The GDS-Index is a destination-level programme that measures, benchmarks, and improves the sustainability strategy and performance of tourism and events destinations.
The GDS-Index is aligned with international standards; UN SDGs, GSTC Destination Criteria, UNWTO.
Click here to read more about the benchmarking methodology including data collection and verification, the four benchmarking categories, governance and criteria development and performance scoring methods.
This page highlights each destinations sustainability journey and will showcase their journey.
The 2023 GDS-Index comprises 69 indicators across four categories. Here is the total score and the score for the four categories for this destination.
Environmental
Social
Supplier
Destination Management Organisation
Environmental
Includes a city's performance pertaining to its policies and infrastructure, such as climate change commitment, carbon emissions, renewable energies, resource and water management, public transport, and air pollution levels.
Social
Indicates the performance of the city against indicators of SDG integration, Corruption, Personal Safety, Access to Information and Communications, Health and Wellness, and Inclusivity, using external sources such as the Social Progress Imperative Index, and Corruption Perceptions Index.
Supplier
Addresses the sustainability commitment and performance of the local meetings' industry supply chain, including airports, events agencies, hotels, venues, and restaurants.
Destination Management Organisation
Indicates the sustainability commitment, including questions pertaining to maturity of a destination's sustainability and regeneration strategy, leadership, communication of sustainability initiatives (to support client planners), and the accuracy of their reporting on sustainability operations.
Does Destination Nord have a Sustainability Strategy?
Does Aalborg have a sustainable destination certificate?
Does Destination Nord report on its sustainability performance?
Every year Aalborg holds a sustainability festival week where the city and the municipality invite everyone to showcase their sustainable projects in the city and surrounding area. The city of Aalborg has had sustainability on the agenda for many years with the “Aalborg Charter”, and continues to push its development towards a more sustainable future. The ‘Aalborg Charter’ (1994) is an urban environment sustainability initiative approved by the participants at the first European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns in Aalborg, Denmark. It is inspired by the Rio Earth Summit’s Local Agenda 21 plan, and was developed to contribute to the European Union’s Environmental Action Programme, ‘Towards Sustainability’. The Charter is based on the consensus of individuals, municipalities, NGOs, national and international organisations, and scientific bodies. More than 3000 local authorities from more than 40 countries have signed the Charter. This has resulted in the largest European movement of its type.
OF ELECTRICITY
FROM RENEWABLES
OF WASTE
RECYCLED
HECTARES OF GREEN
AREA PER 100 000
POPULATION
From the very beginning, VisitAalborg CVB has been a supporter and a part of the development of the ICCA Scandinavian Sustainability Index, now extended to the Global Sustainability Destination Index. 64% of all hotel capacity in Aalborg holds an official eco-certification, and the largest conference venue of the city Aalborg Congress & Culture Center has obtained an official ISO 20121 certification in 2017! VisitAalborg CVB also provides information for clients on how to host a sustainable meeting in Aalborg and North Denmark.
OF HOTEL ROOMS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
OF VENUES
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
OF PCOS/DMCS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
Apart from the environmental aspect, Aalborg is the happiest city in the EU (2016) and a city in a country listed in the absolute top of rankings such as least corrupt country/ most prosperous country/ most peaceful country/ and best country for women.
The GDS-Movement is a pioneering, international change agency that acts to catalyse socio-economic and environmental transformation in cities and regions. Our mission is to empower tourism and events professionals with the mindsets, skill sets, and toolsets to co-create more regenerative and resilient destinations to visit, meet, and live in.
Copyright GDS-Movement 2024. All rights reserved.
