green tourism scheme scotland

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Sustainable & Responsible Tourism in Scotland

Find out what responsible travel means to Scotland and how you can plan and enjoy a responsible trip.

What is sustainable or responsible tourism?

Braewick Caravan & Campsite

Sustainable tourism is holidaying in an eco, green and environmentally friendly way.

Responsible tourism is considering the wider impact your trip could have on the country you're visiting, and the world.

Your choice to travel responsibly can help:

• protect the landscape
• boost the local economy
• and provide funding for new and innovative projects

Choosing a destination

Consider visiting during less popular times of year and discover places off the beaten track.

River Garry

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Popular Off-Season Destinations

Scotland is home to many iconic and famous landmarks and locations, which are really popular. If you want to visit them, consider travelling in quieter months in spring, autumn and winter. The weather is more changeable, but we still get plenty of sunshine and there are lots of outdoor activities that benefit from wind, rain or snow!

Canisp, Cul Mor and Cul Beag seen from Stac Pollaidh

Summer Hidden gems

If you are travelling during summer, why not consider visiting some lesser-known places this time? We've got plenty of ideas for places off the beaten track which will still give you an amazing experience.

Fraserburgh Beach

© Discover Fraserburgh / Damian Shields

Deciding how long to stay for

There are many benefits to staying longer - you can take your time, savour the experiences, and be more flexible with your plans. You can choose to come back again on a quieter day or have that extra travel time to go further.

Borders Railway

How you'll travel around

Scotland's public transport options are great for travelling sustainably around the country. There are electric cars, frequent train services, buses, coaches and a wide network of cycle and footpaths.

Things to do on holiday

Crafty Distillery, Newton Stewart

Find out about eco-friendly businesses in Scotland. We've got some great examples of how businesses are sustainable, and all you need to know about the Green Tourism business scheme.

Respect the landscape

You should always be respectful of the landscapes and communities you visit. We ask everyone to tread lightly and consider how their behaviour impacts each other and Scotland.

Scottish Outdoor Access Code

Explore Scotland's outdoor land responsibly by following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which applies to most land and inland water.

A Guide to Outdoor Safety in Scotland

Scotland's scenery can be stunning but also wild and rural. Be prepared with the correct clothing and equipment.

From Deep Time to Our Time

Filmed across the Cateran Ecomuseum, watch how the destination champions car-free holidays by using low-carbon ways to travel.

Dedicated conservation holidays

If you want to make a bigger contribution, you can choose to dedicate your holiday to looking after Scotland and learning more about responsibility.

Wild swimmers at Arbirlot Falls

© VisitScotland / Kate Abbey

Try a conservation or volunteering holiday where you can learn all about Scotland's landscapes, what you can do to help restore and protect them, and give back to communities in the process, all through eco-friendly tourism activities.

Coming soon

Inner Forth cycle route - Forth Bridges

© Inner Forth Futures/This Way Up Media

Inner Forth Bike Bus

Explore the wonderful landscape of the Inner Forth area by bus. The seasonal transport will be piloted for over two years and will run on Sundays between 21 April until the end of October in 2024 and again in 2025. It's also free of charge!

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How Scottish tourism is staying on track to a sustainable future 

The tourism industry is working withgovernment and communities to manage social and environmental impact

The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, launched at last year’s Cop26 conference, has inspired more than 500 travel-related businesses to sign up to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) initiative.

Set within the framework of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme, its goal is to increase sustainable consumption and production in the sector, ultimately halving emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050.

Of particular significance is the focus on five pathways: measure, decarbonise, regenerate, collaborate and finance – all in a spirit of collaboration.

It’s a mission statement being heard loud and clear in Scotland, with the national tourist board VisitScotland in the vanguard for positive change.

“Sustainable tourism is about maximising the positive impacts of tourism, such as how it creates jobs, sustains communities and enriches our wellbeing, while minimising its negative impacts, including challenges such as over-tourism and emissions,” says Malcolm Roughead, VisitScotland’s chief executive.

“The principle of responsible tourism is that we, the tourism and events industry, work with government, communities and visitors to manage that economic, social and environmental impact and respond together.”

According to Roughead, Scotland’s communities and natural and cultural heritage are central to the country’s attractiveness as a destination. He believes visitors are increasingly mindful of their impact on the world, socially and environmentally, which makes it imperative for the tourism industry to recognise that tackling climate change can not only reduce costs in the longterm and build resilience, but also help meet increasing consumer demand for responsible and sustainably focused businesses.

VisitScotland’s vision is for Scotland to develop as one of the world’s most economically, environmentally and socially sustainable destinations. There are, however, significant obstacles to overcome.

“The current crisis around the cost of living is a major challenge for tourism in the short term,” notes Roughead. “However, we’ve found behaviour change and affordability are among the main obstacles to overcome when looking at sustainable practices.

“Our own research shows there is a great deal of agreement on the importance of tackling climate change but limited willingness when it comes to changing future travel behaviours. Around two thirds of Scots say they’ll try to reduce energy consumption while on holiday, while less than a third feel green credentials are important when choosing accommodation.”

Roughead believes the industry needs to make it easier for visitors to choose more sustainable options, so this becomes the norm and isn’t something they must seek out. “The industry, we know, is aware of this and responsible tourism is a key focus. Our own research last year revealed this, with eight in ten businesses ensuring they operate as sustainably as possible, with seven in ten prioritising a reduction in their carbon footprint.”

VisitScotland has long been an advocate for regional and seasonal spread of visitors, promoting Scotland as a year-round destination and highlighting lesser-known destinations to ease pressure on ‘honey pot’ areas.

It manages the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government to improve the visitor experience in rural areas facing pressure on infrastructure or negative impacts due to rising visitor numbers. To date, £14.5 million has been awarded to 60 projects across Scotland, including Doune Castle, Glenfinnan Viaduct and parts of the Fife Coastal Path.

Through Destination Net Zero, a partnership programme between VisitScotland and Scotland’s Enterprise agencies, it is also engaging directly with the industry on transitioning to net zero.

Despite such initiatives, Roughead admits more can be done by tourism businesses.

“Our research shows attractions and activity providers are making progress on moves to become net zero but we must acknowledge there are barriers. For many it comes down to cost, the practical constraints to make changes to a property and the limitations of the business.

“Our sustainable fact sheets offer businesses advice and guidance to make changes that could bring both financial and environmental benefits down the line. Businesses can also consider joining a green scheme by organisations such as Green Tourism or Green Key.”

