Valencia, Spain, has been recognised as a best practice by the Sustainable EU Tourism project for its pioneering climate strategy in tourism.

Once a former industrial hub, the city now welcomes over 2.3 million visitors annually and has placed climate action at the heart of its transformation. In 2018, Valencia launched the Valencia 2030 Climate Mission, aiming to become a climate-neutral and smart city by 2030. This vision was supported by Visit València’s declaration of a Climate Emergency and the development of a carbon footprint measurement system, making it the first city worldwide to calculate emissions across all tourism activities.

Through close collaboration with environmental experts, businesses, and the local community, Valencia has introduced measures such as renewable energy expansion, electric transport networks, energy audits for companies, and cooperation with airlines to promote sustainable fuels. 

The results are already visible: between 2023 and 2024, CO2 emissions fell by 8%, while the initiative fostered a strong sense of community engagement and enhanced Valencia’s reputation as a sustainable tourism destination.

Valencia’s experience shows how political will, smart technology, and cross-sector collaboration can transform a destination into a climate leader. 

For more details on the key challenges the destination has faced, and the solutions implemented to address them, please refer to the attached document.