![Persoon staat in de deuropening van een trein](https://www.buas.nl/sites/default/files/styles/header_slider_default/public/2025-11/Sustainability%20Tourism%20and%20Transport_2%20%281%29.jpg?h=282517cf&itok=XWcrb2kO) # Sustainability, Tourism and Transport **Professor**: Nina Nesterova, PhD **Research topic**: transition to sustainable tourism and leisure mobility. [Contact ](mailto:Peeters.p@buas.nl) The Centre for Sustainability, Tourism and Transport (CSTT) is dedicated to driving the transition to sustainable tourism and leisure mobility by reducing the climate footprint of these sectors. At the heart of our strategy is the vision for a just tourism and leisure mobility system within planetary and societal boundaries. CSTT envisions a tourism and leisure mobility system characterised by widespread and structural adoption of more sustainable transport modes and a reduction in distances, both for travelling to and within destinations. Central to this vision are inclusivity, justice, and well-being that ensure equitable transitions for all stakeholders, from local communities to international tourists, and long-term economic sustainability that minimises climate vulnerability. Through research, consultancy, and education, we create meaningful change by supporting public authorities, industries and society in embracing sustainable practices. By fostering active engagement and dialogue among stakeholders, we build shared understanding of what sustainable tourism and leisure mobility can look like and identify achievable pathways forwards. Our programme operates through three interrelated research pillars: - Reimagining alternative futures for sustainable tourism and leisure mobility by generating knowledge. - Navigating sustainable tourism and leisure mobility transition by addressing existing tensions and paradoxes, and by providing methodological tools to turn unproductive debates into constructive discussions. - Driving transformation of the tourism and leisure mobility system through targeted, evidence-based interventions at various geographical scales and transport modalities. Six research priorities operationalise these pillars: - **Just and inclusive tourism and leisure mobility**: examining systems from a social science perspective to ensure environmental sustainability and social justice, addressing inequalities in accessibility, affordability, and climate justice. - **Climate impacts and risks in tourism**: investigating how climate change affects the sector and developing risk assessment tools to support industry adaptation. - **Measuring tourism and leisure carbon footprints**:analysing emission drivers to guide reduction strategies and advance measurement adoption. - **Climate obstruction analysis**: examining power relations and barriers to climate action to inform policy developers. - **Urban and rural mobility solutions**: supporting sustainable mobility for attractions, events, and destinations. - **Systems approach**: developing comprehensive frameworks addressing complex interactions to guide evidence-based interventions. The research team: - Nina Nesterova - Harald Buijtendijk - Erdinç Çakmak - Eke Eijgelaar - Ivar Neelis - Sjors Martens - Elisa van den Heuvel We keep our own carbon footprint low. We use low-carbon modes of transport as much as possible. ![](https://www.buas.nl/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_gemiddeld_wysiwyg/public/2023-03/Nina.jpg?h=cd2a7045&itok=ZvRkLFGb) ### Dr. Nina Nesterova **Professor** [nesterova.N@buas.nl](mailto:Nesterova.N@buas.nl) [![Nina Nesterova op LinkedIn](https://www.buas.nl/sites/default/files/2021-04/linkedin-icon-sm.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-nina-nesterova-79b48b1/) [Publications](https://pure.buas.nl/en/organisations/centre-for-sustainability-tourism-and-transport-cstt/publications/) [Projects](https://pure.buas.nl/en/organisations/centre-for-sustainability-tourism-and-transport-cstt/projects/) ## Featured Projects: Sustainability, Tourism and Transport ![](https://www.buas.nl/sites/default/files/styles/19_7_card_xl/public/Interim.jpg?h=25f502c3&itok=WBPfHQmA) ### INTERIM This project investigates which forms of cooperation can contribute to a more sustainable mobility system, both for the commuter and the recreative traveler. [ Read more ](https://www.buas.nl/en/research/professorships/sustainability-tourism-and-transport/interim) ![Een meer in het bos](https://www.buas.nl/sites/default/files/styles/19_7_card_xl/public/2023-09/Mona%20header.png?h=00f78bc0&itok=ydgCWUZB) ### MONA MONA will stimulate sustainable tourism in and around nature areas in North-West Europe which benefits nature, the environment, visitors, and the local economy. [ Read more ](https://www.buas.nl/en/research/professorships/sustainable-transport-and-tourism/project-mona) ![Een groene voetafdruk](https://www.buas.nl/sites/default/files/styles/19_7_card_xl/public/2021-06/carbon.jpg?h=284110ac&itok=MgjmoeKN) ### Data-Driven Sustainable Tourism This project extends the knowledge and scope of carbon footprinting in tourism. [ Read more ](https://pure.buas.nl/en/projects/data-driven-sustainable-tourism-dealing-with-climate-change) ![Een grote stad met wolkenkrabbers](https://www.buas.nl/sites/default/files/styles/19_7_card_xl/public/Built%20Environment%20-%20ELEVATE.jpg?h=25f502c3&itok=m0SIx4lq) ### ELEVATE Impact of Europe-wide research and innovation on urban mobility policy-making. [ Read more ](https://www.buas.nl/en/research/professorships/sustainable-transport-and-tourism/project-elevate) ![Een hand houdt groene en een donkere wereldbol vast ](https://www.buas.nl/sites/default/files/styles/19_7_card_xl/public/2023-11/Crossretour%20header.png?h=00f78bc0&itok=o4nWXIyB) ### Cross-Re-Tour Cross-Re-Tour supports European tourism SME with the implementation of digital and circular economy innovations. [ Read more ](https://www.buas.nl/en/research/professorships/sustainable-transport-and-tourism/cross-re-tour) ![Een fiets op een fietspad](https://www.buas.nl/sites/default/files/styles/19_7_card_xl/public/2023-03/Fiets.png?h=fc065054&itok=Oz8iJlp7) ### Greengage Greengage develops innovative governance models using citizens science in the development of local climate mitigation and adaptation policies. [ Read more ](https://www.buas.nl/en/research/professorships/sustainable-transport-and-tourism/greengage) ![Een bankje staat bijna onder water tijdens een overstroming](https://www.buas.nl/sites/default/files/styles/19_7_card_xl/public/2023-11/TourRisk%20Header.png?h=00f78bc0&itok=hfI3U30Z) ### TourRisk An advise on Norwegian tourism’s commitment to zero emissions before 2050 and adaptation to climate change. [ Read more ](https://www.buas.nl/en/research/professorships/sustainable-transport-and-tourism/tourrisk) ![Bergen met sneeuw en naaldbossen](https://www.buas.nl/sites/default/files/styles/19_7_card_xl/public/2023-11/Envisioning%20Tourism%202030%20Header.png?h=00f78bc0&itok=j2lbopNk) ### Envisioning Tourism in 2030 Developing a global tourism scenario that achieves 50% reduction of greenhouse gases by 2030 and zero by 2050. [ Read more ](https://www.buas.nl/en/research/professorships/sustainable-transport-and-tourism/envisioning-tourism-in-2030)