Sustainable Travel

This refers to ‘the variability of living organisms, between and within species, and the changeability of the ecosystems to which they belong’ (The Convention on Biological Diversity)

Carbon capture can encompass both natural and technological entities that store carbon and prevent emissions into the atmosphere. Oceans, forests (trees), soil, rock and peatlands are all capable of absorbing and storing carbon, making them powerful forms of natural carbon capture. Carbon capture technology (CCT) is in its very early stages due to limitations in funding. However, examples include how CO2 produced in power stations can be captured before it is released into the atmosphere, and stored underground. This expensive technology currently only mitigates a small amount of emissions. The International Energy Agency warns that CCT is not a substitute for reducing fossil fuel emissions.

The carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of a person, operation, or business, typically measured in tonnes. CO2e, or carbon dioxide equivalent, is the standard unit for measuring carbon footprints across industries. While there are more greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, emissions are currently and typically measured in terms of CO2 and are categorised in terms of Scope 1, 2, or 3 (see emissions categorisation).

The balance between emitting, and the voluntary reduction and compensation (offsetting) of emissions, to achieve a neutral emission equilibrium. Carbon neutrality refers to emissions in Scope 1 and 2, but generally not to Scope 3 emissions. 

A circular economy is regenerative and aims to reduce the consumption of finite virgin resources. It encourages the evolving or adaptation of mostly lifestyle products so that they can be reused for longer, and when no longer usable, can be recovered for parts. It is a systemic approach designed to benefit businesses, society, and the environment.

Putting the host community at the centre of the travel experience, the aim of CBT is to ensure local people benefit from the income generated from the travel industry. This includes owning and managing their own surroundings, economy and business. CBTs are seen on responsible tour operator itineraries – such as Intrepid Travel’s immersive experiences and Experience Travel Group’s ‘Give Back Experiences’. Community-based tourism initiatives may also be supported by donations from an operator’s non-profit arms, such as Planeterra by G Adventures, the Intrepid Foundation or the Great Plains Foundation.

A certification of sorts that suggests an environmentally-positive operation. However, accreditation varies in standard and integrity and only external professional bodies should be considered as trustworthy. Even then, it’s important to consider the criteria for certification – as some accreditations are basic, others are more stringent.

According to the International Ecotourism Society, eco-tourism is “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education” The term is often used interchangeably with ‘sustainable tourism’, although the latter can relate to any area of sustainability within the sector, not only nature-based tourism.

Scope 1: Direct emissions from a business operation such as office servers, vehicle use.

Scope 2: Indirect emissions resulting from the generation of purchased electricity, heating or cooling by a business.

Scope 3: Indirect emissions that occur in a business’s value chain such as purchased goods and services, business travel, employee commuting, waste disposal, investments and travelling to a destination.

This is a very loose term and can, technically, cover a whole manner of scopes – including those that may seem ‘green’ on the surface but aren’t on a deeper look. Businesses with a genuinely positive impact tend to offer more detail than this simple term.

Often used within companies to describe an approach to sustainability. ESG is a framework that manages the risks and opportunities related to ‘environmental’, ‘social’, and ‘governance’ factors within a business environment, and takes the holistic view that sustainability extends beyond just environmental issues. The framework is built on the academic theory relating to the contested sustainable development principle entitled the ‘Triple Bottom Line’ framework, which is widely adopted across global businesses.

Being ‘green’ is used to describe actions or initiatives that are conducted in a sustainable way, in an attempt to reduce impact on planetary resource limits. However, the word can be used to describe actions or initiatives that do not actively do this, but rather convey an ethos of being planet-friendly e.g. being outside, walking or riding a bike. This can be considered ‘greenwashing’ (see below).

While there are others, the term typically refers to carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane.