With challenges come opportunities and Roughead is personally optimistic the future of tourism in Scotland can be both successful and sustainable. “Absolutely! There’s no doubt tourism is going through one of the most challenging times in living memory, however the industry is resilient and there is a general acceptance we all have a duty of care to protect the natural, social and cultural assets so vital to Scotland’s brand and its future prosperity.

“There is a real opportunity now for both businesses and visitors. I firmly believe embracing responsible tourism and events makes our country a better place to live and visit. Scotland is recognised on the global stage as taking a leadership role on climate action in tourism and that means continuing to play a leading role in the development of Scotland as a globally recognised responsible destination.”

Four sectors making their mark

Going forrit.

Dominic Ryan

Related posts, scaling up green hydrogen to fuel the highlands   , fuelled by a passion for clean energy , rewilding can boost profits as well as biodiversity , home, work, play … and net zero  , ‘nothing can change without putting nature at the heart’ , non-recyclable waste plastic: the road surface material of the future .

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Responsible tourism

Find information on responsible tourism in Scotland, and how you can make your business more sustainable.

Industry guidance

What is responsible tourism.

Responsible tourism is all about a collaborative approach for re-building and growing the value of tourism. It does so in a way that makes better places for people to live and visit in every corner of Scotland. It maximises the positive benefits of tourism for everyone. This includes host communities and the environment.

In this section

Accessible and inclusive tourism.

Find advice and resources to help your business provide all visitors a great experience in Scotland.

Climate change in Scotland

Browse our helpful introduction to climate change and how it will impact tourism in Scotland.

Green certification schemes for tourism businesses

Discover why your tourism business should join a green certification scheme and what schemes are available.

Reduce your climate impact guide

Understand how your business can reduce emissions with our simple climate impact guide that includes our easy-to-use, free climate action workbook.

Responsible visitor industry guide

Browse resources to let visitors have a responsible and memorable experience of enjoying the outdoors.

What is VisitScotland's approach to responsible tourism?

Our approach to developing responsible tourism in Scotland focuses on four priority areas:

• supporting Scotland’s transition   to a low carbon economy
• ensuring tourism and events in Scotland are inclusive
• ensuring tourism and events contribute to thriving communities
• supporting the protection and considerate enjoyment of Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage

Why is responsible tourism important?

Tourism is a force for positive change. It can sustain communities and the economy by:

• creating jobs
• tackling depopulation
• improving the well-being of everyone who experiences it

We have a duty of care to protect our assets for the future. These are so vital to Scotland’s brand and make the country so unique. A responsible approach to tourism helps:

• Scotland’s world-famous beauty and communities thrive
• good growth while minimising any negative impacts

Responsible tourism has a wide range of benefits:

• providing all visitors with enriching and memorable quality experiences
• building business resilience and supporting their success
• benefiting and enhancing our communities and the environment

You might also be interested in

Sustainable and accessible events.

Find out how to deliver a sustainable and accessible event in Scotland, using our useful guides.

Our sustainability policy

The measures we take to protect and enhance Scotland's environment, society and culture

Latest responsible tourism news

Rural and Environment

Sustainable tourism.

September 19, 2020 by Fergus Ewing MSP No Comments | Category Environment

Despite this, as we continue to navigate our way through this crisis and work towards recovery, the aim for our tourism industry to be world leading has not diminished.

Recovery will not be a short and easy task. At the forefront of our ambition is the aim that our recovery is as safe and strong as possible – ensuring the sustainability of jobs in the sector. Equally, we feel it is absolutely necessary that the rebuild is environmentally friendly.

We are in the process of transitioning to a net-zero emissions country – for the benefit of our environment, our people, and our prosperity. It must be said that to reach net-zero it is a collective responsibility of everyone in Scotland.

Whilst the majority of people support these aims we have seen some examples of poor behaviour and a lack of understanding of how to respect the environment this summer. We are working on a comprehensive range of policies and plans that will tackle ‘dirty camping’ and wider issues such as anti-social behaviour that has been shown by a small minority. We want everyone to be able to enjoy our beautiful country and for it to be as accessible as possible.

The strategy looks for us to grow the value and positively enhance the benefits of sustainable tourism across Scotland by delivering the very best for our visitors, our businesses, our people, our communities and our environment.

Scotland has some of the most wonderful scenery and landscapes in the world – and we know people come from far and wide to experience. Recent global estimates show that tourism is approximately responsible for eight percent of carbon emissions. It is therefore imperative that we reimagine a tourism sector that puts the environment at the top of our priorities.

Our strong commitment to reaching net-zero has helped us gain the respect globally for our ambition and leadership on climate change.

Sustainable tourism is also essential to our local communities – helping support local businesses whether that be restaurants, bars, museums, art galleries amongst others.

Arbroath Abbey is an excellent example of sustainable tourism in Scotland, the attraction site is a gold member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme – which assesses waste management, effectiveness of use of energy and biodiversity and procurement.

We have already committed £9 million to the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund – this will in turn help protect our treasured, vulnerable rural visitor sites by supporting sustainable developments.

One development that has benefited from the fund already is the Old Man of Storr on Skye. We granted almost £185,000 to enhance visitor access and help protect the iconic landscape.

Sustainable, inclusive growth is about increased value for all and whilst it won’t be as straightforward as we’d hope – we are determined to use our new tourism strategy as a force to deliver that growth.

Tags: climate week , environment , Scottish Government , tourism

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The Highland landscape that surrounds Cruachan Power Station is integral to how it runs and maintaining the health of the land, the wildlife and biodiversity of the area is of upmost importance.

For the past seven years, an ecologist has conducted surveys of the site in support of the Biodiversity Action Plan, which covers the area from the Visitor Centre to the dam. The area has operated a Biodiversity Plan since 2005, to help wildlife on its landholdings. It promotes habitats and species, and sets out a timetable for improvement measures.

View Cruachan Power Station’s Biodiversity Survey 2022 here .

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Cruachan Visitor Centre is proud to have been awarded the Gold Award for Green Tourism in 2019.

The largest sustainable certification programme of its kind, a Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) award recognises places to stay and visit that take action to support the local area and wider environment.

Businesses that meet the standard for a GTBS award receive a Bronze, Silver, or Gold award based on their level of achievement. Businesses are assessed on areas including Management and Marketing, Social Involvement and Communication, Energy, Water, Purchasing, Waste, Travel, Natural and Cultural Heritage and Innovation.

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Cruachan Visitor Centre is committed to providing excellent service whilst protecting the environment. A symbol of this commitment is our membership of the Green Tourism Business Scheme. This scheme provides accreditation and encouragement for tourism businesses to reduce the environmental impact of their activities. By encouraging sustainable practices it ensures the continued enjoyment of Scotland for future generations.

