News Berlin ranks third among major cities in the 2026 GDS Index

Ahead of Berlin in the latest GDS Index are Sydney in 1st place and Montréal in 2nd place, both with 87 percent. Berlin ranks first in the "Environment" category.

The GDS Index assesses the sustainable development of tourism and event destinations worldwide. Berlin ranks first in the Environment category. The following results and offerings are particularly relevant for event planning:

• 81 percent of the congress centres and conference venues considered for the submission have third-party sustainability certification.
• 76 percent of rooms in Berlin hotels with at least 75 rooms are certified accordingly.
• 75 partners from Berlin's visitor economy are certified through the Sustainable Berlin programme.
• Berlin's Congress Fund for Sustainable Meetings links funding to achieving at least 300 points in the Sustainable Event Scorecard.

A climate roadmap for Berlin's tourism and events sector also sets out ways to reduce emissions and adapt to climate risks. The GDS Index results make it possible to compare Berlin's development as an international congress destination and provide event planners with guidance on certified offerings.

Berlin is in good company here: four other member cities of the BestCities Global Alliance are represented in this year's GDS Index ranking: Dublin in 4th place, Madrid in 7th place, Melbourne in 8th place and Dubai in 12th place. Among these five cities, Berlin achieves the highest ranking, in 3rd place.

(Source: Sustainable metropolis achieves new record: Berlin climbs to 3rd place in the GDS Index | about.visitBerlin.de and Ranking and Results - Global Destination Sustainability Movement)