if you’re heading somewhere rainy!
Quechua Forclaz 50-Litre Trekking Backpack
Ideal for beginner trekkers because of its design which puts comfort first, this 50-litre travel backpack comes with durable foam straps, an adjustable back and even hand rests. It’s one of the most affordable rucksacks available, too.
Vango Sherpa 65-Litre Rucksack
With its self-adjusting back system, great value and useful features, including multiple entry points for effective organisation, this is great for adventurers who don’t want to spend too much. It also comes with reflective strips and a detachable rain cover.
Lowe Alpine Atlas 65:75 Hiking Backpack
Offering good value and a distinctive colour, this comfortable rucksack is durable and made for multi-day treks and travel around the world. The high-capacity pack has side pockets for extra storage and adjustable back-length with an easy-to-use hook and loop backsystem.
Voyager Wheelie 50 + 20 Litre Rucksack – Black
£149.99
£79.99 (47% off)
Strong, versatile and secure, this black rucksack with wheels combines two bags in one design. There’s ample space for your luggage, with the large bag used as a rucksack while the detachable daypack is perfect for your days out.
Women’s Aura AG 65 Rucksack
Designed specifically for women, this stylish travel rucksack offers excellent ventilation without sacrificing performance and is great for hot and cold climates. Its harness with a load lifter bar offers strong load support and there are two zipped pockets on the front for easy access to your kit.
Inca Extreme 80L Rucksack
£169.99
£89.99 (47% off)
If you’re looking for plenty of space, this 80-litre travel bag also comes with plenty of pockets, while offering comfort and style. We like the open mesh back that creates a large air space between you and the back of the rucksack for maximum ventilation.
Trek 66 Litre Rucksack
£99.99
£44.99 (55% off)
Available in seven colours including electric blue, this bright rucksack has essential features, from padded shoulder straps to an added rain cover. It has a large main compartment and five pockets in total for loads of space.
Terra 55-Litre Hiking Backpack
Ideal for hikers, this rucksack allows you to move faster with its light, slim and durable design. The 55-litre bag also features The North Face’s most comfortable back panel to date – it’s made from soft foam and breathable mesh.
Women’s Trailhead Outdoor Rucksack
Packed full of Berghaus technology and features, this holiday rucksack also offers fantastic value. It’s simple, comfortable to wear and ideal for multi-day adventures.
Trailblazer 30 Rucksack
Lightweight, stable and giving quick access to your kit, this rucksack was made for mountain walking trips. The harness can also be customised to ensure a body hugging fit without restricting your movement.
Rook 65 Rucksack
£130.00
£110.00 (15% off)
A highly innovative rucksack designed for comfort and a premium fit, it features a highly-adjustable ventilated backsystem, a large padded hip belt which helps when carrying heavier loads and an internal divider with a separated lower compartment you can unfasten easily when not in use.
Zerum 58+ LW Rucksack
£175.00
£58.00 (67% off)
Extremely lightweight and a good buy for trips where every gram counts, this is Vaude’s lightest large backpack, weighing just 1.39kg. It’s versatile, very strong and is an ideal bag for campers carrying tents and sleeping bags.
BMG 105 OutDry Rucksack
£2,120.00
For an investment travel backpack, this bag was designed for professional use so it’s built for carrying lighter loads as much as serious kit. It features a waterproof lining and comes with deep pockets for carrying everything, from climbing gear to ice axes.
Tor 65L Rucksack
£79.99
£32.99 (59% off)
Packed with great features, this top rucksack for travelling has a split main compartment so you can separate your gear. It’s also perfect for women as it accommodates a smaller frame.
Forclaz Travel 500 Men’s Trekking 50 Litre Lockable Backpack
Designed in collaboration with trekkers who expressed specific travel needs, this rucksack was created with a focus on safety. It has a wide, lockable zip which prevents pickpocketing and the hood doubles up as a saddlebag so you can take your most precious belongings wherever you go – genius!
