Climate change is no longer a future challenge for tourism destinations—it is already reshaping how and where people travel. Rising temperatures, water scarcity, extreme weather events, and changing visitor patterns are placing increasing pressure on destinations across Europe. While many tourism stakeholders recognize the need for climate action, turning scientific evidence into practical and effective mitigation measures remains a significant challenge.

This interactive interview will explore how tourism destinations can move from understanding climate risks to implementing meaningful solutions. Bringing together leading experts from both the scientific and tourism communities, the session will showcase practical approaches, tools, and real-world experiences that can help destinations reduce their climate impact while strengthening their long-term resilience and competitiveness.

Whether you are a destination manager, policymaker, tourism professional, or sustainability practitioner, this session will provide valuable insights into the latest climate evidence, emerging policy developments, and actionable strategies that can be applied in different tourism contexts.

What to expect

Through a dynamic moderated interview format, participants will hear directly from experts working at the forefront of climate mitigation and tourism sustainability. The discussion will combine a European policy perspective with practical methodologies that destinations can use to identify priorities, assess risks, and implement climate action plans.

Agenda

• Welcome and Introduction
  An overview of the session objectives and the role of climate mitigation within the T4T Green Subgroup.

• Interview 1: European Perspective on Climate Mitigation in Tourism (EEA)
  Exploring the latest climate trends affecting tourism in Europe, key mitigation priorities, and the policy landscape supporting climate action.

• Interview 2: From Risk Assessment to Action – The CELTH Approach
  A practical look at how destinations can translate climate risk assessments into concrete mitigation measures using applied methodologies and tools.

• Joint Reflection and Audience Q&A
  An interactive discussion connecting policy, science, and practice, with opportunities for participants to engage directly with the speakers.

• Key Takeaways and Closing Remarks
  A summary of the main insights, recommendations, and next steps for tourism destinations pursuing climate action.

Speakers and Moderator

The session will be moderated by Ralf Pastleitner, Head of TUI Group Corporate Office EU and Chair of the T4T Expert Group on the Green Transition and will feature contributions from experts from the European Environment Agency (EEA) and CELTH (Centre of Expertise Leisure, Tourism & Hospitality).