When we decide where we want to travel for our next holiday, as well as weighing up how beautiful, affordable or delicious a destination might be, we should also be considering the country’s eco-efforts. By now, we’re all aware of the detrimental effect travelling can have on the environment, so being selective about our holiday destination of choice can significantly help reduce our carbon footprint when exploring the world.
But deciding on what exactly determines whether a country is “green” or not is no mean feat. A new study by Hemsol, a Swedish-based renewable energy company, has taken a look at sustainability data from countries across Europe to establish which destination is officially the continent’s most green. The study looked at statistics on everything from renewable energy shares and municipal waste recycling rate to public transport, woodland, farmland and carbon dioxide emissions. Below, find the list of the top 10 environmentally friendly countries in Europe. We hope this inspires and informs your holiday-making decisions in 2024.
10. Slovenia
Think storybook mountains, Baroque churches and rolling countryside, Slovenia is like a postcard-perfect picture of what a sustainable travel destination looks like. Much of its landscape is protected by eco-policies, including its ancient forests and snow-capped peaks, plus its nourishing capital is a sustainable gem – more than 75 per cent of Ljubljana is lush parks and green areas.
9. Switzerland
Travelling around Switzerland, you might be surprised at just how much of the country is dedicated to environmentally friendly practices. The country’s cities are thriving from a sustainability perspective; Zurich has strict energy-use and waste-reduction policies, excellent public transport and sustainable building principles. Similarly, Bern is exceedingly energy-efficient, with endless green spaces, zero-waste shops, locally sourced food in restaurants and a protected medieval centre with cobbled streets and fresh water fountains dotted around.
8. Luxembourg
This small country packs a punch when it comes to sustainability. It was the first nation to remove public transport fares in 2020, and is on track to have 25 per cent of its energy consumption sourced from renewable energy by 2030.
7. Germany
This lovely land is known for its mystical hinterlands and lush forests. Germany is home to lots of eco-friendly hotels, and the country’s transport network relies heavily on long-distance trains – all of which run on 100 per cent eco-electricity.
6. Estonia
Eco-friendly hotels, farm-to-table restaurants, free public transport for residents and plenty of green initiatives, it’s little wonder why Estonia made this list. It’s very walkable and has some excellent nature waiting to be explored, from its treasured bogs (where you swim in inky waters before hiking through the countryside) to woodlands cloaked in mythology.
5. Sweden
With the second-best rating for renewables on the list, Sweden is a solid number five. The country is hoping to remove its net greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 (if not earlier, and also has a high rating for its woodland areas. Stockholm, its capital, has one of the highest numbers of eco hotels worldwide, lots of eco-friendly shops and excellent recycling policies.
4. Iceland
It comes as no surprise to anyone that Iceland ranks highly on this list. Nearly 100 per cent of this country is powered by renewable energy. It has one of the lowest carbon dioxide commissions in the world and is rated the highest for renewable energy in Europe. With hopes of hitting carbon neutrality by 2040, we’re expecting this country to keep rising up the ranks of this list in the coming years.
3. Finland
In third place, Finland is embracing green living as best it can. Around 80 per cent of this country is forested, and its air and water are said to be the best quality in the world. Finland signed a new climate act in 2022 that states targets to reduce carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2030, 80 per cent by 2040 and 90 per cent by 2050.
2. Austria
Vienna has regularly been named one of the world’s most sustainable cities, and it’s not hard to see why. The capital has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2040; nearly half of the city is taken up by parks, gardens or allotments, and Vienna uses less energy than the rest of the country’s regions by far. Austria’s citizens use public transport more so than most other countries, plus the country scored second highest for its recycling rate.
1. Norway
Norway takes the crown as the greenest country in Europe. The country has the second-highest renewable energy score on the list, has lots of farmland area and is part of the Paris Agreement dedicated to reaching net-zero carbon emissions between 2045-2055. The government has also pledged up to three billion Norwegian Krone per year to help save tropical forests around the world. Norway’s capital, Oslo, is also a notably eco-friendly city, with lots of green policies to protect its nature, electricity-powered public transport and a burgeoning restaurant scene focussed on sustainable produce.