Sustainability

Sustainably grow your tourism or events business with actionable green strategies.

Loch Affric

Scotland’s natural beauty, rich heritage, and vibrant communities make it a world-class destination — but with this comes the responsibility to protect and preserve it for future generations. As a tourism business, you play a vital role in shaping a more sustainable industry, ensuring visitors can enjoy Scotland’s wonders while minimising environmental impact and supporting local communities.

This hub provides practical guidance, resources, and actionable steps to help you integrate responsible tourism into your business. From reducing carbon emissions and managing waste to promoting cultural heritage and fostering positive visitor experiences, discover how you can contribute to a thriving, sustainable future for Scottish tourism.

New ways to improve your sustainability

Support course for businesses

Do you want help to make your business more sustainable? Our new Climate Action Accelerator Programme can guide you in how to reduce emissions and take practical action.

Sign up and be guided by our partner, Climate Spring Board at the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute to:

• Break down and understand jargon
• Navigate any potential legislation changes
• Apply for green grant applications and funding
• Develop a climate action plan
• Map out next steps for your business

The free programme involves 3 short training sessions and a peer-to-peer learning session (online) over a six week period. You will also get a 1-2-1 mentor session.

Register your interest for the programme

Watch our climate action webinars

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Climate action webinar

How to take those first steps in climate action

Join Tiomóid Foley, our Net Zero Manager, as he takes you through the steps to consider when developing your first climate action plans, with practical guidance on where to go when considering developing sustainability goals and targeting your emissions.

Resources mentioned in this webinar are:

VisitScotland's Climate Change Action Plan | VisitScotland.org

Climate Accelerator Programme - Register Interest

Sustainability | VisitScotland Business Support

Climate Change Adaptation Manual

Business Support Newsletter | VisitScotland Business Support

Local Authority Climate Contact Directory - Adaptation Scotland

Get support · Business Energy Scotland

Energy Saving Trust

Find business support in Scotland | Find Business Support

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Climate tools webinar

Our climate tools on the Business Support Hub

In this second webinar on climate action, we'll will guide you through VisitScotland’s Business Support Hub Sustainability pages – showing you how to navigate resources, access climate tools, and use self-service options to develop or enhance your climate action plan. You’ll learn how to gather data, apply a framework, and take practical next steps toward creating a more sustainable business.

Let us also walk you through the VisitScotland Climate Action Plan so you can create a more sustainable business. Get advice on how you can gather your existing data and evidence to shape your action plan – what can you improve now, and what can you change in the future.

Understand sustainability

Your guide to net zero and sustainability

Learn all about sustainability and understand key terms with these FAQs, and find training courses to expand your knowledge further.

Article

8 minute read

Net zero legislation

Explore how Scotland's net zero legislation transforms tourism, covering carbon budgets, energy efficiency, low-carbon transport & waste management.

Guide

5 minute read

Sustainability glossary

Find a list of explanations for key terms, phrases and important sustainable initiatives.

Article

8 minute read

Develop your sustainability journey

How to measure your climate impact

Measure your emissions with the Climate Impact Guide. See what data to gather, and how to use the insights for a more sustainable business model.

How-to

6 minute read

Carbon emissions calculator methodology statement

Find out more on how our climate action workbook calculates your emissions.

Guide

6 minute read

How to create your climate action plan

Now you have your measurements, create a climate action plan with realistic targets to track your progress with sustainability.

How-to

6 minute read

How to make sustainable improvements

Discover practical short and medium strategies for Scottish businesses to reduce carbon footprints, cut costs, and drive sustainability.

How-to

7 minute read

Medium-term sustainability improvements

Now you've audited your business in energy, travel and fixtures, it’s time to start making improvements and make plans for longer-term developments.

How-to

Long-term sustainability improvements

This guide provides actionable steps that Scottish tourism businesses can take to integrate sustainability into every aspect of their operations.

Article

6 minute read

Promoting responsible tourism

Promote Scotland online responsibly with sustainable activities, off-season stays, and eco-friendly travel benefiting communities and businesses.

Article

5 minute read

Environmentally responsible events

Find tips and resources to help your event on its environmental sustainability journey.

Article

5 minute read

Climate action case studies

Watch our video case studies to learn the different ways Scottish tourism businesses are embracing sustainability to combat climate change.

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Climate Action Case Study: Glen Mhor

Glen Mhor Hotel & Apartments and Distillery talk through their approach to creating a sustainable business.

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Climate Case Study: Wilderness Scotland

Learn how Wilderness Scotland has adapted their business to prioritise sustainability.

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Climate Action Case Study: The Scottish Crannog Centre

Find out how The Scottish Crannog Centre have put sustainability at the heart of their business.

Watch our climate action workbook webinar

Loch Morlich

How to measure your climate impact

Join Tiomóid Foley, our Responsible Tourism – Net Zero Manager, to learn more about our climate action workbook in this webinar. This is a practical resource for tourism and events businesses to help you measure your emissions and build a climate action plan for your business.

Related pages

Support by sector

Find tailored advice and case studies for accommodation, active and outdoor, events and festivals, food and drink and visitor attraction sectors.

Food and drink

Find tailored advice for businesses setting up a food and drink experience, or looking to improve and grow an existing business.

Accommodation

Find tailored advice and case studies for the accommodation, self-catering, hotels, small serviced and camping and caravan sectors.

Visitor attractions

Find advice, support and suggestions for the visitor experiences sector covering everything from small community-run museums to hands-on experiences.

Sign up for the latest advice

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