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Bonito and Fundtur MS: A Strategic Partnership for Global Leadership in Sustainable Tourism

The Future of Sustainable Tourism in Brazil Begins in Bonito Bonito, one of Brazil’s most renowned ecotourism destinations, continues to solidify its position as a global reference in sustainable tourism. Through a strong collaboration with the Mato Grosso do Sul Tourism Foundation (Fundtur MS), led by Bruno Wendling, Bonito has achieved significant advancements in integrating climate mitigation strategies into its tourism development model. Some of the key milestones include: With this initiative, Bonito becomes the first tourism destination fully aligned with the Glasgow Declaration, presenting a comprehensive investment program for decarbonization. At the forefront of this movement is Juliane Salvadori, Vice Mayor of Bonito, who has played a key role in maintaining the Carbon Neutral certification since her tenure as Tourism Secretary in 2022. “This achievement strengthens our commitment to transforming Bonito into an increasingly sustainable destination, ensuring that tourism here is synonymous with conservation and environmental innovation.” – Juliane Salvadori, Vice Mayor of Bonito and Leader of the Bonito Carbono Neutral Program Knowledge Exchange with Machu Picchu: Sharing Global Best Practices Beyond its local advancements, Bonito has fostered a knowledge exchange program with Machu Picchu, another internationally recognized tourism destination committed to climate action. This collaboration allows for the sharing of mitigation measures and regenerative tourism strategies, reinforcing Bonito and Mato Grosso do Sul’s participation in the global discussion on climate-smart tourism. “Mato Grosso do Sul’s strategy is clear: we want to be a global benchmark in sustainable tourism, and Bonito is the ideal showcase to demonstrate how this is possible. The involvement of the Green Initiative and the actions led by Fundtur MS are key drivers of this transformation.” – Bruno Wendling, President of Fundtur MS Bonito Hosts the International Smart Destinations Fair (FIDI) 2025 In a significant development, Bonito was selected to host the third edition of the International Smart Destinations Fair (FIDI) in 2025, scheduled from March 19 to 22. This event will bring together tourism professionals, entrepreneurs, public managers, and students to discuss innovation, sustainability, and technology in tourism. Hosting FIDI 2025 underscores Bonito’s commitment to positioning itself as a Smart Tourism Destination, integrating governance, sustainability, innovation, technology, and promotion. “Securing this event was a strategic move, as we are bringing the most important fair that addresses smart destination models. The public can expect a lot of innovation, knowledge, and exchange of experiences in all aspects that a Smart Tourism Destination encompasses.” – Bruno Wendling, President of Fundtur MS Bonito Carbono Neutro Wins FIDI 2025 Environmental Sustainability Award Highlighting its commitment to environmental stewardship, Bonito Carbono Neutro was honored with the Environmental Sustainability Award at FIDI 2025. This accolade recognizes Bonito’s ongoing efforts in reducing carbon emissions and implementing sustainable tourism practices, further solidifying its status as a leader in environmental conservation. Towards COP-30: Bonito on the Global Sustainability Stage The achievements resulting from the collaboration between Fundtur MS and Bonito position the municipality as one of Brazil’s leading success stories to be showcased during COP-30, which will take place in Belém, Pará, in November 2025. This collective effort will contribute to raising awareness among thousands of people in Brazil and worldwide about the importance of climate action and the positive environmental impacts as fundamental pillars for the prosperity and development of smart tourism destinations. Bonito’s journey exemplifies how dedicated leadership and strategic partnerships can transform a destination into a global model for sustainable tourism and environmental responsibility. In the Media:

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Mato Grosso do Sul Recognized Among Top 3 in Brazil’s Best ESG Practices for Sustainable Tourism

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Green Initiative congratulates Mato Grosso do Sul for earning a Top 3 position in Embratur’s “Best ESG Practices in Brazilian Destinations” contest, showcasing their sustainable tourism and climate action leadership. The Agência Brasileira de Promoção Internacional do Turismo (Embratur) recently announced the winners of its prestigious “Melhores Práticas ESG nos Destinos Brasileiros” (Best ESG Practices in Brazilian Destinations) contest. This initiative highlights the best environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts driving sustainable tourism in Brazil. Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), through its Secretaria de Turismo, Esporte e Cultura and Fundação de Turismo de Mato Grosso do Sul (FUNDTUR), was recognized as one of the Top 3 destinations for their exceptional progress and leadership. The Top 3 Winners: With participation from nearly 50 organizations and over 200 sustainable initiatives, Mato Grosso do Sul’s recognition is a testament to the state’s growing impact in the ESG tourism space. Sustainable Leadership and Innovation in Mato Grosso do Sul Mato Grosso do Sul has demonstrated consistent progress since launching its sustainability strategy in 2022. Key milestones include: Bruno Wendling, Director-President of FUNDTUR, emphasized the importance of collaboration: “This award reinforces the work initiated in 2022 and demonstrates that our state is on the right path to becoming a more responsible and climate-focused tourism destination. We aim to transform MS into Brazil’s first carbon-neutral state by 2030.” Why ESG Practices Matter in Tourism The adoption of ESG principles (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is essential for ensuring tourism contributes positively to both communities and the planet: Additionally, Mato Grosso do Sul’s efforts align with the principles of regenerative tourism, a concept that goes beyond sustainability to actively restore ecosystems, regenerate communities, and create long-term positive impacts on nature and climate. By integrating climate and nature positive actions, MS ensures that tourism becomes a vehicle for healing the environment, reversing biodiversity loss, and empowering local stakeholders to lead the change. The success of Mato Grosso do Sul underscores the critical role destinations play in advancing these principles to foster a more resilient, inclusive, and regenerative tourism industry. Green Initiative and Mato Grosso do Sul: A Shared Vision At Green Initiative, we champion partners and destinations like Mato Grosso do Sul that demonstrate measurable progress toward sustainability. By implementing innovative carbon management solutions, biodiversity conservation, and inclusive tourism programs, MS is paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future. This recognition by Embratur highlights the state’s dedication and serves as a powerful example for other destinations aiming to integrate ESG practices, regenerative tourism, and climate and nature positive strategies. Looking Ahead As part of their award, Mato Grosso do Sul will receive ESG consulting support from Embratur, highlighted participation in international marketing campaigns, and professional project documentation, including videos, to amplify global visibility. These benefits will further strengthen Mato Grosso do Sul’s position as a leader in sustainable and regenerative tourism, attracting investments and fostering partnerships to achieve their 2030 carbon-neutral goal. Join Us in Celebrating Sustainable Tourism Excellence Green Initiative congratulates Mato Grosso do Sul and FUNDTUR for their achievements. Together, we can inspire more destinations to embrace sustainability, climate action, regenerative tourism, and inclusive practices as central pillars for development. Let’s work towards a future where tourism drives positive change for people, nature, and the planet. Contact us to learn more about sustainable tourism and Green Initiative’s global efforts.

