Free training to help Scotland’s tourism sector in the journey to a Green Recovery
17 February 2022
This February and March we are offering free Climate Emergency Training for staff in Scotland’s Tourism sector. The training is being made available as part of a suite of support provided with Skills Development Scotland and Green Tourism through the Scottish Government’s Tourism Recovery Fund.
Working with Skills Development Scotland, we have developed the bespoke online Climate Emergency Training to help staff in Scotland’s tourism sector develop skills and knowledge to secure a Green Recovery from Covid-19 and become a successful part of a low carbon Scotland.
Over two live sessions, this introductory training will increase understanding of climate change science and how Scotland’s tourism sector can use its actions and influence to respond to the climate emergency by contributing to Scotland’s journey to net-zero. Best practice examples will showcase innovation across the sector in responding to the new challenges as well as the opportunities created through responsible tourism.
The course is accredited by The Carbon Literacy Project and to become Carbon Literate participants will carry out an assessment in which they will be asked to select both an individual and a group action to reduce carbon emissions in their organisation, or Scotland’s wider tourism sector, demonstrating their learning and understanding of carbon emission sources and solutions. Those who pass will receive Carbon Literate certification.
Catherine Gee, our Deputy CEO, said: “Scotland’s tourism sector has faced huge challenges over the past two years. That’s why we are so delighted to offer this free Climate Emergency Training to help those working in the sector gain new skills and experience that will prove vital in securing a Green Recovery from Covid-19 and successfully navigating Scotland’s journey to net-zero.
“We look forward to working with staff involved in tourism and hospitality from across Scotland and helping them embed Climate Emergency Training in their operations.”
Lawrence Durden, Tourism Sector manager with Skills Development Scotland, said: “It is vital that Scotland’s tourism sector makes a full contribution to our national ambition to become a net-zero society by 2045. Skills Development Scotland is pleased to support this programme of training and webinars delivered by Keep Scotland Beautiful and Green Tourism which provides support for businesses and staff to help tackle the impacts of climate change. SDS is working to help organisations and individuals’ future-proof their skills and prepare for a low carbon Scotland.’’
Andrea Nicholas, CEO Green Tourism, said: “The Tourism and Hospitality industry both contributes to and is impacted by the climate crisis and as such has a responsibility and opportunity to be part of transformative change as we work towards Net Zero. This will only be possible if tourism’s recovery from the impact of Covid-19 accelerates the adoption of sustainable behaviours. As an organisation we are looking forward to working with Keep Scotland Beautiful and Skills Development Scotland to provide carbon training to support tourism businesses to find new ways to reduce our industry’s carbon footprint.”
Richard Mayne, Cluster General Manager, Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre and Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Mile, Edinburgh said: “The role of tourism and hospitality is changing as a result of the climate crisis, and it is vital that businesses and staff in the sector understand their role in addressing the challenges that we all face. Training and awareness raising will play a key role in helping the sector to adapt and support the transition to us becoming a net-zero emissions country.”
In May 2019, the Scottish Government declared a climate emergency and has pledged to drastically reduce emissions from Scotland. This will mean new legislation and technology that will bring significant changes to the way that we do life and business in Scotland, including tourism.
And with the United Nations COP26 climate conference having recently taken place in Glasgow attention is focused on climate action in Scotland and sustainable tourism like never before.
To help ensure Scotland’s workforce has the skills needed for the transition to a net-zero economy, the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan was published in December 2020, having been developed in partnership between the public, private and third sector.
To be eligible to register for the Climate Emergency Training participants must live in Scotland and work in any role within the Tourism and Hospitality sector. Both employees of an organisation or individuals working within the sector are eligible.
The first training session starts on 24 February. To register and see all available training dates in February and March please see the page on Eventbrite.