For more climate protection: Berlin develops climate roadmap for tourism

Berlin, 7 May 2025 Berlin is setting standards in sustainable city tourism: the capital is the first major German city to develop a comprehensive climate roadmap for tourism. Together with partners from the visitor economy and supported by the Berlin Senate, visitBerlin is starting to develop a plan for climate-resilient development in Berlin tourism and the congress industry. The new climate roadmap will serve as a strategic guideline for the tourism and event industry and shows concrete ways in which the tourism industry can contribute to Berlin's climate neutrality by 2045 at the latest.

Franziska Giffey, Mayor and Senator for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises: "Berlin aims to become climate-neutral by 2045 at the latest and we are taking a close look at every area to achieve this. According to the 'Global Destination Sustainability Index', Berlin is already one of the top 5 most sustainable metropolises in the world. The climate roadmap for tourism will now create a comprehensive set of data and develop a strategy to become even more sustainable in all aspects of a visit to Berlin - from hotel accommodation to departure. We are supporting this with funds from the Berlin Restart Programme for the Economy."

Sabine Wendt, Managing Director of visitBerlin: "Together with Berlin's tourism and convention industry, we want to ensure that Berlin remains a city worth living in and visiting in the future. This also includes tackling the challenges posed by global warming and implementing appropriate measures. The new climate roadmap will serve as a guide for our industry."

Core elements of the climate roadmap for Berlin tourism
In view of climate change, trends such as "coolcation", i.e. climate-friendly holiday experiences in less hot locations, are becoming increasingly important. All aspects of the tourism and event business are considered in the development of the climate roadmap: From travel and accommodation to on-site activities, from the planning of an event to its implementation. The aim is to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions. The roadmap therefore includes the following key components:

• Assessment of current emissions from Berlin tourism
• Analysis and strategies of the need for action for climate-resilient development in Berlin tourism
• Specification of necessary concrete climate protection measures to reduce CO₂ emissions in order to approach climate neutrality
• Introduction of measures, monitoring and continuous adaptation of measures

The aim is to increase the positive effects of tourism, reduce the negative ones and at the same time prepare the industry for the changes in climatic conditions. With its climate roadmap, Berlin is taking on a pioneering role among major German cities. Completion is planned for the end of 2025.

Together with industry representatives
visitBerlin is developing the Climate Roadmap as a joint project with partners from Berlin's tourism and event industry. Industry representatives are invited to contribute their perspectives and expertise. visitBerlin's mark for climate protection
visitBerlin is also cooperating internationally to develop sustainable strategies for destination management organisations. Together with more than 30 destinations, visitBerlin 2024 worked on measures to reduce CO₂ emissions and improve the tourist experience as part of the Destination Climate Champions Training Course.

In addition, visitBerlin introduced the offsetting of business flights in 2024. All 140 or so flights were fully offset, resulting in a total of 177,130 kilograms of CO₂ emissions being offset; the climate protection contribution made is used to promote the development and expansion of renewable energies in developing countries. For some time now, visitBerlin has been pursuing the goal of reducing air travel wherever possible and replacing it with more environmentally friendly alternatives. With this combination of avoidance and compensation, the company contributes to reducing the ecological footprint with international marketing and flights to around 34 countries and strengthens its commitment to a responsible and sustainable travel industry.

Further information
More about the climate roadmaphere and sustainable tourism development here. 
The visitBerlin website also has tips for a sustainable visit to Berlin.