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25 Tips For Sustainable Travel In Scotland

Categories Scotland , Scotland Guides , Sustainable Travel

Sustainable tourism in Scotland is a passion of mine. When I hiked the  Scottish National Trail  I fell head over heels for Scotland’s landscape and I made a promise to myself to protect it fiercely. 

Table of Contents

Now that tourism is reopening in Scotland [Hallelujah!], sustainable tourism is more important now than ever. Everyone is itching to travel around Scotland, and overtourism in Scotland is sure to make a return.

One of the most effective tips for protecting Scotland’s environment is not to travel here at all- however this isn’t realistic. I’d love for everyone to experience Scotland’s awe-inspiring landscapes, welcoming hospitality and have a dram with the lovely locals. It’s a tough one when the answer to a more sustainable planet is to travel less, when travel for many of us is our passion and reason for being. Especially after being cooped up for so long!

But there is good news: we lessen our impact on Scotland and still enjoy her bonnie hills, bustling cities and colourful coastline, IF you implement as many of these tips for sustainable travel in Scotland as possible.

Let’s make a vow to enjoy Scotland while helping to protect the environment and supporting local communities!

What is Sustainable Tourism? Sustainable essentially means travelling in a way that minimizes harm to the environment, local communities, and wildlife. To me, sustainable tourism is also about making an effort to leave a destination in a better way than you found it. My tips in this article will help you to achieve just that!

25 Sustainable Tourism in Scotland Tips

1. Leave no trace

I’m starting with a fairly obvious one, but it needs to be said.

Scotland is generous when it comes to its freedom. Scotland has a ‘freedom to roam’ law in place which means everyone in Scotland has legal access to land and inland water throughout Scotland.

This is great for hikers and outdoor lovers in Scotland; you can walk and wild camp nearly anywhere. Most people may think they’re abiding by the ‘leave no trace’ principle, however many are not adhering to this law without realising it. If you’re hiking in Scotland in a popular area, stick to the existing paths. If you go off-piste, this can cause damage to the ecosystems that surround the trail.

However, if you’re hiking in a pristine area, such as in the north-west Highlands, disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and paths and avoid areas that are starting to suffer from impact.

2. Avoid tourist hotspots

I’ve written a blog post about  overtourism in Scotland ; the places to avoid and the places to go instead, so make sure you give that a read. The main places that suffer from overtourism is Edinburgh and the Isle of Skye. There are honestly SO many other places that are just as nice, if not better, so why not go  off the beaten path in Scotland  instead?

3. Visit in the shoulder or off-season

A more even spread of visitors reduces the pressure on Scotland’s environment, popular ancient attractions, and communities. Scotland is heaving with tourists during July and August, so  plan your trip to Scotland  between October and April once [international travel reopens] if you can. These are quiet times for small businesses who really need the cash flow. As a bonus- there are less tourists around and you’ll have a better opportunity to mingle with the locals!

Read more: My favourite autumn breaks in Scotland

Scotland is just as glorious in the shoulder seasons: the Scottish Highlands in March

4. Reduce the number of flights you take where possible

If you’re flying to Scotland, try to book the most direct flight possible. Doing so generates fewer greenhouse gases per journey, as take-off and landing uses more fuel than when the plane is in the air. Also research  which airlines currently have the greenest policies  (research everything from the type of fuel they use to their on-board plastic policies).

5. Pack lightly when you fly

Finnair claims  it could save between 1-2 million kilograms of fuel per year if passengers packed their luggage 1 kilogram lighter every time they fly! The same goes for all airlines: pack lighter, travel more economically. 

Read More: 50 Travel Tips for Scotland

6. Bring these eco-friendly travel products with you

When  packing for a trip to Scotland  I always recommend bringing the following:

• reusable straws  [with a cleaning pipe]
• a  collapsible water bottle
• collapsible coffee mug [for takeaway coffee/hot wine at the winter markets]
• reusable bags  [or a good quality  hiking backpack ].

You’ll use less plastic, and save money on buying bags to carry your groceries and shopping [you have to purchase all carry bags in Scotland].

Enjoying a cup of tea in one of my favourite travel mugs- with views of Loch Ness!

7. Stay in eco-friendly accommodation

Look for accommodation that utilises solar power, rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient lighting and serves meals made from locally sourced ingredients.

Some of my recommendations for eco stays include:

• JustB City Retreat  in Edinburgh
• The Lazy Duck Lodge  in Nethy Bridge
• Eagle Brae  in Struy [Scottish Highlands]
• Loch Ossian Youth Hostel  in Corrour [Rannoch Moor]

Hanging out at Loch Ossian Youth Hostel . Photo by Kathi Kamleitner

8. Help out your hosts

Always make sure that when you’re not in your accommodation you turn the lights, heating and television off. If you’re staying in a hotel or bed and breakfast reuse your towels by hanging them up so the cleaners won’t take them away for washing. Leaving the ‘do not disturb’ hanger on your door also discourages cleaners, which will save on energy and usage of cleaning products. Let’s face it- your toilet doesn’t need to be cleaned every day!

9. Shop locally

Scotland has some truly wonderful local craft, clothing and book stores. Avoid chain retail stores on the high street and shop at independently owned stores or markets instead. You’ll pick up gifts that are unique and hand-made by local Scottish folk, which is SO much more special. Markets are also a popular place to pick up environmentally friendly products. Win-win.

10. Eat at eco-friendly restaurants

If you’re eating out, go to independent restaurants that source their ingredients locally. You can usually find restaurants that do this by doing a quick scan of their website. Most sustainable restaurants in Scotland will state on their website if they use organic and/or local ingredients. 

Consuming less meat and animal products will also benefit the environment. I’m not vegan, however I have been to some fantastic vegan restaurants in Scotland. To find vegan restaurants the  Happy Cow  website and app is fantastic. And if you’re eating out in Edinburgh, check out the blog  Vegan Edinburgh  for inspiration. 

Restaurants with yummy vegan options I personally recommend include:

• Harmonium  in Leith, Edinburgh
• Real Food Cafe  in Tyndrum [the vegan haggis tastes better than actual haggis!]
• Black Isle Bar  in Inverness
• Stacks Coffee House & Bistro  at John O’Groats
• The Storehouse  in Dingwall

The Storehouse in Dingwall

11. Travel with eco-friendly tour companies

Do your research on eco-friendly tour companies and try to book tours with small, local businesses where possible.  Airbnb Experiences  is a good place to find locals who offer unique tours, including many walking and photography tours.  Rabbies  is an eco-conscious tour provider I recommend for single and multi-day small group tours.

