Course Content
Unit 1 – International framework: Agenda 2030, SDGs and UNWTO
Objective Enable learners to connect global frameworks to actionable tourism policies and understand their role in sustainability planning. Skill developed Ability to interpret SDGs and translate them into local tourism policy actions.
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Unit 1 – International framework: Agenda 2030, SDGs and UNWTO
Agenda 2030 e SDGs
UNWTO and Sustainability in Tourism
Additional contents – useful links
Hotel Energy Solutions (HES) 
SDG TEST PAGE
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Unit 2 – European framework: Green Deal, Tourism Transition Pathway, EU directives & ESG
Objective Understand how EU strategic frameworks shape sustainability in tourism and how ESG supports compliance and competitiveness. Skills Developed Across this module, learners develop a solid understanding of the multi-level regulatory ecosystem shaping sustainable tourism—from global SDGs and UNWTO guidance to the EU Green Deal and Tourism Transition Pathway, and down to national/regional strategies. They learn to interpret policies, understand their intent, and identify how they influence tourism practices and decision-making. They also gain the ability to align actions with SDGs, policy priorities and ESG principles through guided, auto-validated exercises. Additionally, learners become familiar with voluntary sustainability systems (GSTC, ETIS, ECST) and recognise their role in improving coherence, monitoring and continuous improvement. The module strengthens policy-oriented thinking, governance awareness and the capacity to frame tourism issues within broader strategic and regulatory references—competencies that support more effective planning, compliance and collaboration across tourism stakeholders
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European Green Deal & Tourism Transition Pathway (TTP)
EXERCISE
EU Directives, ESG & Policy Impact on Tourism
Additional contents – useful links
02.1 Regulatory Strategic Reference Framework and Policies

Hotel Energy Solutions (HES) – https://www.untourism.int/hotel-energy-solution-  is a UN Tourism-initiated project in collaboration with a team of United Nations and EU leading agencies in Tourism and Energy. The project delivers information, technical support & training to help Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism and accommodation sector across the EU 27 to increase their energy efficiency and renewable energy usage.

HES responds to climate imperatives in line with EU targets and the Davos Process 2007, which stipulate the required actions for the tourism sector:

  • adapting tourism businesses and destinations to changing climate conditions
  • mitigating greenhouse gas emissions
  • supporting investments in energy efficiency and usage of renewable energy resources and technologies.

What is HES?

The hotel sector is one of the tourism industry’s largest drivers of employment and economic revenue but at the same time it is one of the most energy-intensive. In fact, hotels and other types of accommodation account for 2% of the 5% global CO2 emitted by the tourism sector.

The project’s focus on SMEs is particularly important, as the utilization of out-dated technologies, lack of human and financial resources and a limited awareness and knowledge on greener alternatives may all be contributing to decreasing their competitiveness. In addition, SMEs are usually less proactive about the environment in comparison to larger hotel chains.

Helping the sector respond to the challenges of climate change is thereby necessary.

Why HES?

The project seeks to bridge the existent gap between available Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy technologies and their actual use in SMEs.

In response to the challenge of climate change, HES provides an online mitigation toolkit: the HES e-toolkit to help hotels reduce their carbon footprint and operations costs, thus increasing business profits. The project demonstrates how:

  • SMEs can be more competitive by cutting on energy.
  • Destinations can shape their policies to increase sustainability.
  • Technology Providers can create new business by targeting and servicing hotels.

E-Toolkit

The easy-to-use and free of charge e-toolkit provides hoteliers with a report assessing their current energy use, and recommends appropriate renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. It further suggests what savings on operating expenses hotels can expect from green investments through a Return on Investments Calculator.

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