Sustainability news July n. 2
July 2026
Reseach Office: Sustainability news, Sustainability news 2026
News from Italy
"Blue Like Abruzzo": New Project Launched to Promote a Sustainable Seafood Supply Chain
The "Blue Like Abruzzo" project, supported by GAL Pesca Abruzzo, aims to promote sustainability across the region's seafood supply chain. Through educational and awareness-raising activities, the initiative seeks to strengthen the competitiveness of local businesses while encouraging responsible seafood consumption and enhancing Abruzzo's maritime heritage.
Festival in Ciminna, Sicily, Promotes Ecotourism and Innovation in Historic Villages
The 2026 edition of the Gattopardo Cinefestival in Ciminna incorporates the Ciminna CortoFest and focuses on sustainable tourism, coliving, and digital nomadism. The event explores how remote working and innovative hospitality models can support the development of small rural communities.
AI and Birdwatching in the Po Delta Park to Foster Environmental Education
Italy's first birdwatching school has been launched in the Po Delta Park, transforming bird observation into a powerful tool for environmental education. The initiative aims to raise awareness of biodiversity and ecosystem conservation by using advanced technologies for species identification.
Blue Schools Project: National Marine Education Initiative Starts on Elba Island, Tuscany
Coordinated by the Acqua dell'Elba Foundation, the Blue Schools project aims to integrate marine education into school curricula to foster greater environmental awareness. The initiative includes educational activities and promotes slow tourism through the Via dell'Essenza, a hiking trail showcasing Elba Island's natural heritage.
Sustainable Innovation: Recyclable Geotextiles Developed to Protect Snow Cover in South Tyrol's Val Senales
The MINI TAKES CARE project aims to preserve snow in the South Tyrolean Alps using biodegradable geotextiles, supporting the sustainability of winter tourism while promoting a circular economy. The initiative highlights the importance of collaboration between businesses and local communities to protect the environment.
Piombino: Discounts at Parks and Museums in the Val di Cornia for Bus Travelers
A new initiative in the Val di Cornia promotes sustainable tourism by combining public transport with cultural heritage experiences. Visitors who travel by bus receive discounts at local parks and museums, while a free shuttle service helps reduce private car traffic.
Marche Region: Giro d'Italia Inspires Cycle Tourism to Revitalize the Central Apennines
A cycle tourism event running alongside the Giro d'Italia aims to promote slow and sustainable tourism while showcasing the villages and inland areas of the Central Apennines. The initiative seeks to support the economic and social revival of communities still recovering from the 2016 earthquake by encouraging active mobility and celebrating the region's cultural and natural heritage.
News from around the world
Africa
Kenya
Ecotourism and Environmental Conservation as Pillars of Sustainable DevelopmentIn Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique, coastal communities are diversifying their livelihoods to address climate change and marine degradation. Women play a key role in developing ecotourism and conservation projects, promoting a resilient development model that protects biodiversity while supporting local communities.
The Americas
Latin America
Women Leading Environmental Protection in the Gran Chaco
A Pulitzer Prize-winning photo report documents the lives of Indigenous communities in the Gran Chaco, highlighting the role of women in environmental conservation, ecotourism, and reforestation initiatives. The images portray the resilience and collaboration needed to tackle the climate crisis.
Jamaica
A project to Turn Holland Bamboo Corridor into a Premier Ecotourism Destination
Jamaica has launched an ambitious $500 million project to transform the Holland Bamboo Corridor into a leading ecotourism destination. The plan includes pedestrian-friendly developments, reforestation, and infrastructure improvements to promote sustainable tourism and support local economies.
Asia
China
The Yunnan–Xizang Highway as a Model of Sustainable Development and Cultural Heritage
Fifty years after its inauguration, the Yunnan–Xizang Highway has evolved into a modern tourism corridor that promotes economic and cultural development across the regions it crosses. This infrastructure project has improved accessibility, stimulated sustainable tourism, and enhanced local cultural heritage, demonstrating how targeted investments can combine progress with the preservation of traditions.