12. Look for businesses that have Green Tourism certification

The Green Tourism scheme is an accreditation organisation in Scotland which hands out Bronze, Silver and Gold awards to businesses that are making an effort towards a more sustainable Scotland. Businesses that apply are assessed against a set of criteria, including energy and water usage, waste management, biodiversity, involvement in the community and more. You will know that businesses with these awards are doing their utmost for a sustainable Scotland- so book your tour, accommodation, lunch date etc with them! You can search for businesses in Scotland that have been awarded a Green Tourism award  here .

13. Ask businesses in Scotland to limit their plastic use

If you do see a business in Scotland that appears to be using too much plastic, don’t be afraid to have a chat with whoever is in charge or leave a feedback card letting them know they could be doing things more economically. When leaving a Google review, politely suggest how they could be more eco-friendly. A lot of businesses are still catching on to eco-tourism, so why not give them a polite shove in the right direction?

14. Try to walk/cycle everywhere

Whenever the Haggis and I travel to a new city, we walk everywhere. It’s a great opportunity to discover local gems such as neighbourhoods, shops, cafes and pubs- and we have discovered many interesting places by travelling this way. Cities in Scotland such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Dundee are easily accessible on foot.

The Scottish Government has put a lot of funding into improving cycle routes in the country resulting in some fantastic cycle paths throughout Scotland . There are a few canal towpaths that connect cities and towns that you can easily walk or cycle. You can walk or cycle from Edinburgh to Glasgow [or vice versa] along the Union canal and the Forth & Clyde. You can also walk/cycle between Inverness and Corpach [near Fort William] along the Caledonian Canal.

15. Use public transport where possible

When you can’t walk or cycle, using public transport versus hiring a car is far better for the environment. Getting from Edinburgh to Glasgow [and vice versa] is super easy on the train, and the bus systems are great in these cities and throughout Scotland. I recommend riding the West Highland Line to see some of Scotland’s most spectacular terrain!

The Glenfinnan Viaduct: one of the highlights of the West Highland Line

16. Hire a hybrid or electric car

If you want to do a road trip around Scotland, hire a hybrid or electric vehicle. They use less fuel and produce fewer carbon emissions than your average car.  Avis  is one company that hires out electric and hybrid cars.

17. Slow down

Reducing your transportation usage is another great way to look after the environment. It’s tempting to whip around Scotland to see and experience as much as possible, however, in my super honest opinion: Scotland is not a country you want to rush around. Take a breath, slow down and get to know the area you’re staying in. Choose quality time over the quantity of activities ticked off the bucket list.

18. Know your codes

Spending time outdoors? Check out the  Scottish Outdoor Access Code  before you head outside. Planning on spending a night in a bothy? Read up on the  Bothy Code  beforehand.

Read the Scottish Outdoor Access Code before heading out hiking in Scotland

19. Pick up rubbish when out walking

Campers and walkers leaving litter behind has escalated during lockdown with more and more people heading outside. When the Haggis and I go walking we always make an effort to pick up at least three pieces of litter we see lying on the ground. While it’s not our rubbish, it’s still our responsibility to protect our home. It’s actually turned into a fun game for us! Make sure you wear gloves and take a bag you can put the rubbish into. Just imagine how much cleaner Scotland would be if everyone picked up a few pieces of litter every time they went for a walk!

20. Pick up after yer dug!

For a while I was mystified at the amount of dog poop bags I would see on my daily walks and when out hiking. Why would people bother bagging it, just to leave it behind? Wouldn’t that slow down the degradation process? Is there a Scottish poo fairy that I didn’t know about?

Turns out some people are just lazy and will bag their doggy poo to come back for it later…or not at all. Don’t be that person- carry it with you and dispose of it correctly. I recommend purchasing a  dicky bag – a small machine washable bag you can place your bagged poo in that will contain the odour. Or at the very least, flick the poo into the undergrowth with a stick so it’s out of the way.

21. Avoid animal tourism unless you’re sure they’re ethical

No one should be using animals to make a profit, and by supporting these businesses you are supporting unethical animal practices. Only visit a paid animal attraction in Scotland if you are 100% sure it is ethical. But if you’re unsure, why not opt to see Scotland’s wild animals in their natural habitat instead? Scotland has a diverse range of wildlife, especially birdlife. Head to the  Isle of May  or  Handa Island  to see puffins and other sea cliff nesting birds, or explore the  Birds of Prey Trail  in the Outer Hebrides and see the incredible birdlife Scotland has to offer!

Don’t visit animal attractions; watch animals in their natural habitat from a safe distance

22. Do not feed wild animals

While the idea of feeding wild deer in the Scottish Highlands may sound really cool, it is highly unethical and can cause digestive upset and other health issues for animals. It’s also dangerous to get that close to wildlife- because they are just that: wild. Wild deer, especially stags, can charge if they feel threatened. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t like to be on the receiving end of a head butt from a wild stag! Feeding wild animals also encourages them to seek out humans for food, leading them out of their natural environments which can cause higher mortality on roads.

23. Photograph brochures and flyers

If you’re visiting  Edinburgh during the August festivals , you’ll be handed all kinds of flyers from people promoting shows. It’s far better to photograph a flyer and hand it back to be reused rather than eventually throwing the flyer away.

24. Turn off your flash

Many museums, castles and palaces in Scotland [such as Holyrood Palace] won’t let you photograph artwork or artifacts they have on display. Why? Well, light is known to cause damage to artwork, and if light can damage artwork, imagine what a flash on a camera can do! Many pieces of art and artifacts in Scotland are so old and delicate that they won’t survive ignorant tourists wanting to get a snap for the ‘gram. Don’t be that kind of tourist; ask a staff member if you are unsure if you can take photos or not. 

25. Explore and help protect Scotland’s historic monuments

I’ve been an  Historic Scotland member  for a couple of years now, and aside from getting free entry to over 70 historic sites in Scotland, what I love is that the money from my membership goes toward restoring these ancient monuments. If you’re a tourist you can purchase a 7 or 14-day Explorer pass but if you’re a resident I highly recommend signing up for an annual membership. The membership is around £4 per month, and not only have I gotten my money’s worth, I feel good that I am helping to protect Scotland’s history.

I hope this list has given you a few ideas on how you can be a more responsible traveller in Scotland. Have you learned something from this list? If you have a tip for sustainable travel in Scotland drop it in the comments below. I’m always interested to learn new tips on sustainable travel. Did you spot an error? Let me know- I’m always looking to improve.

