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.
Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia located on the island of Borneo, with Kuching - the capital city of Sarawak - as the pilot city to start the GDS-Index. As a world-first for Malaysia to drive continuous improvement, the GDSI Partnership Programme - Sarawak Region (GDSI-Sarawak Partner) was launched comprising 30 committee members from local government ministries and agencies, academia, associations, and industry partners. Sustainability for Business Events and Tourism is in line with Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) to make Sarawak as one of the leading ASEAN destinations by 2030.
Does Sarawak Convention Bureau have a Sustainability Strategy?
Does Sarawak have a sustainable destination certificate?
Does Sarawak Convention Bureau report on its sustainability performance?
Sarawak has one of the most diverse tropical climates on Earth which justifies the Sarawak Government’s emphasis on environmental sustainability to pave way for more investment inflow to Sarawak. Sustainability will create solutions, more green jobs and business opportunities to drive the economy in a sustainable manner. One initiative implemented is the Green Lifestyle, while in development include the greenhouse gas inventory for all economic sectors and cities to identify major contributors of greenhouse emissions in order to formulate green economy initiatives. For Business Events, the Legacy Impact motion is emphasising on environment as one of the significant pillars as well tourism under the Responsible Tourism motion.
OF ELECTRICITY
FROM RENEWABLES
OF WASTE
RECYCLED
HECTARES OF GREEN
AREA PER 100 000
POPULATION
Sarawak is synonymous with many success stories in hosting international business events and major events. For the world-renowned Rainforest World Music Festival, green initiatives were deployed to create a sustainable festival. Water refill stations and a Sustainable Procurement and Waste Management Strategy, among others, were integrated into multiple aspects of the festival thereby enriching the experience for festival goers. Other initiatives include capacity development workshops for local homestays across Sarawak to understand sustainable waste management practices.
OF HOTEL ROOMS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
OF VENUES
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
OF PCOS/DMCS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
Sarawak takes pride in its cultural diversity with 27 main ethnic tribes living harmoniously on the island of Borneo. As significant aspects are social sustainability and inclusion, the Sarawak Government is including the social impact from every industry to ensure that all generations can live in a peaceful and prosperous state. Emphasis is on providing opportunities for all regardless of race, culture, and religion. The core objective of the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 is to create a prosperous Sarawak for its people, as well as to protect its environment for sustainable 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.
Copyright GDS-Movement 2024. All rights reserved.
