The Councillor for Tourism at the Town Council, with technical support from the Institut Cerdà, carried out the decarbonisation project with companies in the tourist sector. This project has enabled the carbon footprint of 12 companies and activities in the local tourist sector to be calculated, as well as Sitges Town Council. Participants included companies and foundations from different fields such as museums, hotels, transport companies, nautical activity companies, ports, venues, sports clubs and major cultural events.

The goal of the programme is to measure and reduce emissions linked to tourist activity. With the programme now completed, each organisation received a personalised report including a detailed calculation of their carbon footprint and specific improvement suggestions to cut emissions, for instance the installation of renewable energy systems such as solar panelling, switching to LED lighting systems, improving the air-conditioning and efficiency of their buildings and backing electric mobility and the reuse of resources. For six months, participating businesses receive technical advice and follow-up support to implement improvements. They also get a control panel for annual monitoring, as well as the necessary indications for adhering to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.

The Councillor for Tourism, Xavier Ripoll, noted that “this programme represents a solid step in the transformation of the Sitges tourist model towards a more sustainable model, committed to climate action. Measuring the aggregate carbon footprint allows us to take decisions based on data and define specific improvements in the short to mid term”. The Councillor added that “collaboration between the public and private sectors is key to moving forward on decarbonisation goals and strengthening the position of Sitges as a responsible destination, aligned with global environmental challenges”.

The project concluded wit a training session aimed at the participating companies, which reinforced good practice in sustainability and consolidated the local tourist sector’s commitment on climate action.

These types of initiatives help to improve energy efficiency in the tourist sector, strengthening its resilience to climate change and consolidating the position of Sitges as a sustainable tourist destination.

About Destination Tourism Sustainability Plans – EU Next Generation

The Sitges Destination Tourism Sustainability Plan (DTSP) – EU Next Generation received five million euros in May 2023, as part of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. The decarbonisation programme falls within area 2 of the energy efficiency improvement of the DTSP and contributes to the tourist transformation model promoted by Sitges Town Council based on a more sustainable, competitive, inclusive and smart destination.

Eleven projects are currently being developed in areas such as the green and sustainable transition, energy efficiency, the digital transition and competitiveness. These town projects go beyond the tourist sphere. The end date is 30 June 2026. The idea behind these actions is to improve local residents’ quality of life and the experience of visitors.