Do you care about sustainable tourism in Scotland too? Make sure you share this post!

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jobsalertblog

Saturday 29th of August 2020

very nice thanks so much for sharing

Monday 6th of July 2020

Great job, love the personal touch!

Yvette Webster

Tuesday 7th of July 2020

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Green accreditation and awards

There is growing pressure to demonstrate verifiable green credentials from both visitors and your B2B clients in the public and private sector. 

There are tourism specific green schemes, which are increasingly well known by visitors including:

• Green Tourism Business Scheme The Green Tourism certification supports businesses to be more sustainable and provides a credible and independent way of demonstrating your sustainable tourism commitment. Founded in Scotland, it’s a globally recognised scheme with 2000 members.  Their GreenCheck Quiz will determine if your business is already eligible for a Green Tourism award.  It only takes 10 minutes and you get an instant result!  For more information and to receive an application pack, please email  [email protected] or call 01738 632162. 
• Green Key is run by Keep Scotland Beautiful and allows your business to meet global standards set by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and recognised by the UN WTO.    There are numerous free resources and training from partner organisations which offer advice, funding opportunities and skills development for staff across sustainability, inclusivity and community engagement.

VIBES award :   

The VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards reward and recognise organisations that have demonstrated significant business benefits from good environmental practice. In the year that COP26 is coming to Glasgow, the 2021 Awards will also celebrate the actions and achievements of businesses towards reaching net-zero carbon emissions.

Case study: Dundonald Links, Ayrshire  

Environmental Management Systems

Many corporates now demand proof that all their suppliers have an externally verified environmental management system (EMS) in place. The international standards for EMS are well explained on the NetRegs site and point towards ISO 14001 – the internationally recognised standard. There is also a free online tool that businesses can use confidentially to assess their environmental (legal) compliance around Air, Water, Waste, Materials and equipment, Hazardous substances and Packaging at Environmental Self-Assessment tool

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Green Tourism awards

Our staffed Historic Scotland properties hold an impressive 37 Green Tourism gold awards and 31 silver awards.

Sustainability is at the heart of all that Historic Environment Scotland does. We conserve and maintain monuments across Scotland to ensure they will be enjoyed by future generations.

To see how you can help us in our aims, read our guidance on responsible visiting.

Download our Green Tourism Visitor Charter.

Green Tourism scheme

Most of our staffed sites are assessed under the Green Tourism scheme , the leading sustainable tourism certification scheme in the UK.

Of the 68 Historic Scotland properties individually assessed under the scheme, 37 were given gold awards and 31 were awarded silver. 

The scheme assesses members against a rigorous set of criteria. The range of areas examined includes:

• waste management
• procurement 
• biodiversity

We undertake sustainable practice where possible across all activities in our estate. We also encourage visitors to use public transport to reach Historic Scotland properties where possible.

A green visitor file is available at each of our staffed sites. This is full of useful information to help visitors make the most of the local environment.

The file may contain details about:

• local cycle routes
• farmers’ markets
• local wildlife 
• other Green Tourism members nearby

Visitors can comment on our environmental efforts using the feedback form provided in the file.

Green Tourism in Scotland

• Testimonials
• Isle of Harris walks
• Wildlife on the Isle of Harris – so much to see
• Winter offer
• Autumn offer
• Christmas and New Year offer
• Availability and Booking

Maintaining our unspoilt landscape clean and pristine is at the heart of everything Blue Reef Cottages do

Eco-friendly holidays in Scotland

Maintaining our unspoilt landscape clean and pristine is at the heart of everything Blue Reef Cottages do. Our environment is what keeps people coming back year after year. As a result, we devote ourselves to keeping it in perfect condition. We do this by minimising the environmental impact of our activities. A symbol of this commitment is our membership of the Scottish Tourist Board’s Green Tourism Business Scheme. This scheme provides accreditation and encouragement for tourism businesses to reduce the environmental impact of their activities. So by encouraging sustainable practice and green tourism in Scotland, it ensures the continued enjoyment of the environment on Harris for future generations.

Green activities

The whole of the Isle of Harris is designated as a National Scenic Area and is administered by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). We received the Gold Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme in 2003, cementing our commitment to be an environmentally-friendly business.

At Blue Reef eco holiday cottages in Scotland, our Green activities include:

• recycling waste
• using low energy light bulbs
• using local, fair trade and environmentally friendly cleaning products
• Providing complimentary toiletries by Ishga, a sustainable skincare company which uses nutrient-rich Hebridean seaweed

We also encourage our guests to use local suppliers who source locally and seasonally available foods. All this contributes to keeping money within the local economy and supports local businesses.

Turf covers the roof of both eco cottages. These provide a good wildlife habitat where ‘Machair’ flowers can be seen growing during the summer months. A green roof can absorb up to 75% of the rainwater that falls on it. Furthermore, the insulating properties of a turf roof enable it to effectively regulate the temperature inside the cottages.

Wind Turbine/Air Source

In October 2011 we installed two 5kW wind turbines at the base of the hill nearby. One serves the house and one serves the cottages. They are currently producing sufficient energy for all three properties.

The Evance R9000 5kW wind turbine has been engineered to ensure maximum energy yield by generating energy at low wind speeds, and by running continuously and safely at high wind speeds. The design results in a modern and visually pleasing wind turbine which has a minimum visual impact on its surroundings.

Green tourism in Scotland should be a way of life, rather than an exception. So you can be assured that when you stay with us, you will leave little impact on the beautiful island surroundings that we know you will come to love and cherish.

Green Tourism

The environmental policy at The Scotch Whisky Experience

As part of our commitment to sustainability and green tourism, we are assessed under the Green Tourism scheme, the leading sustainable tourism certification scheme in the UK. This covers People (health & wellbeing, community, equality and diversity) , Place (experiences, food & drink and biodiversity) and Planet (energy, waste, water, carbon and chemicals).  We are delighted to hold a Gold award and are working hard to make positive actions every day to do more across all of these goals.

Environmental policy

We are on a journey to become more environmentally friendly and putting sustainability at the core of all of our decisions and actions. In pursuit of our mission statement to provide a world class visitor attraction to promote the enjoyment of Scotch whisky, we know that our operations have an effect on the local, regional and global environment.

You can read our Environmental Policy   here , and discover more about how we implement our commitments through our company values.

We are committed to reducing our carbon by 15% by 2028.  This is reviewed annually with a view to pushing targets upwards.

Sustainable shopping

Our ultimate goal is to enable our customers to shop more sustainably. It is our aim to eliminate plastic. In order to achieve this, we have brought in a number of new suppliers, and will now always choose the most sustainable option above any other commercial considerations.  We consider how our suppliers package their product for delivery to us, the products themselves, and how we, in turn, package the products for our customers.

