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 2024 GDS-Index comprises 77 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.
Actions speaks louder than words - and the climate changes require action! But to make the actions have an impact, a DMO cannot walk alone. In Aarhus we have formed a close, strategic collaboration between the key stakeholders (Aarhus University, the DMO, the Municipality and Aarhus Events). As a result a Green Handbook for Events and Conferences was published and is free and accessible to all. We believe that a hands-on approach combined with a strategic collaboration is the best way to act and to make an impact. It should not be difficult to choose a more sustainable option - it should be the natural choice. We hope our approach can inspire others!
Does VisitAarhus have a Sustainability Strategy?
Does Aarhus have a sustainable destination certificate?
Does VisitAarhus report on its sustainability performance?
The City of Aarhus has set its sights firmly on achieving CO2 neutrality by 2030. With high levels of waste recycling, renewable energy and public transportation availability, Aarhus is doing its part for a more sustainable future. The City also has a range of excellent hotels and conference venues where awareness of sustainability is increasingly on the agenda. With a compact city center, hotels and venues lie side by side and everything is within walking distance - a vibrant city life with restaurants, shopping, museums and cultural experiences - just waiting for you to explore them!
OF ELECTRICITY
FROM RENEWABLES
THE CITY’S
2030 CARBON
REDUCTION TARGET
HECTARES OF GREEN
AREA PER 100 000
POPULATION
It's easy to host an event with an eye for sustainability in Aarhus! More than 60 percent of the hotel rooms hold an official eco-certification. The city’s convention venues are also certified, and everything is within walking distance. The DMO works actively to inspire the city’s meetings industry and conference hosts to go green - providing hosts with information about the ambitious work with sustainability, conducted by the destination's hotels, congress centers, and restaurants.
OF HOTEL ROOMS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
OF VENUES
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
OF PCOS/DMCS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
SUSTAINABILITY, DIVERSITY AND DEMOCRACY. Three core values describing Aarhus - the second largest city in a country listed in the highest echelons of the world's leading rankings including: Least corrupt country/ Most prosperous country/ Most safe country/ Happiest people/ Human Capital Index and the Best Country for Women. Denmark also ranks highly in metrics of national performance including: education, health care, protection of civil liberties, democratic governance, prosperity and human development.
The GDS-Movement is a pioneering, data-driven international change agency that acts to catalyse socio-economic and environmental transformation in cities and regions across the world. 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.
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