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Slovenian Tourist Board signs the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism

Published:
26.9.2023

Slovenian Tourist Board signs the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism

By signing the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, the Slovenian Tourist Board (STB) has committed to actively contribute to the fight against climate change and the achieve climate goals by 2050.

The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism represents a significant commitment by the tourism industry to tackle climate change and advance sustainability. Launched during the 26th UN Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP26) in Glasgow in 2021, this initiative, spearheaded by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the One Planet Network, acknowledges the tourism sector's pivotal role in addressing climate change. It underscores the industry's dedication to curbing its carbon footprint, enhancing environmental conservation, and advocating responsible tourism practices.

MSc. Maja Pak, director of the Slovenian Tourist Board (STB), highlighted during the signing of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism: "The STB proudly joins over 800 signatories of the Glasgow Declaration, all committed to halving emissions by 2030 and achieving zero emissions by 2050. Slovenia stands as a destination dedicated to sustainable development, crafting tourism products with the smallest possible carbon footprint, characterized by a strong local essence and increased value for all stakeholders. Through the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism, the STB takes on a significant role in guiding its partners in Slovenian tourism toward sustainability. Simultaneously, we acknowledge that the responsibility of fostering green, sustainable tourism in Slovenia extends to everyone, and we are commited to act in an environmentally and nature-friendly manner. Signing the Glasgow Declaration marks a new, crucial step on this path."

Among the signatories of the declaration is also the European Travel Commission (ETC), of which the STB is also a member. ETC has recently formed a working group dedicated to climate action in tourism, designed to assist national tourism organizations. This group serves as a climate-focused think tank and offers strategic guidance. The STB is an active member of this expert commission and, in collaboration with the ETC, will develop its climate action plan, with a 12-month timeline for its completion.

Numerous STB's projects for more sustainable operations

The current strategy of Slovenian tourism outlines development goals until 2028, aiming for "something more and much better". This vision encompasses transforming Slovenia into a green boutique destination with a smaller footprint and greater value for all. Slovenia has already gained global recognition as a leader in sustainable tourism development, thanks to the innovative and multi-awarded Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism (GSST), which STB continuously enhances with new initiatives. The STB actively engages in numerous projects emphasizing sustainability. These initiatives include Slovenia Green Cuisine, a part of GSST, actions to eliminate single-use plastics from catering and tourism, and the National Information Center (NIS), serving as a unique data and information hub for collecting and processing tourism-related data, facilitating data-driven decision-making and increasing added value across all sustainability pillars in tourism.

Furthermore, as part of the Green and Healthy Offices for a Friendly Slovenia project, the STB employees undertake a variety of activities related to the organization's operations, promoting a green and digital transition in alignment with the European Green Deal. These activities encompass waste management, energy conservation, water usage, transportation, and health. Within this project, the STB has also prepared a comprehensive manual, offering concrete guidance on sustainable practices with the preservation of our planet in mind.


Sustainable tourism is the cornerstone of Slovenian tourism, encompassing environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of development. To ensure long-term sustainable growth in Slovenian tourism, we aim to strike a balance between tourism's impact on the environment, local communities, tourism providers, and employees.

Over the years, the STB has successfully positioned Slovenia as a global sustainability-oriented destination, earning numerous awards and recognitions. Through the umbrella brand Slovenia Green, the STB introduced the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism, which promotes sustainable practices, unites sustainable efforts, and showcases the eco-friendly stories of Slovenian tourism.

The Glasgow Declaration, published during COP26 in Glasgow in 2021 highlights the importance of an active approach to implementing measures to address climate challenges in tourism and encourages strong commitments from stakeholders to support global goals of halving emissions within the next decade and achieving net-zero emissions as soon as possible before 2050.


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Global public relations and Marketing
e-mail address: press(at)slovenia.info

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