This is when an individual or company paints an action as credibly sustainable when, in fact, it is an action that benefits them, or that should be considered the bare minimum. This is typically in the form of an overstated or exaggerated claim of environmental or social impact. Sometimes, greenwashing can be unintentional due to a lack of understanding of what is genuinely impactful, but often it is deliberate disinformation intended to engage clients. Greenwashing is becoming more prevalent as the sustainable travel trend grows. Examples include:

• Accommodation claiming to be an eco-hotel due to being based among trees.
• Eco-resorts that offer to wash towels only on request ‘to save water’, but offer a luxury spa in a region devoid of rain.
• Destinations that claim to be sustainable but cannot share how they are reducing emissions/protecting biodiversity/ensuring local employment/involving stakeholders in decision-making.
• Cruise companies that pledge to remove waste from island destinations that have limited space for landfill anyway, and those that have yet to undertake basic measures such as eliminating their own single-use plastic items.
• Any business promoting credentials through eco-labels or certifications that have been internally rewarded.

Net zero refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) that's produced and the amount that's removed from the atmosphere. It can be achieved through emission reduction and emission removal.

Carbon offsetting claims to balance the production of emissions via a donation, usually to a global initiative said to capture and store carbon dioxide by protecting existing/planting new forests, plants and peatland, or via renewable energy projects. The process involves calculating emissions, establishing an equivalent value, then finding a reputable scheme that will donate the corresponding credit to an offset project. Well-managed offsetting initiatives can play a vital part of a longer-term solution for carbon removal. Yet, many schemes, due to mismanagement, have led to environmental degradation, the displacement of Indigenous communities, and – as reported recently – disinformation and inaction. Importantly, offsetting doesn’t remove what has already been emitted into the atmosphere, so it cannot cancel out the problem.

EarthCheck (the certification body) suggests that regenerative tourism is a “step beyond” that of sustainable tourism. While both come from the concern for the earth and tourism’s role causing negative impact, sustainable tourism focuses on a “sustainable harvest from human, social and nature’s capitals”. Instead, EarthCheck proposes that “regenerative tourism is a process where tourism sector stakeholders, collectively, exert care and guardianship (through decision-making and practices) for the improvement and enhancement of natural, human and human-made elements when moving to, visiting, living or operating in a destination. In so doing, these stakeholders allow these elements to exceed their current survivability conditions.”

Renewable energy comes from typically naturally replenishing sources such as solar, wind, geothermal or hydroelectric (contested). They can be accessed via a public grid system or produced locally, on-site at a hotel or resort. Renewable energy is typically used for electricity.

According to the Responsible Tourism Partnership, ‘Responsible Tourism requires that operators, hoteliers, governments, local people and tourists take responsibility, take action to make tourism more sustainable. Behaviour can be more or less responsible and what is responsible in a particular place depends upon environment and culture’. The concept was defined in Cape Town in 2002 alongside the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Typically a member of the community that is affected or impacted, in this case, by tourism and tourism development.

“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development requires the elimination of institutional fragmentation ensuring that environmental, social, and economic concerns are integrated throughout decision-making processes and development that is fair, equitable and just.” World Commission on Environment and Development

The quality of being able to continue over a period of time or the avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance (Cambridge Dictionary).

"Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities" As defined by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

Zero waste is a set of principles focused on waste prevention that prolongs resource life cycles so that all products are repurposed and/or reused (see circular economy) – ensuring no waste ends up in landfill.

The UNWTO has adapted the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework – which is used globally by governments and public bodies and businesses to address global sustainability – into three pillars of sustainable tourism. According to the UNWTO, sustainable tourism should:

1. Take optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity.

2. Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance.

3. Ensure viable, long-term economic operations, providing socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders that are fairly distributed, including stable employment and income-earning opportunities, and social services to host communities, and contributing to poverty alleviation.

Underpinning these three pillars are the core principles of sustainable development and social responsibility, as per academic findings: Environmental, social (or socio-cultural) and economical [tourism development]. Previous UNWTO explanations have said sustainable tourism takes full account of its current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts while addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities. Key takeaways are:

• Sustainable tourism is a continuous process and requires constant monitoring.
• It requires the informed participation of stakeholders (inc. host communities).
• Traveller’s awareness about sustainability issues is important.
• It promotes sustainable tourism practices.
• And finally, maintains a high level of tourist satisfaction and experiences.

