The State Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and adopted the new revision of the Cantonal Climate Plan in June 2021.
The Canton, the City and the Geneva Tourism & Conventions Foundation are working together on a daily basis to respond to current social, environmental and economic challenges. As a keen traveller, you too can take action while discovering the world thanks to new consumption habits, activities and ways of visiting places. We are pleased to be able to give you a few ideas for your stay in Geneva, so that together we may build a new form of tourism!
The Geneva Tourism & Conventions Foundation has been committed to sustainability for several years. In line with the sustainable development objectives adopted by the UN, in 2020 it approved a new strategy for the development of sustainable urban tourism in order to respond to current social, environmental and economic issues.
Fancy a stay focused on sustainable tourism and a taste of local products?
Discover the restaurants that are ambassadors of Geneva’s terroir, and encourage Geneva producers!
The “Ambassadeur du Terroir Genevois” label distinguishes cafés, restaurants and hotels that promote local products. Created in 1997, the label is valid for one year and is renewable if the establishment continues to meet the conditions for obtaining it. It is awarded by the Label Commission, which is made up of five members representing the Société des Cafetiers Restaurateurs, the Société des Hôteliers de Genève, and three representatives of the agricultural community (two wine growers and one market gardener).
GRTA is a label that aims to guarantee the quality of Geneva’s agriculture. It was created in 2004 and is owned by the State of Geneva. GRTA is the result of a partnership between producers and the food industry. It certifies that a given product comes from the Geneva region and respects standards of quality, traceability and fairness. It is controlled by an independent body. GRTA meets consumer expectations by promoting the principles of sustainable development.
Quality:
The GRTA label is a guarantee of fresh, quality products. Specific controls are carried out throughout the production chain.
Traceability:
GRTA products are controlled from the field to the plate. The products are monitored at every stage, from production to processing, packaging and distribution.
Proximity:
The origin of the products is controlled. The production and processing areas lie in the Canton of Geneva and its free zone. This proximity reduces the environmental impact of transport and promotes sustainable agriculture.
Fairness:
People working along the production chain benefit from the conditions laid down in the standard contracts and collective labour agreements.
The Fait-Maison (lit. “Homemade”) label distinguishes, on a voluntary basis, restaurants whose food is prepared entirely or for the most part in their own kitchens, without the use of pre-cooked dishes and products.
Visite the website
Read the "Fait Maison" label Specifications
EcoCook is Switzerland's leading certification and support program for businesses in the hospitality, restaurant, and café sectors.
Highly regarded in Swiss public procurement, by tourism authorities, and accommodation platforms, it is recognized as a benchmark for excellence in sustainability.
The program’s mission is clear: to assess, enhance, showcase, and communicate sustainable practices and commitments, positioning organizations as the top choice in their field.
Through EcoCook, organizations can:
Easily find sustainable certified accomodations in Geneva with the "Sustainable choice" filter and tag.
Eating locally in the heart of Geneva is possible!
In this section, we offer you a selection of “locavore” restaurants that promote local products and wines from Geneva or the French-speaking part of Switzerland, favouring short circuits and seasonal products, an approach from field to plate that has been attracting a growing audience for a while now. Here’s an overview.
Eating sustainable and local food is now everyone’s business and this commitment is also taking off in the restaurant industry and in establishments that have chosen a sustainable, local and meaningful path. Favouring short circuits, reducing food waste and respecting the seasons are all goals that actors on Geneva’s gastronomic scene are aiming for.
Geneva offers many possibilities, including the fine selection of low carbon impact activities
Sustainable tourism also means favouring activities with a limited impact on the environment. Geneva offers many possibilities, including the fine selection of low carbon impact activities below
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