Join the GSTC European Climate Pact Week Event

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) will co-host a special event during European Climate Pact Week 2026 titled “Building Climate-Resilient Destinations: Integrating Climate Indicators into Sustainability Standards.” The event will bring together policymakers, tourism leaders, destination managers, and sustainability experts to discuss how tourism destinations can strengthen climate resilience and align with Europe’s climate objectives. 

Taking place on Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 09:00 to 13:00 at the Puglia Region Headquarters in Brussels (Rue du Trône 62, Fourth Floor, 1050 Brussels), participants will explore how tourism destinations can integrate climate mitigation, risk assessment, and adaptation indicators into sustainability standards to better address climate challenges such as extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, and infrastructure vulnerability.

GSTC at European Climate Action Day Event

As Europe advances its climate agenda, including the proposed EU 2040 climate targets, the EU Adaptation Strategy, the first-ever EU strategy for sustainable tourism, and a growing framework for climate resilience and risk management, tourism stakeholders must strengthen their capacity to both reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts. Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) are uniquely positioned to translate EU climate ambitions into concrete local actions, ensuring tourism development contributes to resilient communities and ecosystems. 

The event will highlight the importance of collaborative approaches that engage local authorities, tourism businesses, residents, and visitors in shaping climate-resilient destinations. In particular, discussions will focus on how the ongoing revision of the GSTC Destination Standard can further align with EU climate priorities and support tourism as a driver of community-based climate action and long-term resilience. 

The program will include presentations and panel discussions with representatives from the GSTC, the Puglia Region, EU organizations, and GSTC-Certified destinations, and tourism businesses. The event is an official European Climate Action Day Event, promoted by a European Climate Pact Ambassador in collaboration with the GSTC and hosted by the Puglia Region.

Participation is open to tourism and sustainability professionals interested in strengthening climate resilience in destinations across Europe.

For questions about the event, please contact wendy[@]gstc.org