ESG Framework for Tourism & Hospitality

The ESG framework gives tourism and hospitality businesses a structured way to understand, improve and demonstrate their sustainability performance.

The criteria were developed by international sustainability experts and focus on the environmental, social and governance issues most relevant to tourism and hospitality.

Together, these areas show that sustainability is about more than environmental impact. It also includes how a business supports people and how responsibly it is managed.

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Environmental

How your business manages its impact on the natural environment, including energy and carbon, water, waste, biodiversity, transport and responsible sourcing.

Social

How your business affects employees, customers, suppliers and local communities, including wellbeing, inclusion, accessibility, community engagement and responsible employment practices.

Governance

How sustainability is led and managed across your business through clear policies, monitoring, reporting, accountability and processes that support continual improvement.

Turning ESG principles into practical action

Green Tourism Certified translates ESG principles into practical criteria designed for tourism and hospitality. The framework considers the full range of sustainability issues affecting the sector, including;

  • environmental performance
  • people & communities
  • governance
  • day-to-day operations

The criteria focus on what your business does, how it manages each area and the evidence that demonstrates progress. This structure helps you identify opportunities, take practical action and embed sustainability across your operations.

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The Ten Modules

Module 1

Travel & Transport

Travel can be a major source of tourism emissions. This module looks at how you help guests, staff and suppliers choose lower-emission options, including public transport, active travel and electric vehicles, alongside the management of business travel and staff commuting.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Module 2

Energy & Water

Energy and water efficiency can reduce environmental impact and operating costs. This module covers building performance, energy and water use, conservation measures, wastewater management and renewable energy, helping you manage resources effectively and identify opportunities for improvement.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Module 3

Waste

Preventing waste can reduce environmental impact and avoid unnecessary costs. This module covers food waste, procurement, storage and service, together with the responsible management of materials and single-use items. It helps businesses reduce waste at source and improve how remaining waste is handled.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Module 4

Nature

This module looks at how your business can protect and support nature. It covers lower-impact food choices, native planting, wildlife-friendly habitats and long-term biodiversity conservation, helping you reduce harm and contribute positively to the natural places on which tourism depends.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Module 5

Wellbeing

This module covers the policies and practices that support staff and guest wellbeing. It brings together training, equality and inclusion, accessibility, human rights, wellbeing, and health and safety. Together, these measures help create an environment where people feel respected, supported and safe.

SOCIAL

Module 6

Community

This module focuses on the relationship between tourism businesses and their local communities. It covers support for social and environmental projects, charities and local campaigns, helping businesses contribute to the places where they operate and build stronger community connections.

SOCIAL

Module 7

Visitor Experiences

This module integrates sustainability into the visitor experience. It covers local culture, events, food and authentic experiences, support for local businesses and livelihoods, responsible activities, and ways to encourage walking, cycling and other lower-impact ways to explore.

SOCIAL

Module 8

Policy & Communication

This module covers the commitments and communication that underpin credible sustainability activity. It includes setting and reviewing policies, reporting performance accurately, engaging guests and staff, and responding constructively to feedback from customers, employees and the wider community.

GOVERNANCE

Module 9

Monitoring

This module covers the measurement of energy, water, waste and carbon emissions. Regular monitoring helps businesses identify savings, detect problems, track performance and plan reductions. It also supports preparation for the operational and financial risks associated with climate change.

GOVERNANCE

Module 10

Operations

This module focuses on the systems that embed sustainability in everyday operations. It covers action planning, responsible procurement, sustainable meetings and events, and the use of safer cleaning products, helping businesses turn commitments into consistent working practices.

GOVERNANCE

Each module is driven by a robust set of criteria, specifically aligned to your type and size of business. These criteria sit within Green Tourism Certified, our sustainability certification programme for tourism and hospitality. If you would like to see the requirements in detail, visit The Criteria page, or read the Certification FAQ for more about how the programme, audit and certification process work.

Start your sustainability journey today.