This is officially the greenest country in Europe

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.

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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.

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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.