Sustainable Tourism Partnership webinar: Guidelines for enabling climate friendly and resilient urban destinations
Developed within the framework of the Urban Agenda for the EU - Sustainable Tourism Partnership, these Guidelines offer a practical roadmap for cities and regions to plan and implement climate action in the tourism sector. They aim to bridge the gap between global climate commitments and local realities, helping destinations align their tourism policies with the EU Green Deal, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.
About the event
Tourism destinations across Europe are on the frontlines of climate change, facing rising temperatures, biodiversity loss, and pressure on local resources, while also being a key driver of emissions and environmental impacts. This webinar will showcase how urban destinations are taking concrete steps to measure, decarbonise, regenerate, collaborate, and finance climate-friendly tourism.
Through real-life examples and open dialogue, participants will gain insights into:
How to design and implement Climate Action Plans (CAPs) tailored to urban tourism;
Effective governance and monitoring tools to ensure measurable progress;
Innovative financing and collaborative mechanisms driving green transformation;
Local and regional success stories from across Europe that demonstrate how tourism can become a driver of resilience and regeneration.
The session will feature contributions from city representatives, tourism leaders, and EU-level experts, presenting tangible results from pilot destinations featured in the Guidelines.
Agenda
10.00 – 10.05 | Opening Remarks
Sustainable Tourism Partnership Coordinators
10.05 – 10.10 | Introducing Action 1
Josep Rodríguez, Head of Strategic Projects – Tourism Department, Barcelona Provincial Council
10.10 – 10.20 | Introducing the Guidelines for Enabling Climate-Friendly Urban Destinations
Nagore Uresandi Espinosa, Director, IN2destination Research & Consultancy in Tourism
10.20 – 11.10 | Destination Case Studies: From Vision to Action
Moderated by Nagore Uresandi Espinosa
Measure: Valencia, Spain – Jaume Mata, Sustainability Manager, Visit Valencia
→ How the city became a pioneer in measuring and reducing tourism’s carbon footprint.Decarbonise: Dubrovnik, Croatia – Luna Polić Barović, Board President, Dubrovnik Development Agency
→ Managing traffic pressure and protecting cultural heritage through sustainable mobility.Regenerate: Lisbon, Portugal – Maria Telhado, Director, Municipal Chamber of Lisbon
→ Integrating climate resilience and urban regeneration into tourism planning.Collaborate: Climate HUB (NECSTouR) – Adriana Tramullas, Project Manager
→ Supporting European regions in developing coordinated climate action plans for tourism.Finance: Estonia – Ede Teinbas, Tourism Advisor, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communication
→ Mobilising financial tools to support tourism’s green transition.
11.10 – 11.25 | Discussion and Q&A
Interactive exchange with participants.
11.25 – 11.30 | Closing Remarks
Josep Rodríguez and Nagore Uresandi Espinosa
Why attend
This webinar will offer valuable insights for cities, policymakers, destination managers, and tourism professionals seeking to take action toward climate-neutral tourism. By connecting policy frameworks with operational tools and real-world case studies, it will help urban destinations translate climate ambition into measurable progress.
Join us to discover how collaborative, data-driven, and inclusive approaches can transform tourism into a driver of climate resilience, community well-being, and sustainable innovation.