On Tuesday, 4 March, Helsinki was granted the Green Destinations GSTC certificate, which is one more step towards its goal of becoming the world’s most sustainable travel destination. Helsinki is the first city with over half a million residents to receive this certificate.
Helsinki received the Green Destinations GSTC certificate, which meets the strictest criteria of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) for a sustainable travel destination. Achieving it essentially requires full compliance with the criteria.
There are over 280 items in the GSTC criteria that cover all areas of sustainability. The criteria examine operations from the perspectives of environmental, cultural, social and economic sustainability and sustainable governance.
Certificate demonstrates Helsinki’s commitment to promoting sustainability in every area
Created in 2007, the GSTC criteria have been developed in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Foundation (UN Foundation), the United Nations Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Rainforest Alliance, among others.
EU prepares to curb misleading green claims – certifications important for Helsinki
The European Union is working to tighten its legislation on environmental claims. Its aim is to prevent misleading greenwashing and to ensure that environmental claims made to consumers are based on reliable and verified information. New rules will require companies to provide more detailed justifications for environmental friendliness, which will boost transparency and help consumers make more sustainable choices.
“For that very reason, Helsinki makes every effort to prove the veracity of its sustainability work. This is why the Global Destination Sustainability Index and Green Destinations certificate are important,” Vesterinen points out.
Learn more about Helsinki as an event destination here.
