Practical tips to help you navigate the growing list of climate action resources on offer – so that you can take confident, focused steps toward climate action.
The climate crisis is real, and tourism has a big role to play in tackling it. More and more Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) are stepping up, recognising that they have a responsibility – and an opportunity – to lead the shift towards low-carbon, more sustainable tourism.
But knowing where to start is often the hardest part. Maybe you’re trying to figure out how to measure your destination’s emissions, or how to prioritise your climate action efforts. You start to do a bit of research and you’re met with an overwhelming flood of reports, tools, frameworks, case studies and resources.
So how do you choose what to focus on? With limited time and budgets, it’s hard to know where to start. What’s actually useful? What’s credible? And how do you choose what to focus on right now?
We’ve pulled together some practical tips to help you navigate the growing list of resources on offer – so that you can take confident, focused steps toward climate action.
Know your why: Start with your goals
Every destination is different, and so it’s important to find the right climate action pathway for you. There’s lots that we can all learn from those who have already taken action and trialled solutions. But before diving into the sea of available resources, it’s critical to clarify your DMO’s specific climate priorities.
Are you aiming to reduce transport emissions? Support local businesses to cut their footprint? Adapt your destination to climate risks? Focus on visitor behaviour change?
By defining your goals upfront, you can use them as a lens to evaluate which case studies, tools and information will be most relevant. Not every report or platform will fit every stage or priority – and that’s ok. The clearer you are on your destination’s needs, the easier it becomes to filter what matters most.
Use frameworks to stay grounded
Rather than starting from scratch, use existing frameworks designed for the tourism sector. Global initiatives like the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism provide structured approaches to climate action planning.
Using a recognised framework can help you avoid duplication, focus on proven methods, and stay aligned with global best practice.
Quality over quantity: Focus on credible, actionable sources
When time and capacity are limited, prioritising quality over quantity is essential. Focus on resources from trusted organisations with a strong track record in sustainability and tourism, such as:
- UN Tourism (UNWTO)
- World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
- The Travel Foundation
- Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
- World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
Instead of trawling through endless Google searches, use curated libraries like our own climate change resource hub, the One Planet Network or the Future of Tourism’s Coalition Toolkit to access resources already filtered for relevance and credibility.
Think “just-in-time” learning
Don’t feel like you need to master everything upfront. This can act as a barrier to action and slow you down. You only need to learn what’s necessary for the stage you’re in now.
For example, if you’re focusing on measuring your baseline emissions, prioritise tools and resources that help with data gathering and carbon accounting. Leave resources on supply chain decarbonisation for later stages.
Mapping your action plan timeline and aligning resources accordingly can save you from information overload – and keep your learning focused and manageable.
Collaborate and learn from others
You don’t have to navigate climate action alone. Networks and peer groups like our own Destination Climate Champions training course, Tourism Declares, the Future of Tourism Coalition or regional DMO associations offer invaluable spaces to share experiences, tools, and lessons learned. Those taking our Destination Climate Champions training course, have access to three peer-to-peer workshops, where you can share ideas and challenges with others.
Talking to peers, joining webinars, or attending working groups can quickly reveal which tools are proving useful in practice, saving you time and helping avoid common pitfalls.
Use curation tools and save time
To make resource management easier, consider setting up a simple internal system for tracking useful tools, guides, and reports. This doesn’t need to be complicated – a shared Google Sheet, Trello board, or Slack channel can work well.
Tag resources by theme or action plan stage, write short notes on their relevance, and keep everything in one accessible place for your team. Over time, you’ll build a tailored library that fits your destination’s evolving needs.
Ask critical questions when reviewing a resource
When evaluating any new resource, take a moment to ask:
- Who produced it – and why?
- Is it up to date?
- What’s the underlying methodology?
- Does it align with climate science and global commitments?
- Is it practical and feasible for our destination?
These questions act as a quick filter to help you separate genuinely useful resources from outdated, biased, or irrelevant ones.
Get started!
And remember, you don’t need to know everything. Often the most important thing is just to start. Along the way, you can find the right resources to support you by understanding your goals, using information from trusted organisations and by collaborating with others.
If you’re looking for structured guidance to build knowledge, skills, and confidence in climate action planning, our Destination Climate Champions training course is a great place to start. It’s designed specifically to support DMOs in creating robust, science-based climate action plans. We also offer add-on coaching for those wanting tailored advice to interpret the learning for your particular destination.
Learn more about Destination Climate Champions and how it can help your DMO lead meaningful climate action here.
