Toolkit for Climate Action in Tourism: Insights from the NATOUR4CC Workshop
At the occasion of the Sun & Blue Congress of Almeria (Spain), NATOUR4CC organised a project workshop on 21st November 2024, in which the Travel Foundation and the CPMR introduced the Climate Action Toolkit developed in the framework of the project. The event was designed to guide destinations and regions in tackling the challenges of climate change through targeted and actionable steps.
The toolkit aims to simplify the planning process by helping stakeholders identify and report impacts, pilot nature-based solutions (NbS), and plan and implement localized actions.
The climate action journey, as emphasized by the trainers, is best approached incrementally— using a “slice by slice” approach. The toolkit provides a structured framework to support regions and destinations in developing both mitigation and adaptation strategies, engaging stakeholders, and setting measurable objectives. A key component of the toolkit is notably a scheduling table that participants explored during the workshop. This tool helps define adaptation and mitigation goals, identify key stakeholders, and establish indicators for tracking progress across various initiatives.
Regions and Destination Perspectives
Participants from both regional authorities and destinations noted the toolkit’s value and acknowledged the time-intensive process this can take. Each of the regions and destinations is at a different level of climate action planning and starts from a different reality (in terms of knowledge on the subject, vulnerability to climate change, sector involvement, etc…), however they all acknowledged that it is crucial to start working on it.
While destinations’ representatives highlighted risks tied to tourist activities—such as impacts on ecosystems—regional authorities’ representatives also stressed that broader, systemic actions are needed. The importance of addressing biodiversity at every scale was also reiterated, particularly for larger regions like Andalusia. Moreover, it was pointed out that climate action planning needs to be considered at different scales (region and destinations), but also in areas such as schools, businesses etc. as it helps to provide a framework, it sets clear objectives and puts climate change at the centre of the debate and actions.
Sharing of experiences: the case of Catalonia![]()
In addition, regional authorities like Catalonia shared their experience of using a climate planning toolkit to enhance their existing climate action plans. In Catalonia, for instance, the Glasgow Declaration was the starting point for the development of a robust climate action plan. This included actions like measuring and monitoring the carbon footprint of destinations and repurposing EU ski resorts. Their process underscores the necessity of cross-sector collaboration, involving public and private stakeholders as well as civil society. Catalonia’s experience, with its systematic approach to monitoring and revising their plan, demonstrated the value of continuous improvement.
During the workshop participants notably valued the opportunity to share knowledge and adapt strategies to local contexts, emphasizing that the responsibility now lies in taking concrete actions rather than just promoting ideas. However, they also pointed out challenges, such as the need for more time to explore and implement the toolkit, as well as potential overlaps between existing climate action plans across sectors. In that sense, the project partners will further pursue their support through dedicated bilateral and group meetings in the year ahead.
Other concerns highlighted gaps in alignment and opportunities for better integration of the tourism sector with broader sustainability objectives like the SDGs.
Next steps
In closing the workshop, speakers recalled the urgency of fostering a “land ethic”— a deep respect for nature as articulated by Aldo Leopold and Thomas Berry— and drew the attention on Emily Dickinson’s metaphor of hope to inspire continued action. The session also featured videos showcasing successful climate action initiatives like SUSTENTOUR and ADAPTUR, with insights from Mexico and beyond.
The toolkit introduced by the Travel Foundation and the CPMR is a crucial resource for advancing climate action in tourism. While challenges , such as time constraints and potential overlaps, remain, the workshop reinforced the importance of learning from each other and adapting solutions to regional needs.
Within projects like NATOUR4CC, the Intermediterranean and the Islands Commissions are offering opportunities to build not only plans but also to open fruitful discussions on meaningful actions at regional level that can ensure a sustainable future for tourism while tackling climate change challenges at territorial level. In the coming months regions and destinations from the project, including insular regions as Crete and Sardegna, will start drafting climate action plans and strategies using the Travel Foundation’s tool, and will be accompanied on a case-by-case basis.
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For more information, please contact jordi.juarez@crpm.org and lise.guennal@crpm.org |