The UNWTO One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme addresses the mainstreaming of sustainable consumption and production (SCP) in tourism. It aligns sustainable tourism development with the World Commission on Environment and Development’s concept on sustainable development, i.e. “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development requires the elimination of institutional fragmentation ensuring that environmental, social, and economic concerns are integrated throughout decision-making processes and development that is fair, equitable and just.” It’s worth noting that sustainable development that benefits locals makes for a sustainable environment for tourism, too.

Officially established in 1990 to bring together industry voices, data and messaging, the WTTC headquarters is based in London. The Council is made up of members from the global business community and works with authorities to raise awareness around the travel and tourism industry. The WTTC declares that it promotes sustainable initiatives that benefit people and businesses, as well as nature and the environment.

Initiatives cover:
• Climate and environment action
• Rethinking single use plastics
• Human trafficking
• Destination stewardship
• Biodiversity and illegal wildlife trade
• Sustainability leadership
• Inclusion, diversity and social impact
• Sustainability reporting
• Future of work

Informs us that travel & tourism:
• Accounts for 10% of global GDP.
• Represents one in ten jobs worldwide in 2019.
• Supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that account for 80% of the number of businesses within the sector.

Formed in 2007 with a coalition of 32 partners - initiated by the Rainforest Alliance, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Foundation (UN Foundation), and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) - the GSTC is a global advisory body, education centre and accreditation provider that considers four key pillars in sustainable tourism:

1. Sustainable management

2. Socio-economic impacts

3. Cultural impacts and preservation

4. Environmental impacts (including consumption of resources, reducing pollution, and conserving biodiversity and landscapes)

Under these pillars, there are detailed sustainability criteria for destinations, hotels and tour operators to use to achieve a GSTC badge or logo, showing a business qualifies for accreditation. As a summary, measuring, monitoring, reducing and reporting of impacts are key under every pillar.

TTF is an international travel organisation set up in 2003, dedicated to positive impact tourism for both communities and environments. It supports organisations to make changes towards sustainable tourism and considers this to mean “fair, inclusive and climate-friendly” initiatives.

The concept of ‘Responsible Tourism’ was defined in Cape Town in 2002 at the World Summit on Sustainable Development. The so-called ‘Cape Town Declaration’ was the first of its kind to recognise the term. It proposes that Responsible Tourism:

• Minimises negative economic, environmental and social impacts.
• Generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities, improves working conditions and access to the industry.
• Involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life changes.
• Makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, to the maintenance of the world’s diversity.
• Provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues.
• Provides access for people with disabilities and the disadvantaged.
• Is culturally sensitive, engenders respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence.

The global sustainability certification and advisory body based in Queensland, Australia, EarthCheck, proposes that regenerative tourism “is a process where tourism sector stakeholders, collectively, exert care and guardianship (through decision-making and practices) for the improvement and enhancement of natural, human and human-made elements when moving to, visiting, living or operating in a destination. In so doing, these stakeholders allow these elements to exceed their current survivability conditions.” A relatively newer term in the sustainable tourism world, regenerative tourism is a concept that goes beyond the sustainable development of tourism and relates to returning ecosystems to their most natural state.

The WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics initiative was launched in 2023, in accordance with the Global Sustainable Tourism Initiative (GSTC) and Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA). Hotels can become verified under the Hotel Sustainability Basics.

It consists of a set of 12 basic sustainability criteria that have been globally agreed and are considered to be fundamental to hotel sustainability. Please note: These are baseline indicators to show hotels have at least started their journey towards sustainability and are, crucially, measuring their carbon footprint/environmental impact and community engagement.

