In an impressive achievement, Suva, the capital city of Fiji, has been named the best city for the environment among the world’s 1,000 largest cities, according to the latest Oxford Economics Global Cities report.
This annual index evaluates urban economies using a consistent framework, highlighting both their strengths and weaknesses.
Fiji is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, characterized by pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush tropical landscapes.
For this year, Fiji has welcomed 271,683 visitors and generated $970 million, showcasing tourism sector’s resilience and growth.
With climate change becoming a central issue in policymaking at all levels, the significance of the environment category has never been more pronounced.
The Environment category in the Global Cities Index assesses each city’s commitment to environmental sustainability and its resilience to climate change risks. The evaluation criteria include air quality, emissions intensity, natural disasters, temperature anomalies, and rainfall anomalies. These indicators provide a comprehensive overview of the natural environment and climate-related challenges each city faces.
Suva’s top ranking highlights its exceptional commitment to environmental sustainability, setting a global example in the face of climate change. This accolade not only brings recognition to Suva but also emphasizes the critical importance of sustainable urban development in ensuring long-term resilience for cities worldwide.
In the past year, the 1,000 largest cities collectively accounted for 60% of global GDP and housed over 30% of the world’s population, underscoring the growing importance of urban areas.
The 2024 Global Cities Index underscores the diversity of leading cities, with the top 10 cities spanning four continents. This variety illustrates that there is no singular blueprint for urban success. Generally, cities in North America, Western Europe, and Oceania excel, scoring high across all categories.
Support Our Journalism
Global Indian Diaspora needs fair, non-hyphenated, and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. The Australia Today – with exceptional reporters, columnists, and editors – is doing just that. Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.
Whether you live in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, or India you can take a paid subscription by clicking Patreon. Buy an annual ‘The Australia Today Membership’ to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