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How COP29 is Transforming Tourism, Transport, and Urbanization for a Climate Positive Future

How COP29 is Transforming Tourism, Transport, and Urbanization for a Climate and Nature Positive Future

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On November 20, 2024, COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, marked a transformative moment in global climate action by dedicating a day to critical sectors shaping our climate future: tourism, transport, and urbanization. With two groundbreaking declarations, the conference showcased a vision of sustainability that integrates innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and a commitment to leaving the planet better than we found. This Tourism Takes Center Stage with Climate Commitments The COP29 Declaration on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism highlights tourism’s dual identity as a vital economic force and a key partner of the climate change global challenges for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions supporting the Paris Agreement goals. This initiative seeks to redefine the sector, steering it toward a more sustainable and climate-positive future as a result of the determination and global leadership of the UN Tourism Executive Director Zoritsa Urosevic and her team, who have mobilized the interest of UN Tourism member states from around the world to raise awareness to connect tourism with climate and nature positive action. Complementing this leadership is the outstanding contribution of Virginia Fernandez-Trapa, Programme Coordinator for Sustainable Tourism and Resilience at UN Tourism. Her advocacy for climate and regenerative action has been instrumental, building on milestones like the Glasgow Declaration to achieve this significant breakthrough. Key commitments in the declaration include: Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization, emphasized the sector’s potential to drive transformative change through innovation, decarbonization, and regenerative practices. Resilient Cities Through Cross-Sector Collaboration Urbanization, a defining feature of modern life, was addressed by launching the COP29 Multisectoral Actions Pathways (MAP) Declaration for Resilient and Healthy Cities. Developed in partnership with UN-Habitat, the MAP Declaration lays the groundwork for building sustainable, inclusive urban environments. This initiative promotes: Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President, highlighted the critical role of collaboration, stating, “These initiatives are about enhancing the quality of life while addressing the profound challenges posed by climate change.” The commitments made during COP29 underline the importance of addressing economic, social, and environmental dimensions together, with a shared vision of a sustainable future for people and the planet. Green Initiative: Leading the Way in Regenerative Travel and Climate Certification While COP29 sets the stage for global action, organizations like Green Initiative are translating these goals into tangible outcomes on the ground. Through regenerative tourism, climate certifications, and nature positive strategies, the Green Initiative team helps businesses and destinations make measurable progress toward sustainability. Regenerative Tourism Regenerative tourism is a transformative approach that aims to leave destinations better than they were found. By restoring ecosystems, enhancing community well-being, and reducing carbon footprints, regenerative tourism shifts the focus from sustaining to actively improving environments. A prime example is Machu Picchu, where Green Initiative’s support helped the historic site achieve carbon-neutral certification. This included waste management improvements, renewable energy integration, and reforestation efforts in surrounding areas. Similarly, Bonito, a globally renowned ecotourism destination in Brazil, has embraced regenerative principles by achieving carbon-neutral certification with the help of Green Initiative. Bonito’s initiatives include protecting vital freshwater ecosystems, promoting biodiversity conservation, and implementing sustainable visitor practices to ensure long-term environmental resilience while supporting the local economy. Climate and Nature Positive Certifications Green Initiative offers certifications that help businesses and destinations go beyond carbon neutrality, designed to empower businesses, destinations, and organizations to demonstrate and enhance their sustainability efforts. These certifications are essential for ensuring measurable, transparent progress toward sustainability goals. From tourism operators to urban planners, the Green Initiative provides tools to align operations with global climate objectives. Join the Movement Interested in making your organization a leader in sustainability? The Green Initiative provides a clear path to certification and actionable strategies for regenerative practices. Contact us today to learn how your business or destination can make a lasting, positive impact. Get in Touch!

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