Visitscotland Sustainability Profile
VisitScotland, the national tourism organisation for Scotland, is headquartered in Edinburgh, GB. Established in 2005, it plays a pivotal role in promoting Scotland as a premier travel destination, focusing on key regions such as the Highlands, Lowlands, and the vibrant cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. The organisation's core services include providing comprehensive travel information, marketing campaigns, and support for local businesses in the tourism sector. VisitScotland is renowned for its unique approach to showcasing Scotland's rich heritage, stunning landscapes, and cultural experiences, making it a leader in the tourism industry. With a commitment to sustainable tourism and community engagement, VisitScotland has achieved notable milestones, including the development of the "Scotland's Year of" campaigns, which celebrate various aspects of Scottish culture and history, further solidifying its market position as a trusted resource for travellers.
DitchCarbon Score
How does Visitscotland's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Industry Average
Mean score of companies in the Other Services industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Industry Benchmark
Visitscotland's score of 37 is higher than 61% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
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Visitscotland's reported carbon emissions
In 2023, VisitScotland reported significant carbon emissions, primarily from Scope 3 sources, totalling approximately 630,000 kg CO2e. This figure includes about 312,000 kg CO2e from business travel and about 318,000 kg CO2e from employee commuting. Notably, VisitScotland does not currently disclose any Scope 1 or Scope 2 emissions data. VisitScotland has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming for net zero in direct emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2) by 2030. This commitment is part of their broader strategy to align with the Scottish Government's goal of achieving net zero emissions for all greenhouse gases by 2045, based on a 2008/09 baseline. These targets reflect a proactive approach to sustainability and climate responsibility within the tourism sector. The emissions data is cascaded from VisitScotland Limited, indicating a structured commitment to environmental accountability within its corporate family. As the organisation progresses towards its net zero targets, it will be crucial to monitor their initiatives and reductions in emissions across all scopes.
How Carbon Intensive is Visitscotland's Industry?
How Carbon Intensive is Visitscotland's Location?
Visitscotland's Scope 3 Categories Breakdown
Their carbon footprint includes supplier sustainability and value chain emissions data across Scope 3 categories, with "Employee Commuting" being the largest emissions source at 50% of Scope 3 emissions.
Top Scope 3 Categories
Visitscotland's Climate Goals (2030 & 2050)
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Visitscotland has not publicly committed to specific 2030 or 2050 climate goals through the major frameworks we track. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.
