As a specialised United Nations agency, UN Tourism leads global efforts to make tourism a catalyst for sustainable development, economic growth, and cultural preservation. In 2023, UN Tourism partnered with the Oxford SDG Impact Lab to develop the first harmonised Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Framework for Tourism Businesses, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This pioneering initiative offers Lab Fellows the chance to engage directly with one of the world’s most impactful industries. To inform the development of the framework, Fellows conducted an extensive review of existing ESG practices and standards before undertaking in-person pilot testing with tourism businesses, including hotels and tour operators.

In 2024, the partnership expanded with Fellows travelling to key regions such as Mexico, Belize, Zimbabwe, and Malaysia. Their research focused on conservation efforts, community empowerment, and biodiversity protection, alongside evaluating waste management practices and sustainable workforce strategies. These findings are shaping the second phase of the ESG Framework, ensuring it reflects the realities and opportunities of sustainability across diverse global contexts.

“The ESG Framework brings together the University of Oxford's world-class academic research with the international consensus-building ability and expertise of UN Tourism. This partnership is uniquely positioned to make meaningful and lasting impacts in sustainable tourism governance,” says Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director, UN Tourism.

By creating a unified approach to sustainability reporting, this partnership aims to guide the tourism industry toward a more transparent and sustainable future, empowering businesses to make informed decisions that benefit people, the planet, and prosperity