Adelaide has been named the Most Improved Destination in the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index rankings in only its second year of participation.
The city placed 54th on the list overall in the list of 100 global destinations.
Business Events Adelaide coordinated Adelaide’s entry into the index, with strong support from the South Australian Tourism Commission, Adelaide Convention Centre, City of Adelaide and a host of other leading Adelaide organisations.
Business Events Adelaide CEO Damien Kitto said that the organisation was delighted with the result.
“The Index requires a high level of detail, with some 76 criteria and 300 sub-questions,” he said.
“Our aim in the first year was to get an understanding of the areas that Adelaide was strong in and those that we needed to focus on, and it is fantastic to see such a big improvement in a short space of time.
“We are aware that sustainability issues are becoming an increasingly important consideration for business event organisers and delegates. This was one of our motivations for getting involved with GDS-Movement.
“GDS-Movement provides a stamp of approval to validate our initiatives and allows us to talk about Adelaide as a clean and green destination with some confidence”.
Emma Terry, chief executive of the South Australian Tourism Commission, said Adelaide has always sought to take a leadership position in urban sustainability.
“From pioneering renewable energy to fostering green infrastructure and circular economy practices, our city has consistently demonstrated its commitment to a cleaner, more resilient future,” she said.
“While there is still much to be done, we are pleased that Adelaide has been recognised as the Most Improved Destination for 2025, which is reflective of our commitment to be a tourism destination that has people, place and planet at its heart”.
Sarah Goldfinch, general manager of Adelaide Convention Centre, said they were proud to play a part in the result.
“We’re optimistic that we will continue to improve our indexation in future years to best reflect our destination’s true sustainability leadership,” she said.
“At Adelaide Convention Centre, we’re proud to play our part. Sustainability is embedded in everything we do, guided by our world-first EarthCheck Master certification for a convention centre.”
Adelaide is battling to host UN climate summit COP31 in 2026 following a last minute bid by Turkey. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in New York alongside Climate Minister Chris Bowen with hopes the pair will increase diplomatic pressure on Turkey to drop its bid before this year’s climate summit in November.
“The United Nations is much more than an arena for the great powers to veto each other’s ambitions. This is a platform for middle powers and small nations to voice – and achieve – our aspirations,” Albanese said.
“That is why Australia is seeking a place on the UN Security Council in 2029-30. And it is why we are bidding to co-host the 31st Conference of the Parties, with our Pacific family, nations for whom climate change is more than an environmental challenge, it is an existential threat.”
Albanese is looking to meet with Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, while Bowen was seen with Turkey’s first lady, Emine Erdoğan, who is a vocal advocate for sustainability.
Turkey was also using the UN meeting in New York to trumpet its own sustainability credentials, with Turkey’s climate minister, Murat Kurum, also in attendance.
Albanese recently launched Australia’s ambitious climate policy goals of reducing national emissions by 62–70% below 2005 levels by 2035, which alongside Adelaide’s GDS Index recognition, adds more weight behind Australia’s bid to host COP31.
“If Adelaide is the chosen host, COP – and the increased exposure that will result from it – offers a unique opportunity to position Adelaide at the forefront of environmentally and socially progressive measures,” said Kitto.
“It could attract a significant number of future business events related to sustainability, clean energy generation and associated fields, along with leading experts from around the world sharing their knowledge with local environmentally focussed organisations. The legacy opportunities will provide Adelaide with greater understanding to further boost its sustainability credentials in years for come.”