For ecotourism in Ireland, head to this Irish city that has been named among the top ten most sustainable destinations in Europe.
Sustainability’s importance has never been more important as our critically endangered planet edges ever closer to the point of no return.
Though travel and sustainability can seem like conflicting notions, ways exist for environmentally conscious travellers to travel sustainably.
One such way is by visiting any of the 20 destinations outlined by DiscoverCars, including one Irish city that made the top ten.
Determining the most sustainable destinations in Europe – increasingly important for travellers
Recent travel trends have seen many conscientious travellers make decisions that prioritise sustainable travel. These include travelling in the off-season to combat overtourism and choosing eco-friendly accommodation and transport options.
DiscoverCars recognises the importance of sustainable travel for the survival of our planet and, indeed, for the future viability of travel. They decided to help people plan eco-friendly trips by compiling a list of the most sustainable destinations in Europe.
They began by highlighting the three biggest cities in each European country and collected data regarding the climate impact of travelling there from London Heathrow.
The study then took into consideration the city’s pollution level, along with the percentage of hotels with electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities and the number of vegan restaurants and nature spots.
Limerick – among the most sustainable destinations in Europe
Though Belfast is among the three biggest cities in Ireland, DiscoverCars omitted the capital of the north for obvious (though complicated) reasons. Therefore, its study focused on Dublin, Cork, and Limerick.
The Treaty City not only bested its Irish neighbours but also broke into the top ten on the DiscoverCars list.
DiscoverCars found that a round-trip from Heathrow to Shannon Airport produced 373 kg of carbon dioxide and that the city’s pollution level was low. Though only three hotels offer EV charging points, the city boasts 67 vegan restaurants and 15 nature spots.
The report highlighted Limerick’s ongoing rewilding project, the fresh, local produce available at the weekly Limerick Milk Market, and the city’s ample walking and cycling routes.
More sustainable destinations – the rest of the list
Limerick took tenth spot on the DiscoverCars list of 20. However, the study found Zurich, Paris, Barcelona, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Ghent, Copenhagen, and Turin more sustainable than the Munster city.
Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, topped the list. Seven of Edinburgh’s hotels have EV charging facilities, and the city offers 42 nature spots. Meanwhile, a whopping 645 of its restaurants are vegan – 37% of its total eateries.
The remaining ten destinations include Salzburg, Vaduz, Budapest, Luxembourg City, Gothenburg, Helsinki, Parnu, Monte Carlo, Porto, and Oslo.
