Sustainable travel is more than a buzzword. It’s a growing priority for globetrotters. According to the 2024 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) released by Yale and Columbia Universities, the world’s greenest countries are largely in Europe.
Estonia leads the pack at #1 with an EPI score of 75.7, followed by Luxembourg, Germany, Finland, and the United Kingdom rounding out the top five. Completing the top ten are Sweden, Norway, Austria, Switzerland, and Denmark, all nations known for strong environmental policies and clean, green landscapes.
This matters for travelers because interest in sustainable tourism is surging; about 75% of global travelers say they want to travel more sustainably in the next year.
If you’re an eco-conscious traveler planning your 2025 adventures, consider these ten countries that excel in environmental performance and offer rich, responsible travel experiences.
1. Estonia (Rank 1 – EPI Score 75.7)
Estonia has emerged as the world’s top environmental performer in 2024, a historic first for an Eastern European country. The nation achieved a 59% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 1990 by transitioning away from dirty oil shale power and investing in cleaner energy.
It also boasts excellent air quality and robust biodiversity protection – about 23% of Estonia’s land and 18% of its marine waters are protected areas. For travelers, this means you can explore Estonia’s vast forests, bogs, and Baltic coastline with minimal ecological impact.
From national parks teeming with wildlife to the medieval, car-free streets of its capital Tallinn, Estonia offers a green getaway where sustainability is a way of life.
2. Luxembourg (Rank 2 – EPI Score 75.1)
Tiny yet mighty, Luxembourg ranks second worldwide for environmental health and ecosystem vitality. Don’t be fooled by its small size – Luxembourg excels in water quality and sanitation, and its compact footprint enables efficient green policies like advanced wastewater treatment and recycling.
Impressively, over 55% of Luxembourg’s land is under biodiversity protection, one of the highest proportions in Europe. Lush Ardennes forests and nature parks cover much of the country, providing clean air and serene hiking opportunities.
Eco-conscious travelers will appreciate Luxembourg’s extensive network of cycling trails and electric public transport, as well as its quaint villages powered increasingly by renewable energy. In short, Luxembourg proves that a country doesn’t have to be big to be a sustainability giant – making it a perfect destination for responsible travel.
3. Germany (Rank 3 – EPI Score 74.5)
Germany has long been a leader in green initiatives, and its #3 EPI ranking reflects that. The country has rapidly deployed renewable energy, now getting over 40% of its electricity from wind, solar and biomass sources.
This energy transition, combined with comprehensive waste management and recycling programs, boosts Germany’s performance in climate and pollution indicators.
Germany also scores high in air quality and habitat protection – approximately 37% of German territory is protected land including numerous parks, reserves, and UNESCO Biosphere areas.
For travelers, Germany’s environmental ethos is evident in its efficient public transport (like ubiquitous electric trains) and well-maintained hiking and cycling routes (e.g. the Black Forest trails). Whether you’re touring solar-powered cities or exploring the Bavarian Alps, you’ll find Germany’s commitment to sustainability makes for a cleaner, healthier travel experience.
4. Finland (Rank 4 – EPI Score 73.8)
Finland is a dream destination for nature lovers and it earns its green credentials with perfect scores in drinking water, sanitation, and toxic heavy metal control. Nearly 73% of Finland’s land area is forested – much of it managed sustainably – which helps this Nordic country excel in ecosystem vitality.
Finland has aggressively cut emissions (one of only a handful of nations on track for net-zero by 2050) while drawing power from a balanced mix of hydropower, wind, biofuels, and nuclear energy.
For eco-conscious travelers, Finland offers pristine wilderness at every turn: thousands of clear lakes, vast boreal forests, and well-protected national parks like Nuuksio and Lapland’s Urho Kekkonen.
Visitors can enjoy midnight sun hikes or Northern Lights gazing knowing that Finland’s environmental stewardship keeps these natural wonders unspoiled. Plus, the country’s cities (like Helsinki) are renowned for clean air, green design, and easy access to nature.
5. United Kingdom (Rank 5 – EPI Score 72.6)
The United Kingdom ranks fifth globally, reflecting decades of environmental policy efforts. The UK stands out in marine conservation – over 30% of its coastal waters are fully protected, helping marine life recover in areas like the North Sea. It also has strong performance in air quality and waste management, supported by robust recycling systems nationwide.
For travelers, the UK’s green ranking means you can find clean beaches and well-managed national parks from England to Scotland. The country’s commitment to reducing emissions (it’s among the few cutting GHG at a pace aligned with climate goals ) also means an expanding network of electric buses and EV chargers, making low-carbon travel easier.
Whether exploring London’s parks, hiking Wales’ coastline, or touring Scotland’s highlands, visitors will benefit from the UK’s efforts to safeguard natural areas and promote sustainable tourism.