The 12 indicators of Hotel Sustainability Basics

Efficiency:
1. Measure and reduce energy use
2. Measure and reduce water use
3. Identify and reduce waste
4. Measure and reduce carbon emissions

Planet:
5. Linen reuse programme
6. Green cleaning products
7. Vegetarian options
8. No plastic straws or stirrers
9. No single-use plastic water bottles
10. Bulk amenity dispensers

People:
11. Community benefit
12. Reduce inequalities

For anyone interested, the WTTC has also released a selection of reports on various aspects of sustainable tourism practices – including a roadmap to net zero, tourism as a catalyst for social good, nature positive tourism toolkit, waste reduction (including food waste).

Hotel groups that follow the Sustainability Basics principles include Radisson Hotel Group, Louvre Hotel Group.

Tour operators that follow the Sustainability Basics principles include Intrepid Travel, British Airways Holidays, Kuoni Tulmare, Abercrombie & Kent.

The sustainability of built environments is coming under the spotlight more, especially new-build luxury hotels chains. These standards address energy, waste and overall health of the build.

• Developed by the US Green Building Council, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the most widely-used building sustainability rating system.
• Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEM)
• EDGE is a free tool used to help reduce energy-use, water and carbon emissions.

The B Corp certification isn’t limited to tourism. It aims to develop the economic system into a more inclusive, equitable, and regenerative global economy. The certification is reviewed every three years through a B Impact Assessment. The standards are based on:

1. The company’s governance
2. How the company treats its workers
3. Impact on the community
4. The company's impact on the environment
5. The company's customers

The ‘Travel by B Corp’ initiative recognises the greater impact of working together. Many operators come together under this umbrella to undertake the following (in their words):

• Work together to provide sustainable choices in travel
• Be accountable, transparent and honest
• Ensure experiences will be better, not compromised
• Be friendly, welcoming, and not preachy
• Demonstrate responsible travel
• Commit to changing the language of sustainability
• Lead voices at the forefront of an urgent mission
• Not be radical, but not accept the status quo

UK Operators who are B Corp-certified include: Adventure Tours UK, Byway, Experience Travel Group, Inside Travel, Intrepid Travel, Joro, Journeys With Purpose, Much Better Adventures, Pura Adventures, Sawday’s, Steppes.

A form of certification to global agencies that:

• Undertake the reduction, reuse and recycling of all waste products.
• Implement social principles.
• Respect laws related to fair and safe working conditions for employees and collaborators.
• Donate at least 1% of profit to conservation or humanitarian projects.
• Provide 10% of travel offers that donate to conservation or humanitarian projects including a trip per year in collaboration with the World Sustainability Organisation’s internal foundation.

The Travel Association (ABTA)-approved pathways for operator sustainability.

Tourism for Good 2020
Provides a set of principles for sustainability: Creating economic and social value, sustaining jobs, supporting businesses and boosting inward investment for destinations where many livelihoods depend on tourism.

Climate Action Handbook 2022
Supports the industry to reduce GHG emissions and achieve net-zero targets and to do so in collaboration with industry stakeholders.

Created by the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) with assistance from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the United Nations Development Program in 2021. Relevant to: The 21 Government members are American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna, Rapa Nui and the People’s Republic of China.

  • Supporting prosperous and resilient economies
• Empowering communities
• Amplifying and promoting culture
• Accelerating climate action
• Protecting ecosystems
• Building (tourism) resilience.

Created by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) in 2020. Relevant to: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, St. Eustatius, Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, Saint Martin, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Tobago, Turks & Caicos, US Virgin Islands.

• Mainstream climate change actions
• Multi-hazard risk management and resilience
• Gender equity
• Contribute to UN SDGs
• Apply sustainability to all tourism
• Optimal use of natural resources
• Socio-cultural and heritage conservation
• Entrepreneurship and stable employment
• Visitor satisfaction
• Public private partnerships
• Regional collaboration and integration
• Monitoring and evaluation

Implemented by Visit England, to ‘grow tourism responsibly in a finite world, creating resilience and prosperity for all, balancing growth aspirations of the Strategic Framework with the principles of sustainability’.

