Melbourne Number One in APAC Region in Global Sustainability Ranking

Melbourne has achieved number one ranking in Australia and in the Asia Pacific in the prestigious Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index rankings for 2025. The city also earned first position in the Metropolis and Mega Cities category.  

Melbourne rose to 11th place worldwide, from 24th place in 2024, cementing its place as a global leader in sustainability and its commitment to continuous improvement across the visitor economy. The city’s index score improved from 76.6 per cent in 2024 to 83 per cent in 2025, the most significant improvement in the past seven years. 

The GDS Index is the world’s leading sustainability benchmarking and performance improvement programme for tourism and events destinations, evaluating cities across four key pillars: environmental strategy and performance, social sustainability, destination management, and supplier engagement. 

Melbourne Convention Bureau Chief Executive Julia Swanson, said: “Melbourne’s top ranking in the GDS-Index is a testament to the power of collaboration across our city. From government and industry to our venues and suppliers, we’ve worked together to embed sustainability into the fabric of our business events sector. This recognition reflects our shared commitment to creating lasting social and environmental impact, and it reinforces Melbourne’s position as a global leader in sustainable business events.”

A key element in Melbourne’s success was the strong performance of suppliers across the city who play a critical role in delivering environmentally and socially responsible events. Organisations, including hotels and event venues, demonstrated a commitment to sustainable practices that elevated Melbourne’s ability to host world-class events with minimal environmental impact.  

The strength of Team Melbourne and the city’s collaborative approach to event delivery also played a crucial role in the result. Melbourne Convention Bureau’s strong partnerships with the City of Melbourne and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), as well as the support of the Victorian government, allow them to embed sustainability into the way they attract, plan and deliver business events, creating world-class events that leave a positive legacy. The City of Melbourne collaborated closely with MCB on their submission, ensuring their efforts in being considered a sustainable event destination were recognised on the world stage. 

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Chief Executive Natalie O’Brien, said: "Melbourne’s top ranking in the GDS-Earth Index is a powerful recognition of our city’s collective commitment to sustainability and innovation. At MCEC, we’re proud to contribute to this achievement through our world-leading environmental design and operations, and by working closely with our partners to deliver events that are not only exceptional but also responsible. This result reflects the strength of Team Melbourne and our shared vision for a thriving, sustainable visitor economy." 

The City of Melbourne is a global leader in climate action and sustainability, with a range of policies and programmes designed to address these pressing problems. MCEC is the first centre in the world to be awarded the 6-Star Green Star rating for its innovative environmental design and operational features, and the centre has been awarded Platinum certification in the Earth Check Company Standard; one of only 5 convention centres in the world with Platinum or Master certification. 

The City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, said: "Melbourne’s number one ranking in the GDS-Earth Index is a testament to our city’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation and collaboration. 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 to build a cleaner, greener and fairer Melbourne for generations to come."  

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.