Ethical Traveler has just released its annual list of the 10 most forward-thinking countries in the developing world. Reappearing on this year's list is surfing hotspot Cape Verde, located 570 kilometers off Senegal on the west coast of Africa. The non-profit cites Cape Verde for its significant efforts to switch to green energy and promote gender equality, with many women now holding high-ranking leadership positions.
Cape Verde —
Ethical Traveler has just released its annual list of the 10 most forward-thinking countries in the developing world. Reappearing on this year's list is surfing hotspot Cape Verde, located 570 kilometers off Senegal on the west coast of Africa. The non-profit cites Cape Verde for its significant efforts to switch to green energy and promote gender equality, with many women now holding high-ranking leadership positions.
Capeverde.com
Left off last year's list for its failure to respect or guarantee LGBT rights, Dominica has made cautious progress on this front, says Ethical Traveler. The report says Dominica continues to lead the Caribbean islands in healthcare, education and the development of geothermal electricity.
Dominica —
Left off last year's list for its failure to respect or guarantee LGBT rights, Dominica has made cautious progress on this front, says Ethical Traveler. The report says Dominica continues to lead the Caribbean islands in healthcare, education and the development of geothermal electricity.
Courtesy Dominica.DM
Grenada also did not make the 2015 list due to its failure to respect or guarantee LGBT rights. However it too has made cautious progress in this area, says the report. It's also taking action to protect and regenerate its reefs by creating coral nurseries. <br />
Grenada —
Grenada also did not make the 2015 list due to its failure to respect or guarantee LGBT rights. However it too has made cautious progress in this area, says the report. It's also taking action to protect and regenerate its reefs by creating coral nurseries.
courtesy grenada board of tourism
Many of the 2016 Ethical Destinations are frontrunners and advocates of a strong strategy to tackle climate change, including Micronesia, says Ethical Traveler's report. Human trafficking is still a problem, but it has been able to stay at a Tier 2 ranking on the U.S. State Department's Human Trafficking in Persons Report.
Federated States of Micronesia —
Many of the 2016 Ethical Destinations are frontrunners and advocates of a strong strategy to tackle climate change, including Micronesia, says Ethical Traveler's report. Human trafficking is still a problem, but it has been able to stay at a Tier 2 ranking on the U.S. State Department's Human Trafficking in Persons Report.
Mark Stratton
Currently 500,000 people, including 70% of Mongolia's herders, have modern electricity generated through solar power, says the report. However, it faces perhaps the most difficult animal welfare struggle of any country on Ethical Traveler's list, "due to a surge in wildlife trafficking -- some illegal, some unsustainable."
Mongolia —
Currently 500,000 people, including 70% of Mongolia's herders, have modern electricity generated through solar power, says the report. However, it faces perhaps the most difficult animal welfare struggle of any country on Ethical Traveler's list, "due to a surge in wildlife trafficking -- some illegal, some unsustainable."
Nila Sweeney/CNN
Newcomer Panama scored second highest in environmental protection among this year's top 10. Panama and Mongolia had the lowest unemployment rates of the countries on the list, "both reporting less than 5% of the workforce unemployed, while Panama also had the highest life expectancy at birth."
Panama —
Newcomer Panama scored second highest in environmental protection among this year's top 10. Panama and Mongolia had the lowest unemployment rates of the countries on the list, "both reporting less than 5% of the workforce unemployed, while Panama also had the highest life expectancy at birth."
RODRIGO ARANGUA/AFP/Getty Images
One of five countries to have also appeared on the 2015 list, Samoa continues to push for action on climate change. According to the report, it launched new solar plants in 2015 to achieve its plans of 100% sustainable energy by 2017.
Samoa —
One of five countries to have also appeared on the 2015 list, Samoa continues to push for action on climate change. According to the report, it launched new solar plants in 2015 to achieve its plans of 100% sustainable energy by 2017.
Courtesy Samoa Tourism Authority
Tonga scored highest in environmental protection among this year's top 10 most ethical destinations. However, the report says it was almost eliminated from this year's list for being one of just seven nations in the world to not ratify the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
Tonga —
Tonga scored highest in environmental protection among this year's top 10 most ethical destinations. However, the report says it was almost eliminated from this year's list for being one of just seven nations in the world to not ratify the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
TOURISM TONGA
Another newcomer to the list, the South Pacific island nation of Tuvalu is a member of the Vulnerable 20 (V20), created to share and scale up innovative approaches to climate change. At the end of 2014, its parliament passed the Family Protection and Domestic Violence Bill, which criminalized all forms of domestic violence.
Tuvalu —
Another newcomer to the list, the South Pacific island nation of Tuvalu is a member of the Vulnerable 20 (V20), created to share and scale up innovative approaches to climate change. At the end of 2014, its parliament passed the Family Protection and Domestic Violence Bill, which criminalized all forms of domestic violence.
AFP/Getty Images
Of this year's top 10, Uruguay is the leading performer in green energy. "It supplied 90% of its electricity from renewable sources this year, and is also working toward powering all public transport with electric energy, as well as creating the world's first fully sustainable airport," said the report.
Uruguay —
Of this year's top 10, Uruguay is the leading performer in green energy. "It supplied 90% of its electricity from renewable sources this year, and is also working toward powering all public transport with electric energy, as well as creating the world's first fully sustainable airport," said the report.
PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP/Getty Images