Array
(
    [id] => 170
    [active] => 1
    [city_id] => 29
    [city_name] => Geneva
    [contact_name] => Frédéricka
    [contact_surname] => Tison Fares
    [contact_email] => fredericka.tisonfares@geneve.com
    [organisation] => Geneva Tourism and Conventions Foundation
    [website] => https://www.geneve.com/en/sustainability-in-geneva
    [environmental_description] => Geneva is proud of its landscape and meets the highest standards in terms of protecting the environment.
The State department for Sustainable Development has established a strategy to improve the environment as well as the sustainability and quality of life. Many projects relating to air quality, renewable energies, social issues, equality and diversity have been undertaken. Geneva is ranked 9th in terms of quality of life in the latest Mercer report. Its 50 peaceful parks make it one of the greenest and relaxing destinations in Europe. Many describe Geneva as the “smallest of the largest capitals”. Free public transportation is offered to any guest staying in a hotel for the entire duration of their stay.
Geneva takes 80% of its drinking water from Lake Geneva and 20% from water tables. The GeniLac project, a 100% renewable innovative thermal solution, uses the lake water to cool and heat connected buildings in Geneva. Lowering the canton’s CO2 emission by 70’000 tons per year in 2025.
Geneva has twice been awarded the European Energy Award Gold (EEA Gold) label, in 2010 and 2014.
    [social_description] => Aside from sustainability issues, social concerns are also taken into account. Discover a city where Human Rights are a long-lasting tradition. Famously known as the “Capital of Peace”, the city hosts the European seat of the UN as well as the headquarters of the Red Cross.
Culture in Geneva has always been an important aspect and most of the city’s museums and public attractions are free. The city also emphasises access to culture for people with special needs. Furthermore, a section in the Geneva Convention Bureau’s website, called “Geneva affordable for all”, provides tips and information to visit and enjoy the city on a limited budget.
    [supplier_description] => Geneva is well known for the large number of international organisations that have their headquarters there. Most secretariats of international organisations working in the field of environmental protection are also based in Geneva, ensuring the close collaboration and coordination of activities focused on the global issues that affect our planet (WMO, UNEP, IRENA).
The destination’s sustainable portfolio is wide and legitimates the fact that many sustainable events already take place here. Many stakeholders are committed to improving sustainability programmes and are involved in different labels such as GRTA for restaurants (locally grown products) or GreenGlobe for hotels. Palexpo, the  largest exhibition and convention centre in Geneva, Palexpo is proud to host the second largest solar power plant in Switzerland on its roof (15'000 solar panels). The site produces the equivalent to the annual consumption of 1’350 Genevan households and to cover 2/3 of Palexpo's electrical needs. Palexpo recently renewed its ISO 20121 certification. In 2020, Palexpo was awarded the N ega Watt Prize for its efforts to significantly reduce energy consumption.
    [dmo_description] => Geneva was the first Canton to adopt a public law on sustainable development. Determined to keep its commitment, Geneva has implemented a sustainable strategy in response to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The city has many ambitions with regards to waste and energy, for example, the city’s public areas became free of single use plastic as of January 2020. The Geneva Convention Bureau pursues this vision by being a pioneer with respect to the GDSI benchmark. Setting a strategy and implementing training sessions for hotels and venues has become a key focus for the team. This policy is part of a continuous improvement plan for the sustainable development of the destination.
    [logo] => https://omni.gds.earth/storage/public_website/destination_logos/OJpNplkG7Bpdk6teJfZmD7PE7XrtBYyzHWrQsjNJ.png
    [video] => rhSptQOVCM4
    [img_1] => https://omni.gds.earth/storage/public_website/destination_photos/5b3a0ec58edf0.jpg
    [img_2] => 
    [img_3] => 
    [img_4] => 
    [img_5] => 
    [high_env_1] => 100
    [high_env_2] => 48
    [high_env_3] => 161
    [high_soc_1] => 79
    [high_soc_2] => 91
    [high_soc_3] => 85
    [high_sup_1] => 24
    [high_sup_2] => 50
    [high_sup_3] => 0
    [high_dmo_1] => Multi year strategy (+3 years),Aligned to the city's overall development agenda (not just tourism and events),Aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
    [high_dmo_2] => 0
    [high_dmo_3] => None
    [created_at] => 2021-01-08 12:02:29
    [updated_at] => 2023-10-10 12:01:27
    [year] => 2020
)
Array
(
    [id] => 170
    [year] => 2020
    [city_id] => 29
    [city_name] => Geneva
    [score_type] => city
    [Total] => 57.87
    [Total_rank] => 24
    [Environment] => 68.85
    [Environment_rank] => 10
    [Social] => 78.38
    [Social_rank] => 5
    [Supplier] => 45.95
    [Supplier_rank] => 16
    [DMO] => 44.44
    [DMO_rank] => 18
    [longitude] => 6.143157699999961
    [latitude] => 46.2043907
    [population] => 620131
    [country] => Switzerland
    [region] => Western Europe
    [created_at] => 2020-12-05 00:00:17
    [updated_at] => 2022-04-22 06:00:17
)
Geneva 2020 GDS-Index Report
2020 Performance Overview
DMO
Supplier
Social
Environmental
Performance Highlights
Summary
Environmental
Supplier
Social
Geneva was the first Canton to adopt a public law on sustainable development. Determined to keep its commitment, Geneva has implemented a sustainable strategy in response to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The city has many ambitions with regards to waste and energy, for example, the city’s public areas became free of single use plastic as of January 2020. The Geneva Convention Bureau pursues this vision by being a pioneer with respect to the GDSI benchmark. Setting a strategy and implementing training sessions for hotels and venues has become a key focus for the team. This policy is part of a continuous improvement plan for the sustainable development of the destination.
