Norway the world’s most
sustainable country
Electric road trips, eco-labelled accommodation, outdoor activities and fresh local delicacies make Norway a destination that enriches the travellers and the locals at the same time. The home of one of the most magnificent fjords, northern lights, authentic fishing villages and trekking paths with the most breathtaking views, is now the world’s most sustainable country and is ready to inspire travellers to experience it in a greener way.
NORWAY THE WORLD'S MOST SUSTAINABLE COUNTRY
For years now, Norway has been primarily powered by hydropower, with the many water resources across the country being the foundation for the electricity supply. It covers 60 per cent of the territory’s energy, making Norway Europe’s largest hydropower nation. In addition to this achievement, the country went a step forward and managed to change the local’s way of living, eating and moving around, forming its reputation as the world’s most sustainable country.
Sustainable transport makes getting around Norway very accessible: with the trains and buses, you can travel anywhere around the territory. It invites tourists to “travel like a local”, while experiencing some of the most beautiful train rides in the world and encountering the magnificent fjords and Norway’s coastlines on eco- friendly cruises and electric ships.
Travelling in a sustainable way assures that you are improving the environmental impact while experiencing the wonders around Norway. The scheme called “Sustainable Destination” is given to places around the country that are developing a more responsible tourism around Norway and reinforcing local values of the communities, making them a better place to live and visit. Even though Oslo is not yet certified as a Sustainable Destination, it has been named the European Green Capital of 2019, as two-thirds of the city consists of wood and water.
Norway’s diverse landscapes, from famously marked trekking paths to untainted and wild places, gave the country the reputation as the major hiking destination in Europe. From hiking the Preikestolen and Trolltunga routes, cycling around Rallarvegen, fishing and kayaking in the country’s cold lakes and rivers, or skiing up north in Lyngenfjord, Norway is an all- year-round destination for adventure and outdoor lovers.
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT
Eco friendly transport is one of the main reasons of why Norway is the world’s most sustainable country. Train and land power ferries connect Oslo with some of the main cities of Europe, like Copenhagen and Stockholm, which allows you to avoid the plane to get there.
“Travel like a local” is becoming very popular among travellers, as public transport in Norway is very efficient. Whether its by train, boat or ferry you can move around the whole country in a environment-friendly way that, not only gets you to see locals in their daily life, but takes you to experience some of the most beautiful train rides in the world like Bergen Railway, the Rauma Railway, the Nordland Railway and the Ofoten Line, which go through local villages and untouched hidden landscapes that you cannot experience on a plane.
Norway’s fjords and the hidden villages around the coastlines are on the bucket list of most travellers. Local ferries and ecological cruises take you to wander around the Norwegian coasts, where you can experience one of the most amazing fjords in the world, or go island hopping in Norway’s main ports, like Bergen, Alesund and Trondheim. As ferries work close with the local community, you get to disembark in remote fishing villages and taste some of Norway’s finest dishes.
The country, however, has a green option for every person, and for the people wanting to rent their own car, electric road trips are very welcomed in Norway. Electric cars and even bikes are available for rent, with over 10,000 charging stations across the country.
SUSTAINABLE DESTINATIONS
Sustainable Destinations are places that are taking an extra care of the environment, the culture and the local community. They assure travellers that while they’re experiencing the wonders of these unique destinations, they’re environmental footprints remain as low as possible and they’re preserving cultural heritages.
There is a sustainable destination for every type of traveller as they are located around the whole country. For adventure and hiking lovers, Lyngenfjord and Lysefjord are the best options, as they are surrounded by mountains where you can go hiking and skiing. Geilo, Trysil and Meccas are also among the ideal spots for all- year round adventure seekers, as in winter they have some of the country’s most grand ski slopes, which transform in amazing cycling tracks in summer. To get immersed in Norway’s culture, Røros, Lærdal, the villages in Setesdal and Lillehammer are traditional towns where you can have a little peek of the Norwegians way of living. In the archipelago Vega, in the Helgeland coast, you can experience the cultural process of how duck feathers collected in boxes turn into the world’s most exclusive duvets.
There are some places that are on the way to becoming Sustainable Destinations, like Lofoten Islands and Oslo, and are expecting to reach their goal in the upcoming year. Oslo, however, is the European Green Capital 2019 because of its innovative environmental solutions. As two-thirds of the place consists of woods and water, you can go kayaking, cycling and relax in one the many green spaces that the area has to offer.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
The top hiking destination in Europe earned its reputation because of the hiking routes found across the whole country. Whether you are a fearless adventurer wanting to explore the untamed places around the mountains or a hiking lover wanting to experience some of the country’s main trekking sports, Norway’s varied-scenery is full of endless opportunities. Some of the classic hiking spots in Norway are Preikestolen, Trolltunga, Galdhøpiggen, Besseggen and Romsdalseggen.
During the past years, interest in cycling has raised among Norwegians and travellers, turning Norway in a top cycling destination. For experts wanting a rough terrain and steep downhills and for the more inexperienced, Norway’s paths will take you to discover hidden gems around the mountainside. The most popular cycling destinations are Valdres, Telemark, Helgeland and Fjord Norway. Rallarvegen, located in central Norway, is one of the best known bike trails in the country, as it starts in the mountains and ends by a fjord.
To get close to Norway’s majestic fjords, canoeing and kayaking are the best options, as the country is the home of millions of oceans, fjords, lakes and rivers. You can paddle on a glacial lake, on a forest lake or close to one of the main cities. Some lucky adventurers even have the chance to experience it in winter under the northern lights.
In winter, ski resorts are full of locals and travellers seeking for an adventure. While mountains with cross- country tracks and alpine resorts can be found mainly in central and eastern Norway, traditional skiing can be experienced all over the country.
ECO-LABELLED ACCOMMODATION AND LOCAL FRESH DELICACIES
Travelling around the world’s most sustainable country means that you will find plenty of local shops with fresh delicacies. Norway has gone through a big culinary revolution over the past years, while generating a rise in local and organic food. The quality of the products comes from the weather conditions of the country: cold and unpolluted climate which is ideal for growing berries and vegetables, and for small farms that can produce milk, cheese and beef in healthy environments. Travellers can eat at local shops, where they can taste milk and cheese from sheeps and cows that are wandering around the mountainside during the summer, or go fishing to catch their own fish.
The number of sustainable Norwegian restaurants grows every year, and in Oslo you can find the “World’s Most Sustainable Bar” called “Himkok” and “Rest”, the only restaurant that converts leftovers into top gourmet meals. “Credo” restaurant, located in Trondheim, received the first Michelin Nordic Guide Sustainability Award.
Regarding accommodation, Norway encourages people to stay in eco-labelled accommodations which maintain low energy consumption and prevent food wastage. “Svart” is one of the world’s most environmentally friendly hotels, located in Svartisen glacier in Holandsfjorden. It will open in 2021 and it will demand 85 per cent less energy than a regular hotel, while being located in front of Norway’s second largest glacier.
NORWAY THE WORLD'S MOST SUSTAINABLE COUNTRY
Norway’s the world’s most sustainable destination and living in a green way has never been so easy! Take care of the environment and the local culture while exploring the wonders that the country has to offer. Check out the tips that we suggest in Travelling Whale to travel in a more sustainable way.
by Clara Preve
Freelance writer
