How we work towards sustainability

Sustainability has been one of the pillars of VisitOSLO’s business strategy since 2016. We want our efforts to contribute towards a healthy and sustainable tourism development that benefits the visitors as well as the residents, and ensure that Oslo’s hospitality industry stays competitive and equipped for future expectations and requirements from both visitors and important stakeholders.

By healthy and sustainable tourism development, we mean that the destination should experience long-term economic growth, while ensuring that the industry’s negative impact on the environment and society are reduced to a minimum.

Tourism & The Sustainable Development Goals

The 2030 Agenda is the world's collective plan of action for sustainable development. It is concretised through 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 sub-goals that apply to all countries. The tourism industry can – and should – be an important contributor to achieve the goals and can, directly or indirectly, contribute to all 17 goals.

However, not all sub-goals are equally relevant in the Norwegian context. VisitOSLO has therefore defined a selection of sustainability goals that the tourism industry in Oslo can influence through efforts and strategic measures. In particular, we consider SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals, as important in our work.

Colorful circular wheel diagram showing Tourism's connection to all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

VisitOSLO’s prioritised sustainability goals

SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth
SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13: Climate action
SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals

In addition, we are cognisant of the fact that our work should contribute positively to SDG 3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 14 & 15.

How the City of Oslo is working towards sustainability

Oslo is working towards becoming one of the greenest cities in the world, and a leader in sustainable development.

You can read more about the City of Oslo’s strategic long-term development in Oslo’s municipal plan, and more specifically how Oslo plans to make the city fossil free in Oslo’s climate strategy. In addition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the policies and plans also aim to create an inclusive city full of life with cleaner air, more bicycle paths and even better public transport.

In 2023, the municipality of Oslo launched its strategy for Oslo as a sustainable tourist destination.

Read below about some of the milestones the City of Oslo has achieved in the last few years.

It should be easy to choose sustainable options in Oslo

We acknowledge that VisitOSLO has considerable power of influence to set new standards, initiate change and drive more sustainable behaviour. Therefore, we are conscious of how we communicate and portray questions regarding environmental issues and sustainability.

The travellers of today are increasingly concerned with sustainability, and we expect that this trend will continue in the future. Demand for sustainable travel products continues to grow. Several independent studies confirm that an increasing share of travellers wants to travel in a sustainable manner, and that sustainability also affects travel choices.

VisitOSLO is constantly working to simplify for travellers to make sustainable choices by providing correct information and the right inspiration, so that everyone gets an optimal stay in Oslo.

For this reason, we have created guides for vintage stores, restaurants, accommodations and activies that have a clear environmental profile and focus on sustainability.

Oslo should be accessible to everyone, which is why we have gathered information about the accessibility of various services in an accessibility guide.

How to travel sustainable

We have also created a guide for how to be a responsible tourist in order to encourage visitors to have a positive impact on the destination. In this context, we have conducted a survey to gives an overview of sustainability efforts within the tourism and hospitality industry. At visitoslo.com the visitor can filter restaurants, hotels, museums, and attractions based on sustainability indicators and filters. Read more about the Visit Oslo Responsibly-criteria:

Guide Against Greenwashing

VisitOSLO has signed the Guide Against Greenwashing, which means that we commit to do our utmost to uphold the principles presented in the guide in our advertising, marketing and general communication.

Certifications

We encourage the use of sustainability certified actors to make sure that they take responsibility and comply the minimal requirements. In Oslo, about 95% of hotels, venues and suppliers have a third-party certification.

The most common certifications among the hospitality industry in Oslo

ISO 14001

ISO 14000 is a series of standards that was established to help businesses minimise negative impact on the environment (with regard to pollution of air, water or land), by accepting laws and regulations. In several countries these standards function as technical foundations for environmental legislation. The material included in the ISO 14000 standards are quite extensive.

The Eco-Lighthouse

The Eco-Lighthouse provides businesses with useful tools to concretely work towards sustainability in areas such as work environment, waste management, energy use, purchases and transport. The company receives help to work holistically, systematically and long-term with measures that will improve environmental performance, reduce greenhouse gas emissions – and contribute to a green future. The business also receives good conditions to contribute towards accomplishing several of the UN’s sustainability goals.

Nordic Swan Ecolabel

The Nordic Swan Ecolabel is a holistic eco-label that simultaneously looks at all the decisive factors. The various environmental impacts are considered based on the relevant factors and weighed against each other. The Nordic Swan Ecolabel has prepared environmental requirements for a wide range of different goods and services. In order to be environmentally certified, it must be documented that the product satisfies the requirements of the relevant group.

Green Key

Green Key is a distinguished environmental certification scheme for hotels, accommodations and other tourism companies. The purpose is to promote sustainable tourism and thereby prevent climate change. Green Key highlights companies – large and small – that implement positive environmental measures. The criteria for becoming certified are designed for, and in collaboration with, the hotel and tourism industry.

EarthCheck

EarthCheck is one of the world’s leading certifications and guides for the travel industry. The program helps businesses, various actors and politicians to offer sustainable, clean, safe and healthy destinations for tourists and citizens.

Questions or comments?

Do you have any questions to our work with sustainability in Oslo – or do you have a comment? Please do not hesitate to send us an email.