How Valencia became the first city in the world to verify its tourism carbon emissions

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Cycling through the Turia Gardens, the park that curves for 9km around the centre of Valencia, is a handy and healthy way to get around Spain’s third-largest city, whether you need to get to work or want to see the sights. open image in gallery Turia Gardens opened in 1986 and the park is one of the largest in Spain While there’s been a lot of talk about environmental issues in many cities of late, Valencia has been busy actually making things happen with a pioneering sustainable tourism strategy. The Valencian water company Global Omnium, in collaboration with the Visit Valencia Foundation and the city council, measured the sources and environmental impact of greenhouse gas emissions in 2019 with respect to travel to Valencia, transport around the city, accommodation, restaurants, shopping, leisure activities, water management, waste treatment and tourism infrastructure. We want to make Valencia one of the most sustainable cities in the world and attract the sort of tourists who share this outlook.” Head out of the city centre to the north and you’re soon in a landscape of orange and olive groves, vineyards and fields of aubergines Valencia’s geographical conditions give it a bit of an advantage when it comes to improving its environmental credentials.