AlterCOP’s Post

and Sydney Named Australia’s Top Sustainable City! 🌏 Sydney has achieved the top city ranking in Australia on the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) for 2024! 🌿 Ranked 10th globally out of 100+ cities, Sydney’s dedication to sustainable growth is reflected in its highest-ever score of 83.13%, a significant rise from last year’s 77.21%. Since 2016, Sydney has been making steady strides toward sustainability, now leading the nation and ranking second in the Asia-Pacific region behind Singapore. Through initiatives like the Sustainable Destination Partnership, the city is supporting the event and hospitality sectors to operate more sustainably, setting a global example of climate action. This achievement underscores Sydney’s commitment to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and demonstrates our collective effort to ensure Sydney’s bright, sustainable future. Congratulations, Sydney! Let’s keep driving forward, championing green growth and sustainable practices for a better tomorrow. 🌱💚#indiansinsydney #Sustainability #GDSIndex #Sydney #ClimateAction Clover Moore AO City of Sydney Chris Minns Steve Kamper Andrew Charlton Destination NSW Steve Cox Multicultural NSW Joseph La Posta Australian-Indian Sports Educational & Cultural Society (AISECS) India Australia Business and Community Alliance Sydney Opera House

A bit of a Friday reflection... After some amazing time in Europe, I'm off to Singapore this weekend. ✈️🌏 A number of the places I've been visiting or have coming up on my itinerary feature among the highest on the World Economic Forum's Sustainable Cities Index, and so this little snapshot has been very meaningful to think about. The common theme emerging here is that it doesn't matter about the size, complexity or location of a country - sustainability always hinges on intentional design and collaboration. Whether we're talking about Zurich, London, Seoul or Singapore, all of these cities can demonstrate major wins on a climate and carbon reduction front because of intentional, strategic partnerships from policymakers, private industry and local communities. How much does your city want sustainability? On a more local level, what about your suburb or your neighbourhood? Go out and chase it. 🏃🏼➡️🌱🏆

🏝 Imagining a Green Environment 🌴 I wake up in a sustainable community surrounded by lush greenery, with: 🌻 Vertical Gardens: Walls covered in vibrant plants and green walls, purifying the air and soothing the mind. 🌻 Green Roofs: Buildings topped with gardens, providing insulation and habitats for local wildlife. 🌻 Tree-Lined Streets: Shaded walkways and cycling paths, promoting eco-friendly transportation and reducing urban heat islands. 🌻 Community Gardens: Shared plots for growing fresh produce, fostering social connections and education. 🌻 Eco-Friendly Infrastructure: Renewable energy sources, rainwater harvesting, and waste management systems minimizing environmental impact. 🌻 Nature Reserves: Nearby protected areas preserving local biodiversity and offering peaceful retreats. 🌻 Green Spaces: Public parks and gardens, encouraging recreation, relaxation, and community bonding. Can you imagine living in a vibrant green environment every day? I recently had the opportunity to complete a survey launched by the National University of Singapore (NUS), which covered all the fantastic features above! Kudos to Singapore, our little red dot, for prioritizing sustainability and making our home a greener and more livable space for all!😍 #Sustainability #Singapore #GreenCity

Lianhe Zaobao 联合早报: Savills' new Heat Resilience Index ranks Singapore 19th among 30 global cities for its ability to handle extreme urban heat. Helsinki, Copenhagen, and Stockholm lead the list with Tokyo and Hong Kong in the top 10. The index evaluates cities based on extreme temperature risks and resilience strategies, considering factors like historical temperature highs and ESG scores. Paul Tostevin, Director of World Research at Savills, in an interview, explains that Singapore has a hot tropical climate, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius most of the time, so its ranking in the Index is low. However, the local maximum temperature is only 10 degrees Celsius higher than the average maximum temperature, and the temperature is relatively stable. European countries rank higher due to their geographical location and their fair and improving ESG policies that help residents mitigate the impact of extreme weather. Read more here: http://sav.li/b0s    #savillssg #savillsimpacts #HeatResilience #UrbanPlanning #ClimateChange #ESG #Singapore #GlobalCities #SustainableCities #RealEstate #EnvironmentalImpact

Erasmus Plus projects tend to start with identifying the gaps in the target countries and giving best-practice examples from EU countries to inspire development. That is the case with our ENRICHER hubs project as well. Even though tourism sustainability thinking and practices are core substances at Haaga-Helia, and yet working with the project partners has shown us amazing sustainability practices in Europe. Read more about our learnings: https://lnkd.in/eftZQFrf #enricherhubs #erasmusplus #sustainabletourism 

🚨 New Publication Announcement! 🚨 I'm thrilled to share our latest joint research article published in the prestigious journal Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes at Emerald: "Evolving visitors/tourists’ demands, preferences, and future expectations, related to 7PS sustainability during and after the pandemic through the X.0 wave/tomorrow age theory (when X.0=5.0)" Co-authored with my esteemed colleagues Omid Alijani, Mohammad Rahimi Moghaddam, and Behnam Ameri, this work explores: 🌍 The transformative shifts in tourist behaviors and preferences post-COVID-19. ♻️ How sustainability is becoming a cornerstone of the tourism industry. 🧩 The application of the X.0 wave/tomorrow age theory (X.0 = 5.0) and the 7PS sustainability framework to understand and guide sustainable tourism practices. 🚀 Insights into aligning tourism strategies with cultural, social, technological, environmental, and economic dimensions to meet evolving expectations. 🔍 Why this matters: This pioneering study blends innovative theoretical approaches with practical recommendations, offering valuable insights for creating a resilient, ecologically sound, and socially responsible tourism industry. 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/egncGM-z Your thoughts, reflections, and feedback are always welcome! Let's continue the conversation about sustainable tourism and its critical role in shaping the future. #Tourism #Sustainability #Research #X0WaveTheory #PostCOVID19 #HospitalityInnovation #SustainableFuture #EmeraldPublishing #theX0WaveTheory #Hamid_Mattiello

What exactly is #sustainability? Is it just respecting and preserving Nature? No, it is so much more... That's why our Destination Sustainability Index comprehends 17 metrics.

