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.
Does Meet In Ireland have a Sustainability Strategy?
Does Dublin have a sustainable destination certificate?
Does Meet In Ireland report on its sustainability performance?
Dublin is known for its greenery, but being green doesn’t just include the scenery. It’s a city with an ever growing public transport system, including bus, tram and train that carried a combined 275.3 million passengers in 2015 alone. On top of that, over 4 million users availed of Dublin’s bicycle sharing scheme that is easily accessible from multiple points across the city. Dublin is home to the world’s first carbon-neutral constructed convention centre, and many other venues across the city have been inspired by this innovative example to become more sustainable. Dublin is ranked the 34th best place in the world to live, 33rd on the Liveability Index, and above the EU average for gender equality. As a tech hub it’s a city that’s always innovating, including finding new and improved ways to take care of the world we live in. Organising a sustainable event in Dublin couldn’t be easier.
OF ELECTRICITY
FROM RENEWABLES
THE CITY’S
2030 CARBON
REDUCTION TARGET
HECTARES OF GREEN
AREA PER 100 000
POPULATION
As part of the Emerald Isle, Dublin is a hub for green meetings. In 2010 the doors opened to the world’s first carbon-neutral constructed convention centre, which has a continued commitment to the environment through helping host sustainable meetings. Initiatives are in place to expand the reach of corporate social responsibility, such as through Emission Zero which will donate 10% of your carbon offset charge to Haven, an Irish NGO, building homes and hope in Haiti. Over half of the city’s hotel rooms are easily accessible from an array of public transport options, two thirds of the city’s conference venues are also eco-certified as well as Dublin Airport. Dublin also has a strong infrastructure regarding waste management, such as in 2002 plastic bag tax. The entire city is on a green mission, inspiring the meetings industry to go green as well.
OF HOTEL ROOMS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
OF VENUES
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
OF PCOS/DMCS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
Dublin rose to 13th place in the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) 2014 rankings of top convention cities in the World. While home to world’s first carbon-neutral constructed convention centre, it is also Europe's Leading Meetings & Conference Centre’ at the 24th annual World Travel Awards. Dublin is also proud to be home to Europe's Leading Green Hotel 2017.
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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