We also give our customers the tools to make an informed choice when selecting their gifts and souvenirs from us. We have introduced new “green signage” indicating that a product is sustainable, and “blue signage” indicating that the product is made here in Scotland.

Find out more about what our retail team have been up to behind the scenes to make our shop become a more Sustainable Shopping Destination on our recent blog.

Sustainable Events

The Scotch Whisky Experience has a variety of reception rooms catering for up to 150 delegates.

We are working hard to make positive changes in our Events business. Some of the things we do are listed below:

• Tap water is now used in recycled glass bottles instead of bottled water for our meetings and events delegates.
• White boards are offered in our meeting spaces which can be reused instead of flip charts so there is no paper wastage.
• We don’t offer stationery in our meeting rooms.
• We have removed all Christmas crackers and ‘one-use’ tableware from our Christmas events and now have wooden decorations which we will use year on year.
• We are located within the city centre with no parking available in close proximity. We know that the majority of our events delegates arrive to the city by bus/train or walk here.
• We source our food locally as much as we can. Please see our Scottish menus here .
• We are proud to serve Fairtrade, organic and Rainforest Alliance approved coffee.
• Our Scottish shortbread is from a local, family-owned producer which is a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative.
• Our high-quality recycling partnership means that where paper and glass usage during an event cannot be reduced, we will send it to be re-used or repurposed, supporting the local and circular economy.
• If a gift is requested for event delegates, we are delighted to source beautiful Scottish-made gifts, engraved with the conference or business logo.

We are delighted to showcase the best of Scotland’s sustainable and progressive whisky producers for delegates in order to finish their event or conference meetings in style. Our Sustainable Whisky Tasting takes guests on an incredible journey delving into Scotland’s national drink and the many ways in which it supports Scotland’s communities and environment.

To find out more about our Day Delegate Green Package , please click here .

What’s next

• PIR movement detectors will be installed in our 2 nd  floor toilets.
• Foam soap will be introduced which requires less water to be used than liquid soap.
• We plan to design insect and wildlife hotels to aid biodiversity. These amazing little power boxes can house up to 10 species. We would love to provide a home for our insect friends in the little outdoor space that we have.
• Move forward with our carbon reduction goals and actions for carbon balance.

Spring 2024

Staff with laptops without bags, have been provided with a laptop sleeve to protect their computer made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. These stylish bags are 100% recycled and recyclable, vegan friendly and cruelty free as well as BPA free. Find out more here.

We are delighted our new range of regional chocolate bars are now available for purchase in our shop from Quirky Chocolate! As well as tasting delicious and looking beautiful, their packaging is fully recyclable in domestic paper recycling bins. The tactile glassine paper used to protect the chocolate and outer paper wrappers are wrapped using FSC certified papers. FSC is the leader in sustainable forestry, FSC is trusted to protect forests for all, forever.

Winter 2023/24

In 2023 we began our first ever carbon offsetting project by partnering with the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Peatland Restoration Campaign. We donate annually for them to be able to protect and restore peatlands.  

As we all know, careful management of peat as a resource is so important to our industry, and we are proud to be able to support the Scottish Wildlife Trust in their important work. 

Have a read of this report for detailed information about the peatlands we support, and the core activities undertaken at each site.  See the report here.

We recently closed to the public so we could spruce up our entire building in an early ‘spring clean.’ Projects included replacing the fluorescent lights in the Whisky Collection with LED lights.  Compared to fluorescent bulbs, LED lights are up to 80% more efficient. Unlike fluorescent lights, LED lights convert 95% of their energy into light and only 5% is wasted as heat; this is all while still using far less power to provide a strong and consistent output at a lower wattage.

We replaced traditional switches to PIR movement detectors in three of our store cupboards. We have also installed them in one of the two toilets on the top floor, the second will be installed shortly.

Summer 2023

From August 2023, we will be making a monthly donation to the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Protecting Peatlands project. This is part of our efforts to balance the carbon which is produced by our business. We are committed to reducing carbon every year and will continue to support this important work in this beautiful and rich Scottish ecosystem which is so closely connected to Scotch whisky and its culture.

We have renewed our contract with SSE, who have given us the guarantee that 100% of the energy comes from renewable sources. SSE supply our building from the ground up, taking in our tour, shop, events space and offices. Details can be found here.

In May we sent out a travel poll to staff. We are delighted to report that 91.5% of our staff either walk, cycle or use public transport to get to work here on Castlehill.

Spring 2023

New in our retail department are beautiful earrings, handmade using a recycled whisky bottle, porcelain, and sterling silver. These earrings have been created by the winner of 2023s ‘The Great Pottery Throw Down’ Lois Gunn, who is an artist, jeweller and ceramicist living and working in Kent, UK. The whisky bottle was supplied by The Scotch Whisky Experience and beautifully repurposed to create these unique earrings.

Winter 2022

Please see our sustainable shopping blog piece here for all that is new in our retail department! We have also updated what has been going on in our Events department above.

Autumn 2022

We have set up a new energy monitoring and management project allowing us to better understand our energy usage and make smart and tactical decisions to reduce both electricity and gas.

Through supplier engagement we have reduced the delivery packaging for lots of our shop and bar stock.  More of our food gift  suppliers have now moved to compostable or biodegradable packaging.

Summer 2022

Delighted to share that we now have our bubble wrap replacement, Hexcel wrap. All bottles and fragile goods purchased in-store or on our online whisky and gift shop will now be wrapped in Hexcel wrap, a 100% sustainable and recyclable material. A great step forward!

Our beautiful floral window boxes at the front of our building now have bee friendly plants! Our supplier, Fleurtations Plantscapes have done an amazing job with our request to create new bee friendly planting for summer! We are delighted to say we have indeed spotted a few bees buzzing around!

Spring 2022

Our retail team recently met with a new packaging company to discuss sustainable alternatives for our retail packaging solutions. The immediate priority is to replace bubble wrap and plastic postal bags for our online shop orders, with a longer-term goal to use only sustainable utilities going forward.

The team are also in discussion with one of our chocolate suppliers and we hope to replace the current plastic bag that is used with a bespoke box, and bio-based film inner. We are excited to be working with the supplier and hope to see mock up designs soon.

Autumn / Winter 2021

Our events and hospitality team have switched flip charts for white boards to save paper and help all our clients to undertake their  planning work at meetings with zero waste. Clickshare  technology in our beautiful  rooms , with cleverly hidden screens and tech, allow you to cast snaps of your white boards to the screen before wiping clear for the next topic. Little measures like this make a difference and will reduce our paper recycling from the department by 90% each year!

