New guidelines empower cities to build climate-resilient destinations
The Guidelines are the result of a collaborative effort led by the Provincial Council of Barcelona (Diputació de Barcelona), within Action 1 of the Partnership’s Action Plan. Over the past months, the team has worked closely with cities and regions across Europe, collecting practices, engaging experts and local departments, and aligning their findings with EU climate priorities.
A need for localised climate action in tourism
Tourism is both a contributor to and a victim of climate change. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and ecosystem degradation are already affecting seasonal tourism patterns, infrastructure, and visitor experiences, especially in coastal and rural areas. At the same time, emissions from transport and overconsumption of resources in tourism hotspots continue to put pressure on local environments.
Against this backdrop, the new Guidelines aim to support Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) and public authorities in taking structured and forward-looking steps toward climate mitigation and adaptation. The emphasis is on mainstreaming climate considerations across departments, rather than confining them to environmental units.
What makes these guidelines different
Unlike many top-down policy recommendations, the Guidelines are grounded in real-world practices from European destinations. Nine examples (from island regions to heritage cities) illustrate how local administrations are tackling tourism’s climate impact through planning, regulation, capacity-building, and cooperation across governance levels.
But the Guidelines go beyond showcasing. They provide a step-by-step methodology to help local authorities:
Evaluate their current climate vulnerabilities and tourism impacts
Identify priority areas for action
Engage stakeholders across sectors
Define long-term climate objectives for tourism
Integrate these objectives into local planning frameworks and tourism strategies.
The document encourages municipalities to set up dedicated task forces, ensure cross-departmental cooperation, and use available EU tools and funding mechanisms. Crucially, it emphasises that climate resilience is not an add-on, but an essential feature of sustainable destination development.
Looking ahead
The Guidelines will be complemented by an upcoming webinar (December 2, 2025) featuring case studies and expert insights from cities involved in the drafting process. It will be a unique opportunity for tourism and climate officers, urban planners, and local decision-makers to explore how to kick-start or improve their journey toward greener tourism.
This output also feeds into the broader efforts of the UAEU Sustainable Tourism Partnership to produce a consolidated and user-friendly package of tools and recommendations for destinations navigating the transition.
Stay tuned for further resources from the Partnership, and join the conversation on how tourism can not only reduce its footprint but become a driver of climate solutions.