Biosphere
Biosphere
Doama is now an official partner of Biosphere operating in Northern Europe.
Biosphere sertification
Doama is now an official partner of Biosphere operating in Northern Europe. With Doama’s help, your company can achieve Biosphere certification efficiently and with high quality. Doama has helped dozens of tourism companies obtain the Biosphere certificate as part of the STF pathway.
Biosphere sustainability certification is an internationally recognized certification program designed to promote sustainable practices across various sectors, particularly in tourism. The certification was developed by the Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI), which, at its creation in 1997, started its activity in close cooperation with a MoU with UNESCO and is a founding member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Recognised by the European Commission and other international bodies, Biosphere certification harmonises all sustainability standards under a common methodology, in accordance with the 17 SDGs and 169 United Nations targets. Biosphere is the universal homogenising and facilitating system, with close connection to official or UN-related bodies, to implement continuous improvement processes that integrate all international sustainability criteria and standards.
Key Features of Biosphere Certification:
- Comprehensive Approach: The certification covers the three areas and pillars of sustainability, environmental and climate change, socio-culture and economic and governance aspects, ensuring that certified entities contribute to the well-being of the environment, local communities, and the economy.
- Continuous Improvement: Biosphere methodology emphasizes a process of continuous improvement, guiding organizations to progressively enhance their responsibility efforts.
- International Recognition: Biosphere certification is globally recognized as a reliable indicator of sustainable practices. It has received several international awards, including being named the best sustainability certification tool in the world in 2021 by a report from the University of Sherbrooke.
- Tailored Criteria: The certification process is customized for different types of entities:
- Destinations: Regions, cities, and DMOs among others are assessed based on resource management, cultural heritage, and socioeconomic impacts.
- Companies: Tourism-related businesses, such as hotels, tour operators, and restaurants, and entities from other sectors such as the media, academic institutions and more than 25 other types of business activity, are evaluated based on their sustainable practices, including resource efficiency, waste management, and community involvement.
- Events: Among all the types of companies that can recognise their sustainable efforts with Biosphere, companies organising events, as well as the events themselves, can also recognise their good practices, ensuring that they minimize environmental impact and positively contribute to the local community.
Strengths of Biosphere:
- Cost-Effectiveness: Biosphere is competitively priced compared to other certifications available on the market. An annual subscription of only 359€/year. You receive all services, including the annual 100% online audit process to qualify for certification, at no additional cost.
- Flexibility: Biosphere adapts well to the needs of various companies of different sizes.
- Agility: The 100% online platform can be set up within minutes. An online audit request can be submitted at any time after providing evidence to cover the minimum requirements of certification and is typically processed within 20 working days.
Compatibility with STF Label: Biosphere serves as a base certificate for the Visit Finland STF label.