Our IT & Facilities department have had a pre-Christmas clear out and amnesty for any broken tech equipment around the building.  Working with the brilliant  CCL North Edinburgh  we are delighted that NOTHING will be sent to landfill, with repurposing, repairs and reconditioning.

We have introduced a new collection of upcycled gifts into our whisky and gift shop. Our supplier KAPDAA, the offcut company, is a UK-based textiles business that gives waste material a second lease of life. We had a pile of kilts which were no longer being worn by our staff and in partnership with KAPDAA we have repurposed these items, starting with a new line of notebooks made from the recycled kilts.

We are working on projects to reduce plastic throughout the business and audit all of our single use items.

We have signed up to the Refill app so that people know it’s not just the “water of life” that we serve, but we’ll also happily fill up water bottles to anyone who pops in.  (Bottles are strictly filled with water only, not whisky!)

Every week we’ll add a new distillery’s ecological and sustainability story to our  Distillery page  and share these great practices with our visitors and online audience.

Much more is also happening – too much to tell here!

Loch Assynt is a freshwater loch in Sutherland, located in The North West Highlands Geopark.

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Responsible Tourism

Visitscotland plays a lead role in the development of responsible tourism through taking direct action on issues under our control, as well as encouraging and supporting responsible tourism development through influencing and collaborating with industry, communities, destinations, visitors and strategic partners. there are four strands to our responsible tourism strategy for scotland:, support scotland’s transition to a low carbon economy, ensure tourism in scotland is inclusive, ensure tourism contributes to thriving communities, support the protection, and considerate enjoyment of scotland’s natural & cultural heritage, respecting nature and contributing to develop the local economy is important and a chance for many scottish businesses to create innovative and sustainable projects. responsible tourism has a wide range of benefits which scotland relies upon as a destination., visitscotland travel trade team has compiled various tools to help you create sustainable programmes with our dedicated itineraries and a list of suppliers that have been awarded green tourism and working hard to support the economy in connection with the environment. further inspiration can also be found in our consumer website  sustainable & responsible tourism in scotland ..

Responsible Itineraries

Visitscotland travel trade team has created a series of  responsible itineraries reflecting visitscotland’s commitment to the development of responsible tourism practices and a net zero sector, by protecting scotland’s natural assets now and for future generations. our inspirational itineraries will feature a variety of responsible experiences, including enjoy a walk in one of scotland natural reserves, explore a city with an electric bike or eat a delicious meal made from sustainable local produce..

Scottish Suppliers

A list of suppliers working with the travel trade is available on the travel trade site. check our comprehensive list of suppliers who have stepped forward and committed to special rates, discounts and commissions exclusively available for the travel trade. within our list of suppliers a special category has been created for those companies who have also developed responsible products and/or are part of the green tourism scheme..

Green Tourism Certification

Tackling climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing scottish tourism now. the green certification is a guarantee that the business you want to promote on your social  media channels or book as part of a trip you are planning for your clients is committed to the environment and community by increasing sustainable business practices. check our visitscotland corporate site to learn more about the  green tourism certification schemes  scottish businesses are applying to and the criteria a business needs to implement to officially become green certified..

Respect the Landscape

We’re asking visitors to show their commitment to preserve scotland’s natural assets and beauty for now and generations to come, tread lightly and consider how their behaviour impacts each other and scotland. your clients will be able to explore most of scotland’s outdoor land, but it is important to be safe and prepared with the correct clothing and equipment. please read and share our guide to safety outdoors   and learn how to  tread lightly in scotland ..

Responsible Tourism Toolkit

On visitscotland’s digital media library you can access our responsible tourism toolkit   where you can find a wealth of images and videos,  spanning from responsible businesses and best practices to outdoor activities and camping. please register to our digital media library for free and get access to a wide range of assets you can use to promote scotland responsibly..

Inclusive and Accessible

Scotland is a naturally welcoming country. inclusive tourism ensures that all visitors can have a great experience without barriers. on the travel trade website you can find a list of suppliers  working with travel trade that categorise as accessible and inclusive. more on accessible holidays  can be found on our consumer website where you can browse further ideas and detailed access information on attractions, activities, food & drink and places to stay across scotland., sign up to our visitscotland travel trade enewsletter, sign up now to receive inspirational information about scotland, product updates, events and webinar invites, all from visitscotland and relevant to your market. by signing up you are indicating your consent to receiving our e-newsletter. you can unsubscribe at any time. we will also use your details in accordance with our privacy policy. view our privacy policy ..

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Shining a light on the green and gorgeous

What is  green travel?

• Jul 2, 2019

Green Tourism

Green Tourism (was formerly known as The Green Tourism Business Scheme - GTBS) is a national sustainable tourism grading scheme in the UK that has been endorsed by VisitEngland, VisitScotland and VisitWales and has been validated by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism since 2008. 

Operated by a not-for-profit organisation, Green Business, there are over 2,300 GTBS members throughout the UK and Ireland. 

Businesses are graded by qualified environmental assessors and can benefit from significant marketing advantage and reduced running costs of up to 20%.

Green Traveller has visited and filmed over 100 Green Tourism graded businesses in the UK, writing, photographing and filming the businesses as part of our Green Travel Guides series.

Here's a video that explains how video can be used to to promote green tourism businesses:

More information about how it works and all its members, see green-tourism.com/members

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• Advice Topics

Green Certification, Accreditation, and Standardisation

• Last updated: January 12th 2024

Introduction

A significant factor in museums becoming more sustainable is reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, their “carbon footprint”. There are many methods and tools to help museums do this. Including through the Museum Accreditation scheme, training, certification, and standardisation schemes. This guide highlights some of the options available to museums.

Green Tourism Scheme

Green Tourism is an awards certification programme that aims to recognise tourism businesses which have made a commitment to or actively working to becoming more sustainable. Their aim is to promote a greener, cleaner environment for people, places and our planet.

Green Tourism highlight five top reasons for joining:  

• Green Tourism highlight five top reasons for joining:
• Gain independent certification that’s respected by the customer
• Achieve distinct market advantage to attract leisure or business spend
• Build your brand with Green Tourism’s monthly campaigns
• Stand out from competitors
• Access bespoke action plan to improve and save costs.

They offer advice and guidance on issues including:

• Reducing energy use
• Saving water
• Efficient & eco-friendly waste disposal
• Ethical buying
• Staying local & seasonal
• Minimising food miles
• Promoting biodiversity
• Adopting a smart, sustainable outlook from top to bottom.