Geneva is proud of its landscape and meets the highest standards in terms of protecting the environment. The State department for Sustainable Development has established a strategy to improve the environment as well as the sustainability and quality of life. Many projects relating to air quality, renewable energies, social issues, equality and diversity have been undertaken. Geneva is ranked 9th in terms of quality of life in the latest Mercer report. Its 50 peaceful parks make it one of the greenest and relaxing destinations in Europe. Many describe Geneva as the “smallest of the largest capitals”. Free public transportation is offered to any guest staying in a hotel for the entire duration of their stay. Geneva takes 80% of its drinking water from Lake Geneva and 20% from water tables. The GeniLac project, a 100% renewable innovative thermal solution, uses the lake water to cool and heat connected buildings in Geneva. Lowering the canton’s CO2 emission by 70’000 tons per year in 2025. Geneva has twice been awarded the European Energy Award Gold (EEA Gold) label, in 2010 and 2014.
Geneva is well known for the large number of international organisations that have their headquarters there. Most secretariats of international organisations working in the field of environmental protection are also based in Geneva, ensuring the close collaboration and coordination of activities focused on the global issues that affect our planet (WMO, UNEP, IRENA). The destination’s sustainable portfolio is wide and legitimates the fact that many sustainable events already take place here. Many stakeholders are committed to improving sustainability programmes and are involved in different labels such as GRTA for restaurants (locally grown products) or GreenGlobe for hotels. Palexpo, the largest exhibition and convention centre in Geneva, Palexpo is proud to host the second largest solar power plant in Switzerland on its roof (15'000 solar panels). The site produces the equivalent to the annual consumption of 1’350 Genevan households and to cover 2/3 of Palexpo's electrical needs. Palexpo recently renewed its ISO 20121 certification. In 2020, Palexpo was awarded the N ega Watt Prize for its efforts to significantly reduce energy consumption.
Aside from sustainability issues, social concerns are also taken into account. Discover a city where Human Rights are a long-lasting tradition. Famously known as the “Capital of Peace”, the city hosts the European seat of the UN as well as the headquarters of the Red Cross. Culture in Geneva has always been an important aspect and most of the city’s museums and public attractions are free. The city also emphasises access to culture for people with special needs. Furthermore, a section in the Geneva Convention Bureau’s website, called “Geneva affordable for all”, provides tips and information to visit and enjoy the city on a limited budget.
Summary
Geneva was the first Canton to adopt a public law on sustainable development. Determined to keep its commitment, Geneva has implemented a sustainable strategy in response to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The city has many ambitions with regards to waste and energy, for example, the city’s public areas became free of single use plastic as of January 2020. The Geneva Convention Bureau pursues this vision by being a pioneer with respect to the GDSI benchmark. Setting a strategy and implementing training sessions for hotels and venues has become a key focus for the team. This policy is part of a continuous improvement plan for the sustainable development of the destination.
Does Geneva Tourism and Conventions Foundation have a Sustainability Strategy?
Does Geneva have a sustainable destination certificate?
Does Geneva Tourism and Conventions Foundation report on its sustainability performance?
Environmental
Geneva is proud of its landscape and meets the highest standards in terms of protecting the environment. The State department for Sustainable Development has established a strategy to improve the environment as well as the sustainability and quality of life. Many projects relating to air quality, renewable energies, social issues, equality and diversity have been undertaken. Geneva is ranked 9th in terms of quality of life in the latest Mercer report. Its 50 peaceful parks make it one of the greenest and relaxing destinations in Europe. Many describe Geneva as the “smallest of the largest capitals”. Free public transportation is offered to any guest staying in a hotel for the entire duration of their stay. Geneva takes 80% of its drinking water from Lake Geneva and 20% from water tables. The GeniLac project, a 100% renewable innovative thermal solution, uses the lake water to cool and heat connected buildings in Geneva. Lowering the canton’s CO2 emission by 70’000 tons per year in 2025. Geneva has twice been awarded the European Energy Award Gold (EEA Gold) label, in 2010 and 2014.
OF ELECTRICITY FROM RENEWABLES
OF WASTE RECYCLED
161 ha
HECTARES OF GREEN AREA PER 100 000 POPULATION
Supplier
Geneva is well known for the large number of international organisations that have their headquarters there. Most secretariats of international organisations working in the field of environmental protection are also based in Geneva, ensuring the close collaboration and coordination of activities focused on the global issues that affect our planet (WMO, UNEP, IRENA). The destination’s sustainable portfolio is wide and legitimates the fact that many sustainable events already take place here. Many stakeholders are committed to improving sustainability programmes and are involved in different labels such as GRTA for restaurants (locally grown products) or GreenGlobe for hotels. Palexpo, the largest exhibition and convention centre in Geneva, Palexpo is proud to host the second largest solar power plant in Switzerland on its roof (15'000 solar panels). The site produces the equivalent to the annual consumption of 1’350 Genevan households and to cover 2/3 of Palexpo's electrical needs. Palexpo recently renewed its ISO 20121 certification. In 2020, Palexpo was awarded the N ega Watt Prize for its efforts to significantly reduce energy consumption.
OF HOTEL ROOMS SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFIED
OF VENUES SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFIED
OF PCOS/DMCS SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFIED
Social
Aside from sustainability issues, social concerns are also taken into account. Discover a city where Human Rights are a long-lasting tradition. Famously known as the “Capital of Peace”, the city hosts the European seat of the UN as well as the headquarters of the Red Cross. Culture in Geneva has always been an important aspect and most of the city’s museums and public attractions are free. The city also emphasises access to culture for people with special needs. Furthermore, a section in the Geneva Convention Bureau’s website, called “Geneva affordable for all”, provides tips and information to visit and enjoy the city on a limited budget.
79
SDG IMPLEMENTATION SCORE
91
SCORE ON SOCIAL PROGRESS INDEX
85
SCORE ON CORRUPTION PERCEPTION INDEX
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Destination