India
A promoting handicraft tourism project in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh has launched an initiative to promote handicraft tourism by integrating innovative technologies such as QR codes to tell the stories behind traditional crafts. The program supports artisan communities through training and services while preserving traditional techniques at risk of disappearing.
A Digital Platform to Promote Urban Reforestation in Gujarat
The Gujarat Forest Department has launched a digital platform to facilitate access to forest nurseries and tree saplings, encouraging reforestation through the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign. The initiative aims to actively engage citizens in protecting forest resources through technology.
Nepal
A new Ecotourism Initiative to Protect Tigers in Chitwan National Park
Nepal is developing the world's first tiger sanctuary in Chitwan National Park, combining wildlife conservation with ecotourism. The project aims to protect tigers while promoting sustainable tourism through controlled wildlife viewing experiences.
Thailand
TAT Promotes Pattaya Through the Revival of Its Diving Festival
Thailand has launched an innovative project to restore marine ecosystems by installing artificial habitats that regenerate coral reefs and enhance biodiversity. The initiative aims to create new sustainable diving sites, reduce pressure on natural reefs, and involve local communities in marine conservation.
Europe
Estonia
Regional Identity and Slow Tourism
Estonia is redefining its tourism strategy by focusing on culture, nature, and sustainability rather than its cool climate. The new strategy promotes slow tourism, authentic experiences, and the discovery of regional identities, encouraging longer stays and responsible travel practices.
France
Ambassador Network to Promote Responsible Tourism in Hérault
The Hérault Department in Occitanie is implementing its 2022–2028 sustainable tourism plan, designed to balance economic development, environmental protection, and social inclusion. One of its flagship initiatives is the creation of a network of local ambassadors to promote a shared and sustainable destination identity.
Greece
Gastronomy as a Driver of Sustainable Development in the South Aegean
The South Aegean region is bidding for the title of World Region of Gastronomy 2028, promoting a sustainable tourism model that integrates culinary traditions, biodiversity, and economic development. The initiative seeks to enhance local culture through gastronomic routes and food waste reduction.
United Kingdom
Transitioning to Low-Carbon Rail Mobility
London St Pancras Highspeed station is committed to reducing emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy, promoting rail travel as a sustainable alternative for international tourism.
Spain
New Investments in Electric Mobility in the Cabriel Valley
Spain's Cabriel Valley is implementing a Sustainable Tourism Plan that includes six new electric vehicle charging stations, landscape restoration, and the protection of its natural heritage. These initiatives aim to promote sustainable tourism while helping counter rural depopulation.
The Canary Islands Introduce a Voluntary Tourist Contribution to Fund Sustainability Projects
The Canary Islands have launched a voluntary visitor contribution scheme to finance environmental restoration projects and local community development. The initiative aims to transform the archipelago into a model of regenerative tourism through a transparent funding system that supports nature conservation and the well-being of host communities.
Oceania
New Zealand
New Zealand's Tourism Industry Strives to Become Greener
New Zealand's tourism sector is embracing the challenge of sustainability by turning the growing demand for responsible travel into a process of continuous improvement. Integrating sustainability into business management and fostering collaboration among operators, institutions, and communities are essential to balancing environmental, economic, and social goals.
Eco-Scenarios
Exploring Regenerative Tourism and Conscious Consumption
Regenerative tourism encourages travelers to leave destinations better than they found them by choosing less crowded locations and supporting local economies through conscious purchasing, or "buycotting." This approach promotes respect for host communities and the responsible use of natural resources, transforming travel into a positive force for both people and the environment.
Rediscovering Nearby Destinations Through Micro-Cations
Micro-cations are reshaping sustainable tourism by encouraging short breaks that prioritize authenticity and sustainability. This growing trend promotes the rediscovery of local destinations, the use of low-impact transportation, and stronger support for local economies.
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