Sustainability in Norway is not something extra – it shapes how tourism is created and experienced. Work with destinations built on respect for nature, strong communities, and responsible growth. Better for your clients, your business, and the places they visit.
Why sustainability matters
Sustainability is increasingly a requirement - not a differentiator.
Your clients expect it. Corporate buyers demand it. Regulations are moving fast.
Norway helps you stay ahead by offering:
- Certifications and recognised standards
- High-quality, low-impact experiences
Easier to sell, easier to document, and built for the future.
Start building sustainable Norway itineraries
It’s not about one product - it is about how you design the full experience.
- Choose certified suppliers
Look for recognised sustainability labels and destination schemes - Travel beyond peak season
Create great experiences with less pressure on nature and communities - Use low-impact transport
Norway offers electric mobility, trains, and coastal travel - Spread the journey
Combine regions and lesser-known destinations - Focus on quality over volume
Fewer, longer stays create better experiences and higher value
Sustainable travel in Norway
In Norway, sustainability isn’t a niche. It’s how we develop tourism.
From certified destinations and low-emission transport to strong local communities and year-round jobs, we work systematically to make travel better – for guests, businesses, and nature.
That means you don’t have to explain why sustainability matters.
You can focus on selling better experiences.
Good for your clients. Good for your business. Good for the places they visit.
What makes Norway a sustainable destination
Nature first! Our greatest asset is also our greatest responsibility. Nature is protected, accessible, and actively managed with guidelines for visitors and operators. The right to roam | Guide to roaming where you want
Managed Tourism. We do not promote at any cost. Norway works actively with visitor management, seasonal distribution, and responsible use of vulnerable areas.
Strong local value. Tourism contributes to thriving communities across the country - supporting local jobs, culture, and year-round activity.
Sustainable destinations
A number of Norwegian destinations have obtained the prestigious Sustainable destination standard. In order to qualify for this label, destinations must demonstrate their commitment to provide the best possible experience for visitors while keeping the negative impact of tourism to a minimum. This is done by fulfilling 45 criteria and 108 indicators that cover nature, culture, environment, social values, community involvement and economic viability. The label has to be renewed every three years.
These destinations are also certified:
- Stranda in Sunnmøre
- The National Park Kingdom including Dovre, Dovrefjell, Jotunheimen, Rondane, Breheimen, and Reinheimen
- Åfjord with Stokkøya and Inderøy in Trøndelag
- Lom in Jotunheimen
- Gran, Lunner, Jevnaker and Ringerike in Hadeland and Ringerike
- The Elverum region, including Våler and Elverum in Eastern Norway
- Gjøvik, Østre Toten, Vestre Toten and Søndre Land in the Gjøvik region and Ringsaker
- Vest-Telemark, Midt-Telemark, Nome municipality, Notodden and Hjartdal in Telemark
- Kautokeino in Finnmark
- Røros and the Østerdalen valley, including the municipalities Alvdal, Os, Tolga, Tynset, Røros and Åmot.
Environmental certifications
in Norway
Make sure your holiday has the smallest footprint possible by looking for these labels and logos.
Ecotourism Norway
This national certification is awarded to businesses and operators that hold a high international level in ecotourism. Over 100 strict criteria on environmental performance, host-role, local community integration and purchasing must be met and often improved. The certificate is renewed every three years.
The ecolabel Nordic Swan
More than 5000 products in Norway are certified with Nordic Swan, which indicates that they satisfy strict demands within energy efficiency, materials, and chemicals, all the way from raw materials to end product and waste management.
Eco-Lighthouse
Eco-Lighthouse enterprises work towards satisfying requirements and implementing environmental measures on a systematic and ongoing basis in order to create more environmentally friendly operations and safer work environments. Enterprises are certified subject to independent assessment and must undergo a recertification process every three years.
The Green Key
Global ecolabel, recognized by GSTC, for hotels, small accommodations, campsites and attractions. Certified businesses must meet strict criteria within among others the areas of waste, energy, water, procurement, green areas, CSR and staff involvement. The high standards are maintained through annual certificate renewal, rigorous application process and documentation and frequent audits.
ISO 14001
ISO 14001 is given to enterprises that have a high-quality environmental managing system for organizational performance.
Blue flag
Global, prestigious award based on a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and access related criteria to be met and maintained, aimed at beaches and marinas. More than 4100 sites in 49 countries are awarded with the Blue Flag.
