Visit a Sustainable Christmas Market - choose from this list💗💗💗💗

 #sustainability #sustainabletourism

1. Essen (Germany):💗💗💗💗💗💗
   The city of Essen, recognized by the EU in 2017 as the European Green Capital, has maintained its commitment to sustainability, a philosophy that is also reflected in how it celebrates Christmas. Its international Christmas market ranks in first place as "Best sustainable Christmas market in Europe" in the scoring set up by European Best Destinations.
   
   Powered 100% by renewable energy, it stands out for having replaced plastic dishes and bags with a deposit system for cups, mugs, and plates in which products are served.

2. Maribor (Slovenia):💗💗💗💗💗💗
   Slovenia's second-largest city, following the capital, holds official recognition as one of the country's “Green Destinations”. Their Christmas market is unique for its eco-friendly constructions and its commitment to avoiding the use of cut fir trees. Instead, it showcases its renowned traditional "living trees" planted in pots, which are decorated by children from local schools. To add to that, the stalls offer artisanal products and a cuisine that promotes sustainable packaging, such as cardboard and wood, reinforcing their commitment to the environment.
   

3. Manchester (United Kingdom):💗💗💗💗💗💗
   Manchester's Christmas markets aim to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2038. As part of its strategy, more than 80% of its traders are local; the rest, primarily sourced from Europe, foster local proximity and help reduce the carbon footprint. Its measures include the use of generators that run on HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil or renewable diesel) - reducing emissions by up to 90% throughout the life cycle - along with renewable energies such as solar panels and rechargeable batteries.
   

4. Vienna (Austria):💗💗💗💗💗💗
   Although Vienna's Christmas markets have been a century-old tradition, as of 2022 they have been recognized as "ökoevents" or "ecological events", a prize awarded by the city to initiatives that adopt measures to reduce their environmental impact. This is evident from the fact that 75% of the products, food, and beverages offered are organic and come from sustainable crops. Karlsplatz market, formally known as Art Advent, is well known for its focus on local artisanal production. Moreover, their culinary offer is mostly organic.