South African Tourism (SAT) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Moeketsi Mosola recently congratulated Cape Town on being voted one of ten cities in the world that are most likely to become a global sustainability centre by 2020.

This award is added to Cape Town’s already impressive list of accolades including it being named Africa’s Best City (US Travel and Leisure Best in the World Awards, July); Favourite Foreign City (UK Telegraph); Best Travel Destination in Africa and Middle East (US Travel & Leisure magazine, 2004 through 2007); and One of the World’s five Bluest Sky Destinations (expedia.co.uk).

“This entrenches Cape Town’s credentials as a beautiful, eco-friendly destination committed to solid planning and construction principles in both its lifestyle and business sectors,” Mr Mosola said.

Cape Town was acknowledged for its sustainable development programme in 2004 to help deal with growing energy needs of the city.

The programme aims to have 10 percent of homes using solar power and 10 percent of the city’s energy consumption coming from renewable sources by 2020.

The city was included in a list of the ‘20 cities of 2020’ by the Ethisphere Institute, a New York business ethics and social responsibility think-tank, that chose it as a ‘2020 Global Sustainability Centre’.

Other top ten cities in the world were Toronto, Hyderabad, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, New York, London, Frankfurt, Curitiba and Melbourne.

“In a world of increasing population pressures and depleting natural resources some cities, such as Cape Town, are proactively adjusting their practices today as well as implementing sustainable long-term practices,” said Alex Brigham, executive director of the Ethisphere Institute.

Among the environmental and sustainability practices considered was health and recreation; education; arts and culture; economic and business environment; regulatory framework; law enforcement and transparency; media and speech; transportation and housing and innovation and investment.

“Cape Town is enjoying economic growth that will likely to continue through 2020 and beyond,” the Ethisphere Institute report said.

Mr Mosola highlighted that tourists are becoming more and more aware of sustainability and green tourist practices, and Cape Town boasts a large offering that are not only sustainable, but that are also increasingly mindful of the impact that humanity has on the planet.

“Sustainability is the way of the future, and Cape Town is proudly leading that way. It is also, without doubt, one of the world’s most beautiful cities,” the CEO said.

Molo Says: “At CapeTownMagazine.com, we’re proud of all that Cape Town is and has to offer, and we enjoy sharing that with you every day as well as award winning restaurants, award winning hotels. “

Cape Town is no stranger to receiving positive recognition - just take a look at the Best of Cape Town award winners to see who's making the most significant contributions to making the Mother City the world-class city that it is.

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