In Bremen, environmental sustainability is given high priority. With its Climate Protection Strategy 2038, Bremen is pursuing the goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2038. Moreover, Bremen is actively addressing the topic of mitigation through its comprehensive Climate Change Adaptation Strategy. Key measures include enhancing green infrastructure, raising awareness among stakeholders and promoting climate-resilient urban planning. In the area of mobility, Bremen is actively pursuing sustainable goals through its 2025 Transport Development Plan. A central objective is to strategically enhance public transport as well as infrastructure for walking and cycling. Known as a cycling-friendly city, around 25% of all journeys were already made by bike in 2021. Bremen is advancing this trend with initiatives such as the BIKE IT! project, the development of premium cycle routes, new sharing systems and expanded cycle parking facilities. Biodiversity is also seen as a central field of action in Bremen. In 2025, the Biodiversity Strategy 2030 was published which is also closely linked to the topics of climate protection and climate adaptation.

The destination Bremen is focussing on sustainable development in the tourism sector in a holistic way that includes a close cooperation with local stakeholders and service providers along the tourism value chain. A key instrument is a sustainability network for tourism which brings together stakeholders from leisure businesses, gastronomy, the hotel industry, culture, event management and the MICE segment. In person training and networking sessions on sustainable marketing, sustainability certification or sustainable food pose the central activity of the initiative. Additionally, network meetings are held with the art and culture community to collaborate on ways to further integrate sustainability into this sector. Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen actively supports businesses by providing information about free services and funding opportunities that assist companies in advancing their sustainable development. Numerous hotels in Bremen already have a recognised sustainability certificates and the number is steadily growing. Currently, the development of a new tourism strategy that comprehensively addresses sustainability is underway which will act as a guiding document for the destination development in the years to come.

Sustainable tourism in Bremen focuses on the social aspect by supporting accessibility, measuring and monitoring resident sentiment and putting mechanisms in place to protect its cultural heritage. Accessibility is a key component of Bremen’s sustainability efforts. Bremen Tourism maintains a dedicated website offering comprehensive information on accessible accommodations, restaurants, attractions, and mobility options. Additionally, cultural and tourist venues actively participate by providing information about accessibility, trainings or socially equitable admission models. To contribute to the implementation of tourism projects in line with sustainability Bremen has a funding mechanism via the city-tax that supports tourism projects on culture, economic development and environmental initiatives. Moreover, repeated surveys show that the residents of Bremen feel that tourism development in Bremen adds economic and social value to their quality of life. Bremen is also forward-looking when it comes to education: Several universities offer degree programmes that put an emphasis on sustainability in the tourism and leisure industry.