• Embed the principles of Wise Growth into all Action Plans associated with the Strategic Framework for Tourism.
  • Embed the principles of Wise Growth into communications strategies with visitors.
• Help tourism businesses engage in Wise Growth, by providing tools and resources.
• Measure, report and communicate the impacts of Wise Growth transparently.

• Socio-economic growth
• Preservation of natural and cultural values
• Social benefit
• Participation and governance
• Permanent adaptation
• Leadership

This is the UN’s carbon calculator for flights. It’s based on data from 190 countries, and is a baseline for the industry. But unlike many other calculators, it only does flights (no trains, ships, or anything else) and it only does carbon (it doesn’t include the impacts of other greenhouse gases released by aeroplane engines, nor does it account for factors like the time of the day of the flight, or the altitude). For those reasons, it provides more conservative estimates of the total climate footprint of a flight than other calculators.

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This calculator is a project by several Swedish tourism organisations and universities.

  It’s useful for comparing train, bus, air, and car travel emissions all in one place, and with lots of options. You can even add in the number of nights you’ll be staying in a hotel at your destination, and it’ll include that in the footprint.

  For flights, you can specify economy, premium economy, or business/first class. The calculation includes non-CO2 effects of travel, as well as even the emissions associated with manufacturing jet fuel. These factors make the results more aggressive than those from ICAO, but more representative of a trip’s true, total impact. For overland trips, you can choose the type of vehicle you’re driving, or the type of train – diesel or electric.

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This calculator provides carbon emissions estimates for flights (including on private jets), car trips, and even journeys on the water (choose between cruise ships, liveaboards, or yachts).

  The ship and private aeroplane options are what make this calculator unique. It’s the only one we know of that allows ultra-luxury travellers to compare the emissions of dozens of models of private planes. (And allows the rest of us to see just how much worse they all are than flying commercial.)

Other than that, the methodology and results for flights are very similar to those from TravelAndClimate.org. They also give users the option to purchase verified carbon offsets for the trip after running a calculation. 

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Created by a German non-profit, Atmosfair is perhaps the most detailed emissions calculator currently available. It lets users specify the exact aircraft they flew on, and its formula produces the most aggressive emissions results of any calculator we tested.

  Atmosfair includes non-CO2 factors in its calculation, just like Sustainable Travel International and TravelAndClimate.org (meaning other greenhouse gases, such as nitrogen oxide, and pollutants, such as soot particles, that also have warming effects.) The significant difference in their results comes from the fact that Atmosfair includes radiative forcing.  

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Advertising standards that review sustainability marketing with an aim to tackle misleading green claims. The ASA advises that marketers should always ensure that they have robust substantiation for the claims they make. If in any doubt, it’s best not to repeat these claims. It looks out for:

• Exaggeratory language such as claims to be ‘environmentally friendly’
• Unqualified claims about environmentally beneficial work
• The use of green claims in a way that is likely to mislead

Government policy to reach net zero carbon emissions in the UK by 2050, relative to 1990 ‘baseline’ emissions.

• Made at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21)
• 197 nations, including the UK, agreed to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C by 2100.

The treaty was enforced in November 2016.

It pledges:
• To "pursue efforts" to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C, and to keep them "well below" 2.0C above pre-industrial times
• Each country to set its own emission-reduction targets, reviewed every five years to raise ambitions
• To limit greenhouse gas emissions from human activity to the same levels that trees, soil and oceans can absorb naturally – known as net zero – between 2050 and 2100
• Richer countries to help poorer nations by providing funding, known as climate finance, to adapt to climate change and switch to renewable energy.

Science-based targets provide companies with a clearly-defined path to reduce emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. The pathway is considered ‘science-based’ as they align with what the latest climate science understanding deems necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement – limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Adopted by hotels and tour operators, including The Travel Corporation and Intrepid Travel.

