Dublin City Council has announced that Dublin city has officially joined the globally recognised EarthCheck Sustainable Destinations programme, marking a new era of sustainable tourism for the city.
This move is another significant step towards becoming a sustainable destination and also aligns with Dublin’s recent accolade as the 2024 European Capital of Smart Tourism, reinforcing the city’s commitment to innovative and sustainable practices.
Dublin City Council said: “This exciting collaboration underscores Dublin’s commitment to sustainable development and aligns perfectly with the city’s new Tourism Strategy 2023-2028. The initiative will ensure that Dublin continues to be a world class destination while prioritising environmental responsibility, community well-being, and innovative practices. Furthermore, the EarthCheck Sustainable Destinations programme is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing a structured roadmap for achieving our sustainability objectives.”
The Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan said: “As the Lord Mayor, I am immensely proud of Dublin’s dedication to sustainability. Joining the EarthCheck Sustainable Destinations programme is a testament to our commitment to creating a greener, more resilient city. This partnership will not only enhance our environmental efforts but also enrich the experience for both residents and visitors. We are excited to embark on this journey towards a sustainable future together.”
Dublin’s new Tourism Strategy is shaped by three key goals: focusing on people-centred and community-based growth, being proactive and accountable towards our climate goals, and promoting future-facing, creative, and digitally advanced initiatives.
By fostering a sustainable tourism industry, the city aims to meet the objectives of the city’s climate action plan Climate Neutral Dublin 2030 and Dublin’s City Development Plan 2022-2028, ensuring the capital transitions to low carbon, sustainable, and climate resilient future. Further, Dublin City being a mission city in the EU Mission for 100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities, joining EarthCheck is a vital part of its journey to climate neutrality.
Mary MacSweeney, Executive Manager, Culture Recreation and Economic Services, Dublin City Council said: “We are delighted to have partnered with EarthCheck to deliver the first ever destination sustainability certification for Dublin City. Having been early signatories of the Glasgow Declaration on Sustainable Tourism, undertaking this certification is our next step in making our tourism industry in Dublin more sustainable.”
EarthCheck CEO and Founder, Stewart Moore said: “We are delighted to welcome Dublin to the EarthCheck Sustainable Destinations programme. Dublin’s rich cultural heritage and forward-thinking tourism strategy make it an ideal partner in our mission to promote sustainable tourism globally. We look forward to working closely with the city to achieve its sustainability goals and create a positive impact for future generations.”
Why This Matters
Dublin’s inclusion in the EarthCheck programme brings numerous benefits:
- Environmental Stewardship: Implementing best practices to reduce our carbon footprint and preserve natural resources.
- Community Engagement: Ensuring local communities benefit from sustainable tourism and have a voice in the process.
- Economic Resilience: Strengthening Dublin’s economy through sustainable tourism practices that attract conscious travellers.
- Cultural Preservation: Celebrating and protecting Dublin’s unique cultural heritage for future generations to enjoy.
- Measurement and Benchmarking: Leveraging EarthCheck’s scientific benchmarking and certification to measure Dublin’s sustainability progress and set targets for continuous improvement.
