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.
Belfast launched its Resilience Strategy, the city’s first climate plan in December 2020. It sets out 30 transformational programmes to transition Belfast to an inclusive, zero-emissions, climate-resilient economy within a generation. As the city’s Destination Marketing Organisation (DMO), Visit Belfast is playing a key role supporting Belfast’s ambition. In partnership with Belfast City Council, we have committed to the development of a sustainable tourism strategy as one of the resilience strategy transformational programmes. It is within this context that Visit Belfast has launched its sustainability strategy, policy and action plan.
Does Visit Belfast and Belfast City Council have a Sustainability Strategy?
Does Belfast have a sustainable destination certificate?
Does Visit Belfast and Belfast City Council report on its sustainability performance?
In October 2019 Belfast City Council's elected members declared a climate emergency and launched commitments that: - Council becomes a carbon neutral organisation as soon as possible - Belfast's carbon emissions are reduced by 80% against 2005 levels - Work would commence towards a climate adaption and mitigation plan. Co-Chaired by BCC and Queen's University, Belfast's Climate Commission was established in December 2019. This Commission is one of 3 city-based commissions across the UK (with Leeds and Edinburgh) to translate climate policy into action on the ground.
OF ELECTRICITY
FROM RENEWABLES
OF WASTE
RECYCLED
HECTARES OF GREEN
AREA PER 100 000
POPULATION
Visit Belfast in its three year strategy will transform its approach to meetings and events. Its programme includes: - 30% of all 2022 business events will have a legacy plan - increasing to 80% by 2025 - 30% of all 2022 business events will have a sustainability plan - increasing to 80% by 2025 - Launch of a sustainable events framework - Appointment of a new sustainability and impact manager within the business events team to support clients and industry - A fully funded certification scheme by BCC and Green Tourism to increase sustainability credentials of its tourism and hospitality industry across the city - the largest Green Tourism partnership with a city - Launch of Sustainable Choices toolkit and resources to help clients deliver more sustainable and impactful events in Belfast
OF HOTEL ROOMS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
OF VENUES
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
OF PCOS/DMCS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
Belfast's Resilience Strategy is aligned with the 17 UN sustainability goals. Belfast performs largely within the expected range for social sustainability on the Social Progress Index.
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.