Made up of a coalition of six non-governmental organisations – Centre for Responsible Travel (CREST), Destination Stewardship Centre, Green Destinations, Sustainable Travel International, Tourism Cares and The Travel Foundation – the FTC was created in 2020 in the hope of “appealing for change” within tourism. Since then, over 600 signatories have signed to the FTC principles, including tourism boards, businesses, and organisations around the world - from the Australian Green political Party to the Jordan Tourist Board. The FTC follows 13 Principles, outlined below:

• Recognise that most tourism involves the destination, its ecosystems, natural resources, cultural assets and traditions, communities, aesthetics, and built infrastructure.
• Adopt GSTC criteria.
• Manage tourism development based on quality of visitation, not quantity of visitors.
• Demand fair income distribution among communities
• Reduce tourism's burden. Account for all tourism costs in terms of environmental and social impacts and disruption.
• Favour metrics that specify destination benefits such as small business development, distribution of incomes, and enhancement of sustainable local supply chains.
• Mitigate climate impacts. Strive to follow accepted scientific consensus on needed reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
• Promote a circular economy.
• Contain tourism's land use. Avoid resorts taking over coasts, islands, mountain areas.
• Raise citizens' perceived value of their own natural and cultural heritage.
• Protect sense of place. Encourage tourism policies and business practices that protect and benefit natural assets.
• Operate business responsibly – reward tourism businesses that support these principles.

This is led by the UNWTO in collaboration with The Travel Foundation and works within the framework of Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency and One Planet Network. This, in turn, has been updated to match the Glasgow Declaration Framework.

To become a signatory, the business must achieve the following criteria:
• Join the global commitment to halve emissions by 2030 and reach Net Zero as soon as possible - before 2050.
• Deliver climate action plans within 12 months from becoming a signatory (or updating existing plans) and implement them.
• Align plans with the five pathways of the Declaration (Measure, Decarbonise, Regenerate, Collaborate, Finance) to accelerate and co-ordinate climate action in tourism.
• Report publicly on an annual basis on progress against interim and long-term targets, as well as on actions being taken.
• Work in a collaborative spirit, sharing good practices and solutions, and disseminating information to encourage additional organisations to become signatories and supporting one another to reach targets as quickly as possible.

Launched in 2020 to support climate action. Backed by tour operators such as Intrepid Travel, Explore, Exodus, Responsible Travel and other travel & tourism entities, such as the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and The Long Run.

Signatories declare:
• A shared commitment to unite all stakeholders in transforming tourism to deliver effective climate action.
• Support the commitment to halve emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.
• Align actions with the latest scientific recommendations, to ensure efforts are consistent with a rise of no more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100.

Signatories agree to the same requirements outlined by the Glasgow Declaration:
• Deliver a climate action plan within 12 months of signing.
• Report publicly about long-term and interim targets, as well as actions.
• Align a plan with the five shared pathways to measure, decarbonise, regenerate, collaborate and finance to ensure climate action is consistent across all tourism.
• Share information on Tourism Declares...
• Work in collaboration with other signatories of TD and the Glasgow Declaration.

The B Corp is a stringent assessment that certifies any business that performs well in governance, in how it treats its workers, its impact on the community, its impact on the environment, on its customers. Recertification is required every three years, and companies are encouraged to continue the B Impact Assessment over this time.

A voluntary certification awarded to sustainability around beaches, marinas and tourism boats. Environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria must be met to connect people to their surroundings. A permanent display of information relevant to surrounding biodiversity, ecosystems and environment must be made.

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) for hotels and accommodation (buildings). This is an independent licensed assessment that uses scientifically-based sustainability metrics and indices to evaluate the procurement, design, construction and operation of a development, focusing on the following categories: Energy, land use and ecology, water, health and wellbeing, pollution, transport, materials, waste, and management. Each category focuses on reduced carbon emissions, low impact design, adaptation to climate change, ecological value and biodiversity protection.

