Bristol has been ranked as the UK’s most eco-friendly tourist destination
Bristol has been ranked as the UK’s most eco-friendly tourist destination(Image: Getty Images)
Bristol has been famed for its ambition to becoming one of the world’s greenest cities, having already been the first UK city to be designated the European Green Capital and the UK’s first ‘cycling city’.
But, it seems the time and resources dedicated to improving the city’s green initiatives has paid off with it being ranked as one of the world’s most eco-friendly cities.
Travel comparison company, Enjoy Travel has compiled a list of the 25 best ‘ecotourism’ destinations around the globe, scoring each destination on its environmental footprint, natural beauty, traditions and wildlife for future generations.
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Bristol has long championed eco-friendly projects, with its new-look Green Party council continuing the tradition with recent announcements such as calling on residents to help to stop using fossil fuels in its buildings in an effort to tackle climate change.
It finds itself ranked at number 17 on Enjoy Travel’s list, the highest-ranked UK city, beating Belfast and fellow European cities such as Italy’s Trento and Elche, in Spain.
“Bristol is England’s leading eco-friendly city, with the local council and residents working together on climate action plans,” Enjoy Travel explained.
“The city pledges to be carbon neutral by 2030 through sustainable urban planning, zero-emission public transport, and increased recycling processes. For visitors, the green spaces, zero-waste shops, and community initiatives make Bristol a great destination for eco-conscious travellers. But that, combined with its laid-back yet lively vibe, contemporary galleries, and historic harbour, is what truly makes Bristol an exciting city.”
The Icelandic capital, Reykjavík was the highest scoring European city due to its “remarkably unspoilt” landscapes and sustainable tourism efforts which include measures such as more group tours and fewer hire cars.
The nation of Bhutan scored top spot in Enjoy Travel’s list, due largely to it being the world’s first carbon-negative country with it being dubbed a “sustainability titan”.
Its description adds: “The tiny Buddhist kingdom is a leader in biodiversity and conservation – its protected forests cover around 70% of the land – and restricted tourism protects those gorgeous Himalayan views. They come at a price, though – Bhutan charges a Sustainable Development fee of $100 per day.
“While this might price out many travellers, it’s certainly effective in avoiding overtourism. And you know that the money supports development, too – the fee is put towards improving wages, infrastructure, working conditions, and environmental protection. As the pioneer of the ‘high value, low impact’ tourism model, Bhutan’s approach to sustainable tourism is exemplary.”