About the Global Destination Sustainability Movement

The Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDSM) brings together the sustainability pioneers of the business and leisure tourism world, working with destinations to co-create their tourism and events strategies, benchmark and improve their sustainability performance and transform value chains in order to catalyse regeneration.

Our purpose is to engage, inspire and enable the business events and tourism industry to become more sustainable and regenerative.

 

Our Methodology

In 2022 the GDS-Index used 70 indicators that evaluate destinations sustainability performance across four key areas. If you are interested, you can read our benchmarking methodology in detail here.

Environmental
Performance

Climate, Energy and Emissions​

Circularity and Waste​

Water​

Air Quality​

Transportation​

Biodiversity​

Social
Performance

SDG Alignment ​

Corruption​

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion​

Health, Safety and Wellness​

Accessibility ​

Resident Engagement​

Supplier
Performance

Hotels​

Airport​

Agencies (PCOs & DMCs)​

Restaurants​

Venues​

Academia​

Destination
Management
Performance

Destination Strategy​

Governance and Reporting​

Policy and Certification​

Capacity Building​

Measurement, Impact and Reporting​

Marketing and Communications​

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion​

Ownership

The GDS­M is not owned by any one organisation. It is operated as a multi-­stakeholder partnership founded and endorsed by IMEX, MCI, the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and City Destinations Alliance (CityDNA). Gubi Consulting and Guy Bigwood are responsible for the management of the Secretariat.

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