EarthCheck offers globally-recognised certification for tourism businesses, hotels, destinations, governments, building designers, marine parks and more. Certification programmes are science backed and determined by experts. Certification ranges from a ‘bronze’ benchmark to ‘master’. The Azores, Glasgow, Great Barrier Reef Islands, Melía Hotels are all EarthCheck certified.

A free tool to help reduce energy, water and carbon emissions for hotels and accommodation (buildings) in emerging markets. It certifies buildings based on their on-site energy savings and includes a certification for zero carbon.

Company has implemented an Environmental Management System that corresponds with the UK & Europe Eco Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) standards.

Awarded to cities over 100,000 habitants, to recognise and reward local action towards a transition to a greener, more sustainable future. Winning cities include their citizens in this transition, improve the urban environment, combat pollution and mitigate and prepare for more resilience to climate change.

Winners: Vilnius (2025), Valencia (2024), Tallinn (2023), Grenoble (2022), Lahti (2021), Lisbon (2020), Oslo (2019)

Awarded to smaller cities of 20,000 habitants. Winning cities include their citizens in this transition, improve the urban environment, combat pollution and mitigate and prepare for more resilience to climate change.

The primary goal is to assist the EU businesses, including the tourism sector, to become more resilient and adopt more environmentally friendly and robust practices. An early certification, launched in 1992.

A not-for-profit organisation born out of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), offering business support and certification approved by the GSTC. This is a separate entity to the Fair Trade label.

A certification programme offering something for destinations, municipalities, cities, islands, regions, protected areas. The ‘Green Destinations Standard’ is a GSTC-recognised set of criteria to measure, monitor and improve the sustainability policies and management of destinations.

The Green Globe includes 44 core criteria focused on areas such as sustainable management, social/economic, cultural heritage and the environment within tourism, including at airports, within operator enterprises and particularly hotels.

The Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism (GSST) is a national level certification programme for destinations and tourism businesses. Those considered must:

• Take on a comprehensive and developmental approach
• Be of a national character and be internationally comparable
• Be based on Global Destination Sustainability Index criteria (GDS)
• Be a tool for positioning and promotion

The GDS-Index is a destination-level programme that promotes scalable sustainability in alignment with the UN SDGs, GSTC and UNWTO One Planet Programme.

The Green Key certification system, aimed at tourism businesses, was launched in Denmark, adopted in France and is approved by the GSTC.

Offers organisations and businesses bronze, silver and gold certification in accordance with reducing energy use, saving water, efficient waste disposal, ethical buying, staying local and seasonal, minimising food miles, promoting biodiversity and adopting a sustainable outlook.

The GSTC criteria focus on sustainable management, socio-economic impacts, cultural preservation and environmental impacts, which enables businesses to be certified by a GSTC-accreditation. The GSTC logo is supplied to businesses who fulfil the criteria.

The 12 principles of HSB signals starting level efforts towards improving a hotel’s sustainability in energy, water, waste and emissions reductions, removing single use plastics in water bottles, straws and stirrers and using green products across the hotel, as well as bringing benefits to the community and reducing inequality.

Businesses that have implemented an Environmental Management System that is created by and aligns with the International Standardization Organization (ISO) 14001 regulations. The ISO EMS is available to implement across all businesses, not only in tourism.

Developed by the US Green Building Council, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the most widely-used building sustainability rating system. For hotels and accommodation (buildings): Assessed against areas such as energy and water efficiency, materials used, indoor air quality and awareness and education.

An international certification centred on ‘reduce, reuse and recycling’ of waste products and requires travel agencies to donate at least 1% of profit to conservation or humanitarian projects.

A training, management and certification initiative for tourism companies building a more sustainability-focused brand. It offers planning, reporting and B2B tools to assist companies measure, reduce, monitor and report impact, including carbon emissions, and prescribes environmental management system recommendations including ISO. There is also a focus on supply chain management. Used by operators such as Audley.