In a move towards a sustainable future, Visit Belfast has unveiled a carbon footprint model aimed at measuring the carbon impact of tourism alongside the economic and social impacts of the sector in the city.
This initiative was launched at the Belfast Sustainable Leaders – Pathways to Net Zero event, held at ICC Belfast, marking a significant step in the city’s commitment to sustainable tourism growth.
Tourism is a vital cornerstone of Belfast’s economy and community, boasting overwhelming support from local residents and businesses alike and as the city sets its sights on expanding its tourism sector, the emphasis on responsible growth has never been more crucial.
Visit Belfast’s new model integrates environmental metrics with economic and social data, offering a comprehensive view of tourism’s impact in the city.
This triple bottom line approach ensures that decisions about tourism expansion are rooted in environmental integrity, economic stability, and community welfare, aligning Belfast with global best practices and safeguarding its sector for future changes in policy and public expectation.
Gerry Lennon, chief executive of Visit Belfast said: Tourism must play a responsible and forward-looking role in Belfast’s net zero transition.”
He added: “Our goal is to ensure that future growth aligns with our shared responsibilities to people, planet, and place. Through data-driven governance and citywide collaboration, we can maximise tourism’s positive impact while actively reducing its environmental footprint.”
The carbon model, developed by Visit Belfast in partnership with EY and funded by Danske Bank and Belfast City Council, reveals that the tourism sector generated 485 kilotonnes of CO₂e in 2023, a 10% reduction from 2019 levels.
This decrease is largely attributed to the resurgence of domestic travel from Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, which produces significantly lower travel-related emissions compared to long-haul tourism.
Unlike many destinations grappling with the challenges of overtourism, Belfast enjoys an impressive level of public support.
A recent survey, commissioned by Visit Belfast and conducted by FN Research found that 92% of local residents believe that tourism is beneficial to the city, fostering local businesses, enriching cultural landscapes, and bolstering Belfast’s global standing.
The tourism industry is taking proactive steps towards sustainability, with 96% of Visit Belfast partners surveyed adopting sustainable practices and 51% already measuring carbon emissions. Major infrastructure providers are also leading by example.
Belfast Harbour is already 70% of the way to net zero, while Belfast International Airport is delivering a phased decarbonisation plan aligned with VINCI Airports’ global net-zero targets, including the use of low-emission fuels, deployment of electric vehicles, and investment in biodiversity initiatives, all contributing to future-proofing operations and driving long-term environmental and economic resilience.
However, to propel this momentum further, Belfast’s tourism sector will require sustained support through funding, financial incentives, and strategic policy alignment.
This initiative is just the beginning and Visit Belfast aims to establish a Tourism Net Zero Working Group to unite the sector and develop a shared roadmap for decarbonization, backed by both public and private stakeholders.
With this foundation, Belfast is poised to monitor tourism’s environmental footprint, guide future policy, and unlock investments that ensure tourism continues to thrive for the economy, the environment, and the people of Belfast.
