In its latest edition, Lonely Planet’s new Sustainable Travel Handbook has included Wellington, New Zealand’s capital among the top 10 eco-cities in the world. The city is a leader in zero net carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 and in the ongoing restoration of the natural environment, with the world’s first fully fenced urban sanctuary, Zealandia.
The first fully electric high performance passenger ferry in the southern hemisphere and the sustainable electric e-motorbike, Streetdog, along with its video-game-like climate change tool have also granted the city the Bloomberg Mayor’s Challenge.
The eco-friendly city also boasts sustainable venues, four of which are awarded the EarthCheck’s Bronze Benchmark accreditation. What’s more, Tākina conference centre, opening mid-2023, will be awarded a 5-Star Green Star certification for its 60 percent reduction in energy use and a 66 percent reduction in operational carbon emissions.