VisitScotland has unveiled its first-ever carbon calculator to help tackle climate change, at the start of Scotland's Climate Week (28 September to 4 October).
The national tourism and events organisation joins a select group of destination bodies worldwide offering businesses access to carbon measurement technology, reinforcing Scotland’s global reputation as a leading sustainable tourism and events destination.
The new partnership between VisitScotland and TRACE by isla will give tourism and events businesses across Scotland the ability to capture carbon data about their operations.
TRACE by isla is a carbon measurement and reporting platform developed by isla, a UK-based sustainability body that helps businesses measure and reduce environmental impact.
The initiative forms part of VisitScotland's wider Climate Action Accelerator programme, which supports businesses to understand their carbon footprint and develop practical plans to reduce emissions, which can save costs as well as the environment.
Delivered in partnership with Climate Springboard at the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI), the free six-week online programme provides step-by-step guidance to help small and medium-sized tourism and events businesses calculate their emissions, identify where action can be taken and create realistic climate action plans.
Through VisitScotland’s partnership-led approach, Scotland joins Ireland, the Netherlands, Finland and the Canary Islands in taking a destination-led approach to supporting the tourism and events industry on carbon measurement and climate action.
Unlike many schemes, businesses can access the support at no cost, combining carbon measurement through TRACE by isla with expert guidance, practical tools and peer-to-peer learning through the Climate Action Accelerator.
Participants benefit from access to climate specialists and support from fellow tourism and events operators, helping them turn carbon data into meaningful action. Alongside reducing emissions, businesses may identify opportunities to improve efficiency, lower energy use and reduce operating costs.
The carbon calculator supports industry delivery of the climate action ambitions set out in the national tourism strategy Scotland Outlook 2030 and VisitScotland's priorities, helping tourism and events businesses understand and reduce their emissions as Scotland progresses towards net zero.
While all Scottish tourism and events businesses will be able to access the carbon calculator through VisitScotland's Business Support Hub, businesses are encouraged to join the Climate Action Accelerator programme to gain the greatest benefit from the tool and translate results into action.