Visit Bergen is an eco-lighthouse
At Visit Bergen one of our core focuses is to minimize our emissions and our overall carbon footprints. To work systematically with this, we have been certified as an eco-lighthouse since 2020. In our annual climate and carbon reports we provide a yearly overview of the aspects of our carbon footprint that are large or small.
Based on this we can make informed decisions on what actions are necessary to reduce our footprint. We have, among other things, implemented sensory driven lights that reduce our energy consumption, as well as having a travel policy that aim to minimize our travel emissions as best possible.
We are a climate neutral company
As we try to reduce our direct and indirect emissions and total carbon footprint, we are faced with the dilemma of cutting emissions whilst not negatively affecting the services provided to our members. As of now, we are not able to cut all our emissions entirely. To become completely carbon neutral, we therefore compensate for our remaining emissions by buying the EU`s EUA-quotas and the UN`s CER-quotas. Furthermore, we compensate for our individual air travels directly through the airlines. See our certificates at the end of this page.
We offer students work experience
An important part of sustainability is also to contribute to the local community. Since 2021 we have collaborated with the University of Bergen to provide internship for students at the department of comparative politics.
Through this collaboration we are strengthening our ties with the local university, at the same time as we contribute to students’ educational careers. One of the ambitions is to give future employees better insight into the different career opportunities that exists in the tourism industry.
The students are part of Visit Bergens sustainability team, participate in our daily operations and write an independent internship assignment.
Driving others to become more sustainable
Visit Bergen is committed to be a driving force for a more sustainable future. But as a small-scale business, it is through influencing others that we can have a greater impact. That is why we prefer environmentally certified suppliers and products. By using our purchasing power, we help to drive a demand for suppliers that are sustainability certified. In 2021, we spent 67% of our purchasing volume on third-part eco-labelled goods and services and we strive to increase this to 100%!
For our guests we provide information on how to travel more responsible and environmentally friendly. Among other things, we highlight eco-friendly tourism enterprises on visitBergen.com and in our printed brochures. For our members we facilitate increased collaboration, sustainability training and guidance. And we also work closely with the public sector on urban development and visitor management.
Read more about our work on more sustainable tourism here.
Certificates and reports:
Eco-lighthouse certificate 2020 - 2023
Climate- and environmental report 2021 (in Norwegian)
Climate compensation 2020
Climate compensation 2021 (in Norwegian)
For more information or questions, please contact Project Manager Sustainability, Magnus Brekke Nygaard in Visit Bergen by email magnus@visitBergen.com
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