Azores recognised as EarthCheck Reference Destination 2024 - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas

The Autonomous Region of the Azores has just been recognised as an EarthCheck Benchmarked Destination 2024, according to the report now released by the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures.

This document highlights the sustainability policy in force in the Azores and notes that in 15 of the EarthCheck indicators assessed, the Region is at or above the reference level.

"The Azores were carefully selected to track performance in key areas such as environment and impact on social performance. EarthCheck benchmarking provides an organisation with a vehicle for sustainability reporting and is based on continuous improvement," the document states.

In this regard, "the Autonomous Region of the Azores has met the requirements to be recognised as an EarthCheck benchmark destination."

The following segments are above the baseline levels that led the Azores to be recognised as an EarthCheck 2024 Reference Destination: greenhouse gas emissions, drinking water consumption, waste disposed of in landfills, percentage of compliant water tests, habitat conservation and socio-economic benefits.

It should be noted that, compared to 2023, the Region now has another indicator "above the baseline," i.e. greenhouse gas emissions, demonstrating the positive evolution of the assessment.

Regarding best practices, the Azores were recognised for the percentage of green areas, water saving and destination safety.

This annual assessment of the Autonomous Region of the Azores was carried out based on EarthCheck benchmarking indicators and checklists developed for this organisation.

The EarthCheck standards bring together a series of indicators to monitor the performance of the Azores destination in areas related to sustainable development at an environmental, socio-cultural and economic level.

For Berta Cabral, these results "demonstrate a positive evolution, with another indicator above the reference levels and maintaining the highlights of best practices."

"We are proud of this path of continuous improvement and we are firmly and resolutely committed to it," she said.