Puerto Iguazú announced the start of the certification process to become a sustainable destination by the end of 2022. The goal was to obtain a distinctive seal accrediting its commitment to environmental care, complying with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.
After completing several stages, including the presentation of the diagnosis and action plan, the achievement of the standard level certification granted by Biosphere was announced.
The announcement was made through social media. “After a great team effort, we can announce that Puerto Iguazú is the first certified sustainable destination in Argentina and one of the first in the region,” posted Fabián Román, from the Plan 21 foundation.
Certification and strategic alliances
The certification is part of the Transforming the Future program, an initiative carried out in Latin America through the alliance between Fundación Zurich, Universal Assistance, Fundación Plan21, and the Responsible Tourism Institute of Spain.
This program seeks to transform tourist destinations with social and economic impact for local communities. The Biosphere methodology certification is based on contributing to the 17 SDGs of the 2030 Agenda.
The certification process began in December 2022 and had the support of the destination’s tourism companies, the commitment of Iturem, and the local support of the Green Ecologist Foundation. This foundation actively coordinated tasks related to the SDGs in the social sphere, promoting regional economies and training local producers and entrepreneurs.
Juan Manuel Velazco, president of the Green Ecologist Foundation, explained that the destination obtained the standard certification based on the diagnosis and action plan presented by the municipality. Next year, they will need to renew the certification, and the auditor will evaluate the progress in the action plan. The goal is to continuously improve.
The importance of the “sustainable destination” certification
The certification is based not only on government actions but also on the contribution of private companies, many of which already hold international sustainability certifications.
The certification covers approximately 400 points, and each destination chooses which ones to be evaluated on. In the case of Iguazú, around 260 points were evaluated, confirming actions in gender equality, water consumption, safety, hygiene, and health promotion.
Each evaluated item has an action plan for continuous improvement, as sustainability requirements change over time.
“The items for a sustainability certification are not the same as ten years ago; it is a constant process where each destination must progress and address all areas,” emphasized Velazco.
Puerto Iguazú is the first destination in Argentina to achieve this sustainability certification and the second in Latin America. Furthermore, it is among the fifteen in all of America and among the 100 destinations certified worldwide.
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