Climate Roadmap for Berlin Tourism
Why a climate roadmap?
Tourism businesses have the potential to make an important contribution to climate action and adaptation. With their reach and innovative capacity, they can help drive sustainable solutions and shape the future of the industry. However, Berlin's Energy and Climate Protection Programme (BEK) does not yet provide sufficient sector-specific guidance on which measures are most effective for tourism and the meetings and events industry.
To support Berlin's tourism and events industry in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change, the Berlin Senate is funding the development of a Climate Roadmap. Based on scientific research, the roadmap has been developed through a participatory process involving representatives from across the industry. It translates Berlin's citywide climate goals into action for the tourism value chain.
The Climate Roadmap addresses two key challenges: reducing tourism-related greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening climate resilience. As a strategic framework, it aims to show how Berlin's tourism and events industry can contribute to the city's goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2045 at the latest, while preparing for the impacts of climate change.
visitBerlin is supported in this project by:
BTE Tourismus- und Regionalberatung
ZENAT - Centre for Sustainable Tourism
Professor Dr Stefan Gössling, climate change and tourism expert
Key elements of the project
The Climate Roadmap is based on two scientific analyses: a comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions assessment of Berlin's tourism and MICE industry, including emissions scenarios, and a tourism-specific climate risk assessment. The latter examines how climate change may affect different areas of the tourism and events industry and identifies where adaptation is particularly needed.
The scientific findings were combined with insights from an extensive stakeholder engagement process involving representatives from Berlin's tourism and MICE industry and public administration. Based on these findings, specific areas for action and measures for climate change mitigation and adaptation were developed and assessed in terms of their priority, potential effectiveness, effort required and timeframe.
The Climate Roadmap will be accompanied by a practical guide for businesses, bringing together relevant funding programmes, advisory services, useful tools and best-practice examples. It aims to help businesses identify and implement suitable measures within their own operations.
Key components of the climate roadmap:
- Greenhouse gas emissions assessment and emissions scenarios for Berlin tourism, including the MICE industry
- Tourism-specific climate risk assessment to identify climate impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptation needs
- Development of concrete measures across seven areas of action for climate change mitigation and four areas for climate adaptation
- Assessment and prioritisation of measures, including the identification of potential stakeholders involved in implementation
- Recommendations for implementation and ongoing monitoring
Project timeline and current status
May 2025: The first stakeholder workshop on the Climate Roadmap brought together numerous representatives from tourism, the events industry and public administration. Participants explored different climate action scenarios and discussed initial industry-specific requirements for the roadmap.
September 2025: Six focus group workshops were held with representatives from Berlin's tourism and MICE industry. Participants discussed concrete measures for operational climate action and developed ideas for climate adaptation across the following sectors: accommodation, food services, MICE and events, culture and indoor attractions, leisure and outdoor activities, and water-based tourism.
November 2025: A further participatory workshop was organised to involve climate protection and tourism officers from Berlin's districts, providing an opportunity to contribute their perspectives and experience to the development of the roadmap.
December 2025: The scientific findings and foundations of the Climate Roadmap for Berlin Tourism were presented during an event on the visitBerlin TourismusHub. The presentation covered both the greenhouse gas emissions assessment and the tourism-specific climate risk analysis. You can watch a recording of the event here (registration required).
Current status (October 2026): Based on the scientific analyses and the results of the stakeholder engagement process, the Climate Roadmap has been developed, outlining concrete measures for climate change mitigation and adaptation. The content is currently being finalised and prepared for publication. According to the current schedule, the Climate Roadmap and its accompanying documents are expected to be published in November 2026.
Do you already have specific questions about the scientific foundations, methodology or findings of the analyses? Please feel free to get in touch! You will find our contact details at the bottom of this page.
What can the Climate Roadmap offer your business?
- The Climate Roadmap aims to support Berlin's tourism and events businesses in identifying effective measures for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
- It outlines key areas for action, provides guidance on potential measures and takes into account the different needs of the industry.
- An accompanying practical guide will bring together relevant support services, funding opportunities, tools and best-practice examples.
- By linking scientific findings with practical recommendations, the Climate Roadmap aims to help Berlin's tourism and events industry become more climate-friendly and climate-resilient.
