Melbourne has been named the most sustainable destination in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region in the 2025 Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index, also ranking first globally among Metropolis and Mega Cities.
The GDS Index benchmarks destinations on environmental performance, social sustainability, destination management, and supplier engagement. Melbourne climbed from 24th to 11th worldwide, achieving its best-ever score of 83 per cent, up from 76.6 per cent in 2024 — “the most significant improvement in the past seven years.”
Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) Chief Executive Julia Swanson said the result reflects the city’s unified approach: “Melbourne’s top ranking is a testament to the power of collaboration across our city. We’ve worked together to embed sustainability into the fabric of our business events sector.”
City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece added: “From green buildings to inclusive community programs, we are embedding climate action into everything we do. This recognition reflects the strength of our partnerships and the passion of our people.”
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) Chief Executive Natalie O’Brien noted the city’s leadership: “At MCEC, we’re proud to contribute through world-leading environmental design and responsible event delivery.”
MCEC remains the first convention centre globally to achieve a 6-Star Green Star rating and Platinum Earth Check certification, reinforcing Melbourne’s position as a global benchmark for sustainable business events.