Our Sustainable Supplier Pledge
Every step we take is guided by a commitment to reduce our environmental footprint. We collaborate with locally-owned accommodations and transport providers, ensuring your stay supports the people who call the Camino home. We encourage you to savor meals at independent restaurants and explore the rich traditions of each region—because sustainability isn’t just about preserving nature; it’s about uplifting communities.
Our work doesn’t stop there. We actively empower Camino communities to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives, ensuring that tourism remains economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially enriching for everyone involved.
Turning Promises into Action
Since 2023, we’ve been sending annual surveys to our suppliers to understand their environmental practices and impact. In 2024, we marked a milestone: after signing our Sustainability Pledge at the EU Commission in Brussels, we’ve doubled down on working with suppliers who share our vision for a greener future. Together, we’re building a network of partners who prioritize sustainability in everything they do.
How Does It Work?
But how do we turn these ambitious goals into tangible actions? Our approach is built around five core pillars: food management, waste management, water management, energy efficiency, and collaboration. These pillars guide us in identifying practical steps that our partners can take to reduce their environmental impact.
We support initiatives like installing solar panels, obtaining sustainability certifications, and switching to energy-efficient LED lighting. These actions, whether big or small, collectively contribute to a more sustainable Camino experience. By focusing on these key areas, we empower our partners to make a meaningful difference and ensure that every step you take leaves a lighter footprint.
Our 3-Leaf Sustainability Guide
To help us measure and acknowledge this effort, we have developed a weighting system that classifies suppliers according to their sustainable practices: the Camino 3 Leaves Sustainability Program! This system is collaborative and flexible, adapting to environmental needs and the suggestions we receive.
We’ve categorised these efforts into three levels:
🌿🌿🌿 (High): Suppliers who excel in multiple areas of sustainability.
🌿🌿 (Medium): Suppliers who are making progress in several areas.
🌿 (Moderate): Suppliers starting the journey to greener ways of working.
Our EU Commission Pledge
At Follow The Camino, we are deeply committed to operating with environmental sustainability at the heart of everything we do. Our efforts align with the goals of the Paris Agreement, including striving for a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030. Achieving these ambitious targets requires collective action and meaningful partnerships across the Camino network.
In 2025, we started prioritizing suppliers who demonstrate strong sustainability practices, recognizing and supporting those who lead the way in responsible tourism. This approach goes hand in hand with our 3-leaves initiative to foster a collaborative environment where every step contributes to a more sustainable future for the Camino.
Suppliers who align with our sustainability criteria will gain recognition for their commitment and stand out in an increasingly eco-conscious marketplace. However, this is not an exclusive effort—it’s an invitation for all our partners to join us on this journey toward a greener Camino. Collaboration is key, and every step forward is a step closer to a more sustainable future.
| Accommodation suppliers should have: | |||
| 2025 | 2028 | 2030 | |
| A sustainability action plan in line with the Paris Agreement | 15% | 30% | 60% |
| A sustainability credential provided by a recognised certifier | 5% | 25% | 50% |
| Transport services suppliers should have: | |||
| 2025 | 2028 | 2030 | |
| Use of electrical vehicles for luggage transfer across their fleet | 25% | 50% | 80% |
| A sustainability action plan in line with the Paris Agreement | 15% | 30% | 60% |
You can access translations of this Pledge below:
If you want to contact us, please reach out to Lihue Tula, Sustainability Advisor for Follow the Camino: lihue@followthecamino.com