6. Sweden (Rank 6 – EPI Score 70.3)
Sweden ties into the top tier of green countries with world-class forestry and clean energy. About 69% of Sweden’s land is covered by forests, and the country is a model of sustainable forest management – logging is balanced with regrowth and conservation. Sweden also scores high in fisheries sustainability and air quality, reflecting its protection of marine stocks and strict pollution controls.
A large share of Sweden’s energy comes from renewables like hydropower and wind, reducing fossil fuel reliance. All this bodes well for eco-conscious visitors. In Sweden, you can breathe easy while exploring its countless lakes and archipelagos, or enjoy the Right of Public Access (Allemansrätten) which allows respectful roaming in nature.
From Stockholm’s green urban design (think bike lanes and electric ferries) to the Arctic beauty of Swedish Lapland, this country offers an authentic eco-friendly travel experience rooted in a deep environmental ethos.
7. Norway (Rank 7 – EPI Score 69.9)
Norway, famed for its majestic fjords and northern lights, also shines in sustainability. It leads in areas like heavy metals control and wastewater treatment, ensuring its rivers and soils remain clean.
Norway has designated extensive protected areas – 17% of its land and 8% of its seas are under protection – to conserve its rich biodiversity from Arctic tundra to marine fjords. Notably, Norway has the world’s highest electric vehicle (EV) adoption rate (nearly 90% of new cars are electric), reflecting policies that make low-carbon travel easy and ubiquitous.
For travelers, this means you can tour Norway with minimal emissions – even ferries and cruise ships in the fjords are increasingly electric or hybrid.
Visitors will find the air exceptionally clean and the scenery unspoiled, whether cruising through UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord or hiking in Jotunheimen National Park. Norway’s blend of stunning natural beauty and green innovation makes it a top choice for the eco-conscious adventurer.
8. Austria (Rank 8 – EPI Score 68.9)
Austria earns its green reputation through impressive biodiversity and habitat protection and a proactive approach to pollution control. Lush alpine landscapes dominate Austria, and the country safeguards these environments diligently – from national parks in the Tyrolean Alps to the Danube wetlands.
Austria also excels in air quality improvement (tackling urban smog) and has renewable energy exceeding 70% of its electricity mix, thanks to hydropower and wind in its mountains and valleys. Waste management here is top-tier; recycling is a way of life for Austrians.
Eco-minded travelers will delight in Austria’s efficient public transport (such as electric trains through the Alps) and the prevalence of organic farms and local food markets.
Whether you’re cycling the scenic Danube Bike Trail or skiing in a carbon-neutral Alpine resort, you’ll notice Austria’s commitment to sustainability helps preserve its postcard-perfect scenery for generations to come.
9. Switzerland (Rank 9 – EPI Score 67.8)
It’s no surprise that Switzerland, nestled in the Alps, ranks among the greenest nations. The Swiss combine high-tech environmental management with a love for nature. The country has outstanding waste management and drinking water quality, ensuring that its lakes and cities remain crystal clean.
Roughly 14% of Switzerland’s land is protected for biodiversity, focusing on delicate alpine ecosystems home to ibex, lynx, and rare orchids. The Swiss energy supply is a low-carbon mix of hydropower, nuclear, and solar, contributing to very low air pollution – in fact, Switzerland is famous for its excellent air quality and clear skies.
For travelers, Switzerland offers an eco-tourism paradise: immaculate hiking trails, car-free mountain villages (like Zermatt), and one of the world’s most efficient public transport systems powered largely by clean energy. Whether taking in panoramic views from a solar-powered train or tasting Alpine cheese at a farm committed to sustainability, visitors can enjoy Switzerland’s beauty with minimal environmental impact.
10. Denmark (Rank 10 – EPI Score 67.7)
Denmark rounds out the top ten thanks to its leadership in renewable energy and livability. The Danes have harnessed wind power aggressively – wind turbines generate over 50% of Denmark’s electricity on average , one of the highest shares in the world.
This contributes to Denmark’s near-perfect scores in air quality and sanitation; Danish cities like Copenhagen consistently rank among the world’s cleanest and most bicycle-friendly.
Denmark also works to protect nature: around 15% of its land and 8% of marine areas (e.g. the Wadden Sea) are safeguarded for biodiversity. Travelers in Denmark can partake in its green lifestyle effortlessly – try exploring Copenhagen by bike (there are more bikes than cars in the capital!) or visiting Samsø Island, which is 100% powered by renewable energy.
From farm-to-table Nordic cuisine to eco-certified hotels, Denmark offers a truly sustainable travel experience, all while demonstrating how a modern society can thrive in harmony with the environment.
As the EPI rankings show, environmental stewardship is a global effort led by a handful of trailblazing countries. For travelers, these rankings aren’t just numbers – they point to destinations where you can breathe clean air, drink safe water, and witness thriving nature.
With a growing majority of travelers seeking eco-conscious travel destinations , the above nations provide sustainable tourism at its finest.
Choosing any of these greenest countries for your next trip means you’ll not only enjoy incredible culture and scenery, but also support and learn from the world’s best practices in sustainability – truly a win-win for you and the planet.