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Step up your sustainability

Save money, reduce your environmental impact, support your local community and win more customers with our sustainability guide and inspirational case studies.

VisitBritain/The Green House Hotel, Bournemouth, Grounded Enterprises

Close up of vegetable plants being planted out at the Green House Hotel, Bournemouth

Sustainability makes business sense

Take a look at our BETTER BUSINESS case studies for inspiration from those who have taken the lead in improving sustainability and seen real business benefit as a result 

Being a better business

The businesses featured are drawn from across England. We’ve included everything from activity providers and holiday parks, to museums and stately homes. We’ve selected a range of businesses that have one thing in common - they’ve all built sustainability into the heart of their operations. And they’re all better businesses as a result. 

Whatever stage you’re at on your sustainability journey, you’ll find ideas and inspiration to help you take the next step. You may even realise that you’re already doing more than you think!

If you’re already acting to improve sustainability

Learn how to promote your credentials and stay up to date with advertising regulations with our Communicating Sustainability toolkit.

We show you how to access funding and/or apply for a certification scheme.

Getting started: Simple steps to sustainability

It’s easy to become more sustainable. Saving energy, cutting water usage and reducing waste are all things you can do to help the environment while also reducing your running costs. Here’s some free and simple-to-use resources that’ll help you get started in sustainability:

The basics

If you’re new to sustainability the World Travel and Tourism Council has outlined the key basics to address in your business.

The background

What is sustainable tourism and how can you apply its key principles to your business? This brief from the Travel Foundation gives a neat overview.

Top tips for coastal businesses

Start your journey to sustainability, with these top 10 tips from the National Coastal Tourism Academy.

Special advice for small businesses

Discover how you can make a difference with a suite of sustainability resources designed by the Federation of Small Businesses.

Going beyond the sustainability basics

Useful resources on saving energy.

Hotel energy calculator

Measure your energy usage with this free online tool from Hotel Energy Solutions for hoteliers.

Uncover energy inefficiencies

Measure energy usage in your hospitality business, with accredited data-management platform Con-Serve.

Energy saving advice for hotels

This guide from The Carbon Trust introduces the main energy saving opportunities for the hospitality sector and demonstrates how simple actions save energy, cut costs and increase profit margins.

VisitEngland Webinar

Watch this recording of our VisitEngland Webinar - Cut energy, save money and reduce carbon emissions with experts in energy procurement and billing, energy saving and renewables installation.

Smart meter and energy tips for small businesses

Explore money and energy-saving tips suitable for small businesses from Smart Energy GB.

Renewable energy options

Find out more about what’s available when it comes to generating your own energy.

Business and Commercial Energy Explained

Learn more about Business & Commercial Energy with TCD Energy.

The journey to Net Zero

The UK has made a commitment to net zero: that means us reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 100% (from 1990 levels) by 2050. Here you’ll find useful resources on measuring your carbon footprint and reducing your climate impacts.

Save energy and reduce climate change impacts

Grow your knowledge of carbon impacts in the hotel industry, calculate your own emissions, and understand the business case for low-carbon hotels with this suite of resources from the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.

Calculate your carbon footprint in 5 minutes

Take this free online test from ClimateHero and discover how to go carbon neutral, in just minutes.

Calculate your greenhouse gas emissions

Work out your greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with this free tool from Greenhouse Gas Protocol and World Resources Institute.

Join Emission Possible

Get on board with the World Wildlife Fund’s campaign Emission Possible and learn how to report your carbon emissions and make sector-specific changes.

Reduce your food business’ impact

Find tools to measure and reduce your carbon footprint in your food business, with Foodsteps’ platform.

Low carbon transport

Promote car-free travel to your business by signing up to website Good Journey, for car-free adventures around the UK.

Plan your net zero journey

Get a how-to guide for small businesses on achieving net zero, with Zero Carbon Business.

Make a climate commitment

Join thousands of UK businesses reducing emissions and setting a sustainability strategy to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, with this initiative by the UK Business Climate Hub.

Visit the Zero Carbon Business Portal

Access a sustainability hub, with articles, information and advice for small businesses to reach net zero, from the National Federation of Self Employed and Small Businesses (FSB).

Turn your SME Net Zero Now

Join the online platform Net Zero Now, which helps small businesses achieve net zero as soon as possible, with sector-specific advice.

Visit the Net Zero Hub

For a simple approach to going net-zero, visit Inspired Energy’s Net Zero Hub, with an online plan builder and advice.

PDF

Measure your emissions

Read this guide for small business users on how to measure and report your greenhouse gas emissions, from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Download (257.16 KB)

Water

The tourism industry uses more than its fair share of water. In fact, it’s estimated that in some areas visitors use up to eight times as much water as local residents. Learn how to protect wildlife and manage water usage responsibly.

Practice responsible water stewardship

Use this hotel water measurement tool from the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance to foster responsible water usage.

Practical suggestions to reduce water use

Detailed, sector-specific information and tips on how to run a sustainable tourism business.

Water recycling and reuse

The Water Efficiency Network provides useful information on greywater recycling.

