What makes a city green?

Many of us fly to reach holiday destinations, so eco-standards should always be seen in the context of our individual responsibility to keep our carbon footprints as low as possible. Everything we do, from reducing towel use to using public transport and local cycle hire schemes, to finding eco-friendly hotels and seeking out restaurants that serve organic, locally sourced food, makes a difference. Environment

The availability of large, open public spaces can be as much a product of history as current policy, but the greenest cities are putting money into protecting their parks and natural resources.

Transport

Electrification and pedestrianisation make a huge difference to the experience of a city, reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Efficient public transport, electric cars and buses should all be well funded.

Energy production

It’s often not obvious when you visit a city how sustainable its methods of energy production actually are. But an asthma attack is often a clue. Clean air standards are worth checking out online before you travel. Hotels and restaurants

Many of the world’s leading hotels are now built and run according to exacting standards of sustainability. Locally owned restaurants are often significantly more eco-friendly. If they aren’t boasting about it, they’re probably not doing it.

– Responsible Travel (responsibletravel.com)