SUSTAINABILITY

The Mediterranean Sustainable Tourism Convention is an event conceived for the sustainable tourism in a sustainable way.
Taking into consideration the global challenges that the tourism sector, and not only it, is facing due to the climate change and the global initiatives that are being promoted, the MED Sustainable Tourism Convention integrates several measures and the guidelines set by the Interreg MED Programme in order to integrate sustainablility criteria in the organisation of the project activities and, therefore, in the organisation of this event.

With this regards, this event will be organised and developed with a sustainability approach that will translate into the following actions:

Carbon footprint: The II MED Sustainable Tourism Convention will measure its carbon footprint using the ZeroCO2MED tool (considering mobility and accommodation options of participants, venue facilities, catering, waste and communication materials) and will compensate its emissions through a verified initiative that will be selected by the participants of the event.

This event is one of the pilot activities testing this tool: The Interreg MED ZeroCO2MED project is developing a carbon footprint accounting methodology and an easy-friendly tool to assess the carbon footprint of Interreg MED projects. In this way, project promoters will be able to understand their carbon emissions and their contribution to achieve climate neutrality. ZeroCO2MED also offers them with a set of recommendations to support project partners to reduce their carbon footprint when possible, and to give them high-quality options to offset the remaining emissions when they cannot be avoided.

Venue and accommodation: The venue, Hotel Alimara in Barcelona, has received the ISO 14001 and EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) sustainable certifications, allowing the guests to monitor and reduce their energy and water consumptions during their stay. The venue and accommodation are easily accessible by public transportation (walking distance).

Waste management: the convention is waste free. The hotel will deliver the leftover food to the NGO Nutrición sin Fronteras (NSF) , contributing to the reduction of inequalities in nutrition. Among other measures, the products offered in the menu will be locally produced. The event is also plastic free and paper free. No plastic glasses and bottles will be offered to the assistants. A mobile app is dedicated to the event and already in this link. No printed program book will be provided and the lanyards have been recycled from previous events. Badges will be printed in reusable materials.

The MED Sustainable Tourism Convention is also integrated this year under several other activities focused on tourism sustainability scheduled for June in Barcelona and its counties. Known as “+ tourism sustainability. June 2022”, the Barcelona Provincial Council, Barcelona City Council and Barcelona Tourism are promoting this month about a dozen events, both for the professional sector and for the final public, around sustainable and responsible tourism. A month to carry out several activities but also to reflect and promote sustainable tourism in the Barcelona Destination. Check all the agenda and the dedicated activities in this link.