Different levels of certification are available. Progression is possible and encouraged to stimulate improvement in operations. Annual fees are associated with this scheme and are dependent on the size and type of your organisation. Museums are categorised in the “Visitor Attraction, Hostels and other Tourism Business” section.  

Further information can be found on the Green Tourism website .

Green Key is an international voluntary organisation that award an eco-label to tourist organisations. Their work focuses on accommodation-based organisations but other attractions, including museums are included. To gain this certification, an organisation must demonstrate adherence to a set of criteria set by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

There is a lot of criteria needed for museums to gain Green Key certification. Some of these are labelled “Imperative”, which a museum must have. Others are optional “Guidelines” .

A summary of the areas of focus include:

• Staff involvement
• Environmental management
• Guest information
• Washing & Cleaning
• Food & Beverage
• Administration
• Indoor Environment
• Green Areas
• Green Activities
• Corporate Social Responsibility

Participating in the scheme for 2024 costs €750 annually. You are also required to cover the costs of your scheme audit in years one, two, and five.

Information about the application process can be found on the Green Key website .

Earth Check

Earth Check is a global organisation that focuses on certifying and advising the travel and tourism industry on sustainability and climate performance. Compared to other certification programs, Earth Check offers a broader range of services covering Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and sustainability issues. For museums interested in climate and sustainability, the key services are:

• Decarbonisation and Resilience – Ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and become more resilient to climate impacts.
• Zero Waste – Strategies to minimize your organization’s waste production.
• Climate Check – Assistance in developing a climate change strategy.
• Earth Check Certified – A certification program based on your environmental impact.
• Earth Check Evaluation – An entry-level program to assess an organization’s economic, social, and environmental impact.
• Event Check – A service to help organize, manage, verify, and market events as sustainably as possible.

The costs for each service vary based on the organisation’s type and size. For accurate quotes, you can contact Earth Check directly through their website.

Standardisation 

Recognised standards of environmental performance can help to improve your organisations sustainability efforts by aligning to set targets. These provide goals to aim for, internationally recognised certification and can help your organisation continuously improve and stay on top of its environmental impact

An organisation’s emissions are usually split into three areas:

• Scope 1 – These are direct emissions from things the organisation controls, like on-site energy use and emissions from their own vehicles.
• Scope 2 – These are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating, or cooling used by the organisation.
• Scope 3 – These are emissions from indirect actions related to the organisation’s operations, like supply chain, staff/volunteer travel, and anything else connected to the organisation but not directly controlled by it.

PAS 2060- Carbon Neutral Certification

PAS 2060 is the British Standards Institution (BSI) certification for carbon neutrality- for legitimate claims to be carbon neutral it’s expected an organisation is certified as PAS 2060. The term carbon neutral is defined as the sum of the greenhouse gas emissions (CO2e) produced by an organisation offset by carbon sinks and/or carbon credits.

It was set up in 2009 with the objective of increasing transparency of carbon neutrality claims by providing a common definition and recognised method of achieving carbon neutral status. There are several benchmarks and requirements that an organisation must reach to achieve this certification. These include:

• Carbon footprint measurements include 100% of Scope 1 and Scope 2 and all Scope 3 emissions that contribute more than 1% of the total footprint
• Develop a Carbon Management Plan containing a commitment to carbon neutrality and outline the timescale of reductions, specific targets, planned means of reduction and how residual emissions will be offset
• From one of the PAS 2060 approved schemes such as the Gold Standard, UK Woodland Carbon Code or Verified Carbon Standard credits for offsetting
• Genuinely additional- i.e., reductions that would not have happened anyway under a business-as-usual approach
• Verified by an independent third party to ensure reductions are not temporary, displaced or double counted
•   Access and buy International standards and regulatory info – British Standard Institute  
• Carbon neutral certification – The Carbon Trust  

More information can be found at PAS 2060 – Carbon Neutrality Standard and Certification – British Standard Institute  

ISO 14000 series: Environmental Management

ISO (International Organisations for Standardization) 14000 are a series of International Standards for environmental management. The aim of the series is to help organisations minimise how their operations negatively impact the environment, comply with applicable laws, regulations and other environment based requests and to continually improve the previous two issues.  

There are several different ISO’s in this series which may be of relevance to museums and their aims to become more sustainable, however the main one is ISO 14001. The most recent version was released in 2015 and is named “ISO 14001:2015”. This defines criteria for an environmental management system (EMS). It does not state requirements for environmental performance but rather maps out a framework that a company or organisation can follow to set up an effective EMS and focuses on areas such as procurement, storage, distribution etc with the aim of becoming more sustainable in day-to-day practices. If an organisation is following this standard, they can be certified as such.

An EMS such as ISO 14001 is comprised of the policies, processes, plans, practices and records that define the rules governing how an organisation interacts with the environment. Having one which is certified ISO 14001 demonstrates an adherence to an internationally recognised standard of sustainability and environmental care.

More information can be found on the ISO 14001:2015 webpage .

Your sustainability journey starts here

Take the first step to sustainability certification.

Take the first step to sustainability certification that works for your business. Sign up to Green Tourism or Green Meetings today and we’ll be with you all the way. Come with us….

The sign-up process is simple. First up, choose your certification. Click the appropriate link below to get your application going.

• Green Tourism 

Fill in the Green Tourism application form with your business and contact details.

Ideal for businesses aiming to enhance their green credentials. Find out more about how Green Tourism certification can benefit your business here

• Green Meetings 

Fill in the Green Meetings application form with your business and contact details.

The certification perfectly suited for venues committed to hosting sustainable events. Find out more about Green Meetings here

• Groups / multi-site businesses 

Fill in the Groups / Multi-Site Application form  with your business and contact details.

Integrated process, incorporating corporate actions and group reporting functionality. Find out more about how we can help your group here

Complete the application form with your business and contact information. Hit ‘submit’ and start your journey. Once we receive your application, our team will guide you through the next steps. We look forward to hearing from you.

Annual fees

Fees start at £13.13 +VAT / month / site and are the same for Green Tourism and Green Meetings based on the size of your business. Discounts are available if you choose to join both Green Tourism and Green Meetings and if you are a Group or multi-site business . See information about our fees .

Registration fees

Fees for registration are £75 +VAT / site.  This charge will be included in your first year’s fees. Discounts are available if you choose to join both Green Tourism and Green Meetings and if you are a Group or multi-site business .

Join today from as little as £13.13 + VAT / month*

*A registration fee of £75 +VAT is due in Year 1