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. 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 innovative 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.
“Tourism must play a responsible and forward-looking role in Belfast’s net zero transition,” stated Gerry Lennon, Chief Executive of Visit Belfast. “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.
Yannick Cabrol, Director of Economic Advisory Services at EY, said “Visit Belfast’s initiative to develop a tourism carbon footprint is among the most comprehensive we’ve encountered in the sector. This pioneering approach will provide the city with the robust evidence base needed to make informed, strategic decisions and to shape a sustainable decarbonisation pathway. Belfast can be considered a relatively low-carbon destination, largely because its largest visitor markets, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, are its closest-to-home markets.”
Chris Martin, Head of Sustainability at Danske Bank, expressed pride in supporting this initiative, emphasising the need for ongoing assistance. “The findings highlight that while we’ve made progress, access to green finance, policy alignment, and incentives are vital to fast-track the tourism sector’s transition to a low-carbon future.”
Councillor Michael Donnelly, Chair, Belfast City Council Climate and City Resilience Committee, added, “Belfast is dedicated to becoming an inclusive, climate-resilient, and zero-emissions city within a generation. Visit Belfast’s work reinforces that ambition by showcasing how the tourism industry can facilitate equitable, low-carbon growth that benefits local communities while minimizing environmental impact.”
This initiative is just the beginning. 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 robust 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.
