The Glasgow Convention Bureau (GCB) recently announced that it has become the first convention bureau in the world to join Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency. Launched in January 2020 as a voluntary initiative to align tourism and travel with the target to cut global emissions in half by 2030, Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency recognises the tourism industry’s impact on the climate as well as its potential to influence positive change. The initiative now has 225 members representing business, destinations and NGOs from most sectors of the industry.

The announcement builds on the city’s position as the fourth most sustainable conference destination in the world and the only UK city to be included in the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS–Index). Prior to the pandemic, Glasgow hosted 20 energy, sustainability and low carbon industry-related conferences over a 24-month period, boosting the city’s economy by more than £23m. Aileen Crawford, Head of Conventions, Glasgow Convention Bureau, said that Glasgow is working towards becoming one of Europe’s most sustainable cities and a world-leading centre for sustainable policy, innovation and action. 

She mentioned that as the city gears up to host COP26, the UN Conference on Climate Change, the Convention Bureau is keen to do its bit. She shared that signing up to Tourism Declares is an important step in support of the city’s credentials as a world-leader in sustainable business tourism. She also informed that authorities are working closely with partners to encourage more tourism businesses to develop their sustainability credentials and find out more about certification schemes like Green Tourism and Green Key, who offer a wide range of support to businesses.

Jeremy Smith, Co-Founder, Tourism Declares, added that they are delighted to welcome Glasgow Convention Bureau to Tourism Declares and needs to engage all sectors of travel and tourism in climate action. He said it is inspiring that GCB is the first such organisation in the world to declare, especially in the year that Glasgow will play host to the COP26 Climate Conference. He shared that authorities are hoping this is the beginning of the business events and conferences sector delivering the kind of commitments and transformative action of which it is uniquely capable, and looking forward to working with GCB to support such collaboration in Scotland over the coming months.