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.
Glasgow aims to be at the forefront on climate change with ambitions to become the UK's first carbon neutral city by 2030 and a world leading centre for sustainable policy and innovation. Glasgow has featured within the top 10 of the GDS-Index since 2016. The ranking recognises the city's People Make Glasgow Greener campaign which gives a helping hand to conference organisers who wish to hold a sustainable conference in the city. Working closely with leading sustainable establishments across the city and with representatives from Glasgow's hospitality industry, local government, business and academic communities the collaborative approach proves that people really do make Glasgow greener!
Does Glasgow Convention Bureau have a Sustainability Strategy?
Does Glasgow have a sustainable destination certificate?
Does Glasgow Convention Bureau report on its sustainability performance?
The name Glasgow is derived from the Gaelic word Glaschu, which can be translated as ‘dear green place’. Glasgow is championing its aspirations to become one of Europe’s most sustainable cities – with a focus on improving quality of life in the city, protecting the environment and developing a green economy with sustainability top of the agenda. From the installation of ‘smart’ LED streetlights and more electric vehicle charging stations to the creation of renewable energy schemes and green jobs, Glasgow’s vision is to become a world-leading centre for sustainable policy, innovation and action. Already well known as a city that works together, the partners that support Glasgow City Council’s Sustainable Glasgow initiative are drawn from housing, communities, business, universities, enterprise and education. In 2021, Glasgow hosted the UN Conference on Climate Change - COP26.
OF ELECTRICITY
FROM RENEWABLES
OF WASTE
RECYCLED
HECTARES OF GREEN
AREA PER 100 000
POPULATION
Glasgow is at the forefront of low-carbon developments, with world-leading industry and academic organisations working in this sector. This in turn has had a positive impact on the number of conferences held in this area. In 2019, 15% of all conferences in the city were in the field of sustainability, second only to medical and life sciences meetings. Glasgow is also home to the UK's largest annual renewable energy event, All Energy, which attracts more than 7,000 attendees annually. The Scottish Event Campus (SEC) holds the highest award possible – the Gold Award – for Green Tourism and provides free city bike hire for delegates. Over 95% of the city's hotel bedrooms, representing more than 7,000 rooms, are within 30 minutes of the SEC and easily accessible by public transport. Moreover, some 40% of Glasgow’s hotels have achieved a Green Tourism award.
OF HOTEL ROOMS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
OF VENUES
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
OF PCOS/DMCS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
Glasgow and Scotland play host to some of the world’s most prestigious energy businesses and are internationally recognised as having one of the healthiest and most diverse energy industries in the world.
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.
