Climate action training for tourism businesses

Practical training to turn climate ambition into action

Climate change is already reshaping tourism, from operational disruption and extreme weather to shifting traveller expectations and regulatory change.

Many tourism businesses recognise the need to act, but feel overwhelmed by climate information and reporting frameworks, and lack clarity on where to start. Often, there is no dedicated sustainability lead, and uncertainty around how to communicate progress without risking greenwash can create hesitation.

Our Climate Action Planning programme provides practical, expert-led training to build confidence, structure and capability. It helps businesses reduce emissions, strengthen resilience and embed climate considerations into day-to-day decision-making.

Who it is for

This programme is designed for:

• Small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMEs)
• Accommodation providers, attractions, tour operators and destination-based businesses
• Business clusters convened by DMOs, national park authorities or local authorities
• Teams working across sustainability, operations, marketing or product development

It is particularly effective when delivered to a cohort within the same destination, enabling peer learning and shared progress.

What the programme covers

1. Climate foundations and business relevance

• Why climate action matters for tourism
• Tourism’s role in emissions and resilience
• The business case for action
• Core terminology and planning basics

2. A climate lens for decision-making

Participants are introduced to a practical “climate lens”: a structured way of applying climate considerations to everyday decisions. This helps businesses to:

• Align operational and strategic decisions with climate goals
• Understand what they are already doing
• Identify emissions hotspots and risk exposure
• Embed climate thinking across departments

3. Applying climate thinking in practice

• Apply the climate lens to business functions
• Identify priority areas and sphere of influence
• Prioritise actions based on impact and feasibility
• Draft key components of a climate action plan

4. Behaviour change and the ‘first mile’

Climate action is often limited by implementation, not awareness. This module helps participants:

• Engage staff and leadership teams
• Influence internal decision-making
• Design guest communications that encourage positive behaviours
• Move from intention to sustained action

5. Communicating with confidence

• What credible climate communication looks like
• Avoiding greenwashing
• Understanding green claims regulation
• Communicating with staff, partners and customers
• Developing and testing your own messaging

How the programme works

The programme is modular and adaptable. A typical structure includes:

Foundations session (online, 1.5–2 hours)
Climate literacy, business case, planning basics and introduction to the climate lens

Deep-dive workshop (in-person or virtual, half-day or full-day)
Operational application, emissions focus areas, prioritisation exercises and structured planning

Implementation and communications session (online, 1.5 hours)
Behaviour change, stakeholder engagement, green claims and messaging

Flexible delivery

While this outlines a typical structure, the programme is flexible and can be adapted to suit your context and objectives.

It can be delivered:

• To a cohort of businesses within a destination
• To a smaller leadership group
• As a standalone introductory session or a multi-stage programme
• Fully online, in-person or as a blended approach

Some organisations begin with a single foundation session and build towards a longer programme over time. Others commission a comprehensive pathway from the outset.

Content can be tailored to specific business types, sectors or destination priorities, ensuring relevance while maintaining a clear and consistent framework.

Pricing

Cohort-based programme (three sessions, up to 20 businesses):
£10,000 – £15,000, depending on format and level of tailoring

Extended support

We can also provide:

• One-to-one advisory and ongoing strategic support
• Executive training pathways for senior leaders
• Follow-up progress reviews (6–12 months)
• Integration with risk and resilience workshops
• Communications toolkit development