Busting the myths about water reuse

Find useful explanations of terminology and information on various water reuse approaches from the UK’s water efficiency organisation, Water Wise.

Sewage treatment and composting toilets

Find out if reedbed-sewage treatment could work, and learn about water free toilets from the Centre for Alternative technology.

Water scarcity and tourism

We Are Water Foundation shares lots of information and advice on how to cut water usage.

Toilet twinning

Support rural communities in the developing nations without access to running water by twinning your toilet.

Waste

Around 30% of all food produced, is wasted (1.8 billion tonnes per year). This contributes around 8% of total greenhouse gas emissions – more than the entire aviation sector. Find out about how to reduce your impact, while helping your business commercially and environmentally.

Reduce food waste and save money

Find out how to cut food waste with the Food Waste Reduction Toolkit from The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

Specific advice for the restaurant sector

The Sustainable Restaurant Association connects businesses around the world to accelerate change towards a hospitality sector that is socially progressive and environmentally restorative.

Cutting single-use plastics

Travel Without Plastic estimates an average hotel consumes around half a million individual pieces of single-use plastic each year. They offer a range of free or low-cost resources to help hospitality businesses reduce plastic.

Reducing electronic waste

Stem the rising tide of electronic waste with advice and information from the Energy Saving Trust.

Act on textile waste

Textile waste is increasing in England, and is relevant to the tourism sector which uses textiles for uniforms and furnishings. Find out how to reduce textile waste.

Planning for the long term

You’ll find a range of useful resources here, from sustainability calculators to sustainable accommodation.

Sustainability tools and calculators

Plenty of practical tools from the British Business Bank.

Get a tailored sustainability action plan from Plan it with Purpose

Receive an action plan for your business with the sustainability discovery tool from Enterprise Nation.

PDF

Design sustainable accommodation

Read the National Forest design guide for sustainable accommodation.

Download (11.72 MB)

Find funding for sustainability improvements

Access available funds to help you on your sustainable journey, with these resources.

Government funding to help your business become greener

Access some of the £5 billion allocated for businesses in order to meet net zero by 2050.

The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) for accommodation businesses

Find information about the WCS £350-per-socket grant for charitable organisations and small accommodation businesses to buy and install electric vehicle (EV) charge points.

Grant schemes for electric vehicle charging infrastructure

The government offers grants to support the wider use of electric and hybrid vehicles via the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). Read guidance on government grants for the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Clean Growth Financing from Lloyds

Learn more about Lloyds Bank’s Clean Growth Financing Initiative, offering discounted lending for sustainable purposes.

Market your sustainability

Promoting your sustainability credentials shows that you are serious about sustainability and attracts more customers. Find out more about sustainability certification and promotion here.

Promote your business with our Communicating Sustainability guide

Learn how to tell people about your eco credentials and use your business’ sustainability to attract more customers.

Sustainability certifications

There are a range of certifications suitable for tourism businesses. Find out which is right for you.

Find a Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)-recognised award

The GSTC manages global standards for sustainable travel and tourism, and acts as the international accreditation body. Check which certifications apply sustainability standards that are recognised or accredited by the GSTC here.

Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) Greenwashing Regulations

Establish what you can and can’t say and find information about new regulations on how to avoid misleading or confusing customers.

Sign up to the Good Business Charter’s small business programme

Find out how to get Good Business Charter accreditation, for small businesses with less than 50 employees.

Learn more about the ban on single-use plastics in England

From 1 October 2023 businesses must no longer supply, sell or offer certain single-use plastic items in England, including plates, bowls, trays, containers, cutlery and balloon sticks.

Apply for a sustainability award

Proud of the sustainability changes and innovations you have made? Why not enter an awards programme for even more recognition?

The King’s Awards for Enterprise

Apply for The King’s Awards for Enterprise for Sustainable Development.

WTM Global Responsible Tourism Awards

Apply for the World Travel Market (WTM) Global Responsible Tourism Awards for a chance of world-recognition in categories such as reducing plastic waste.

VisitEngland Awards for Excellence

Enter the sustainability category in your local awards for the chance of national recognition at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

More sustainability resources and courses

Find further information on sustainability initiatives, networks and training courses to expand your knowledge.

UN information on sustainability in tourism

For the latest research and information on global sustainability initiatives, keep up to date with The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), from the UN.

Understand environmental sustainability

Learn the principles of sustainable development, communities, energy management and the responsibility of business with this free course.

Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency

Join Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency and publish your commitment to develop an action plan, share your progress and cut carbon emissions.

Considerate Hoteliers

Join the Considerate Hoteliers community and enjoy membership accreditation, web listing, advice and support.

Tourism for SDGs

Learn more about the Tourism for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) platform, set up by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNTWO).

UNWTO

Online training in sustainable supply chain management.

Certificate in Sustainable Tourism

Become certified in sustainable tourism with The Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

Sustainability Business Recovery webinar

Watch the VisitBritain Sustainability Business Recovery webinar to learn about the challenges we face as an industry and how to build a sustainable future.