It's a well-known fact: Transforming into sustainable cities is the paramount challenge for international capitals. To understand where European cities stand in this transition process, we have measured and analysed the performance of some capitals using our Destination Sustainability Index – an index capable of measuring and analysing all aspects of sustainability of every destination worldwide. Let's delve into the performance of select cities and the innovative strategies they've employed in recent years to confront this challenge: https://bit.ly/3VWxSS3 #sustainability #responsibletourism

Singapore is a bustling city-state known for its economic prosperity and urban development, recognizes the critical importance of implementing a sustainability system. Here are some compelling reasons why Singapore should prioritize sustainability: Global Commitments: The Singapore Green Plan 2030 outlines ambitious targets for the zero emission. These global agreements emphasize the need for sustainable practices to combat climate change. Environmental Resilience: Singapore faces environmental challenges such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss. Implementing a sustainability system ensures that we build resilience against these threats. By preserving green spaces, enhancing biodiversity, and adopting eco-friendly practices, we can protect our environment for future generations. Resource Efficiency: As a small island nation with limited natural resources, Singapore must optimize resource use. A sustainability system encourages efficient water management, waste reduction, and energy conservation. By minimizing waste sent to landfills and promoting circular economy practices, we can enhance resource security. Economic Opportunities: Sustainability drives innovation and economic growth. By investing in renewable energy, green technologies, and sustainable infrastructure, Singapore can create new jobs and attract investments. The transition to a low-carbon economy opens doors for businesses and entrepreneurs. Health and Well-being: A sustainable city promotes healthier living. Cleaner air, green spaces, and active transportation options improve public health. By integrating nature into urban planning, we enhance residents’ well-being and quality of life. Education and Awareness: Implementing a sustainability system involves educating citizens, businesses, and policymakers. By raising awareness about environmental issues, we empower individuals to make informed choices. Schools, universities, and community programs play a crucial role in fostering a sustainability mindset. Leadership Role: As a global financial hub, Singapore can lead by example, especially now Singapore being a Financial Hub. By demonstrating commitment to sustainability, we inspire other cities and nations. Our actions ripple beyond our borders, influencing regional and international efforts. In short, implementing a robust sustainability system is essential for Singapore’s long-term prosperity, environmental resilience, and well-being. By embracing sustainable practices, we can create a greener, more liveable home for all. Let’s work together to transform our city into a beacon of sustainability! 🌿 #SDGs #ESG #sustainability #sustainable #ecofriendly #sustainableliving #environment #zerowaste #carbon #climatechange #nature #gogreen #recycle #savetheplanet #plasticfree #eco #reuse #design #GreenEnergy #architecture #innovation #RenewableEnergy #earth #ClimateAction #Recycling #ClimateCrisis #pollution #emission #CO2 #biomass #ocean

Heavy Investment in Three “Low-Cost, High-Return” Areas Could Propel a Vietnamese City Past Singapore The adoption of green growth is widely seen as an imperative for a sustainable future and has been a key goal for Vietnam in recent years and moving forward. This encompasses green growth in combination with the tight and harmonious integration of socio-economic development with environmental protection. Accordingly, people will be the central focus and the main decision-makers for living green and moving to renewable energy with the goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions. So how should Vietnam get started with green transition for sustainable development? On the occasion of SMU leaders visiting Vietnam, PV recently had a conversation with Professor Lily Kong, President of SMU, one of the leading experts and contributors to green growth in Singapore. “I was really amazed by the development of Hanoi” Professor Lily Kong is the current President of Singapore Management University (SMU). Have you ever been to Vietnam, Professor? What is your initial assessment of Vietnam’s development? Professor Lily Kong: Oh, I have been to Vietnam 4 or 5 times. I have been to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The last time I came to Vietnam was just before COVID-19 happened. At that time, I visited the Old Quarter in Hanoi, experienced the cultural characteristics and learned about Vietnam’s historical stories. This time, as soon as I arrived at the airport, I went straight to the Ocean City area. This is probably a very new area in Hanoi. I was really surprised and amazed by the pace of development and transformation of the city. Because as far as I know, this area used to be rice fields and marshes. But now, there are high-rise buildings with many “vibes” from different cultures. I felt like I was in London (England), Venice (Italy), and Korea… Hanoi now looks very modern and international. I think Hanoi is fully capable of becoming the next Singapore in the near future, or even surpassing it, if it invests heavily in urban planning such as housing, transport, and people. As an experienced expert in green growth and sustainable development in Singapore, what are the opportunities for Vietnam to develop in this field, in your opinion? Professor Lily Kong: I find that Vietnam is at a critical stage, a pivotal stage. This is the stage where we start building new metropolises, new residential areas. Therefore, if you really want to be green and sustainable, this is the most opportune time for us to start. When we decide to have a vision, we have to build from there, because it is very difficult to change course in the middle, right? Building and adhering to the set roadmap for green development, sustainable development, we will achieve the desired results. The opportunities for green growth in Vietnam are very promising. I think the most important thing for Vietnam right now is to identify the most pressing challenges at the moment. If...