The Tourism Industry Has Committed to Halt Biodiversity Loss by 2030, as Announced at COP15

The sector pledged to prevent and overturn biodiversity loss at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

A new partnership between the public and commercial sectors to prevent and counteract biodiversity destruction by 2030 was unveiled at COP15 in Montreal by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.

The post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework is intended to change the way humans interact with nature, and the ambition for the travel and tourism industry worldwide is to assist and inspire governments, companies, and society, in order to make this happen sooner.

By lowering carbon emissions, the effect of pollution, the wasteful use of resources, and safeguarding and rehabilitating the environment and its species, contributors to the vision have pledged to pursue a nature-positive strategy to global tourism.

A connection between travel and the natural world also exists on a fundamental level. Wildlife tourism generates approximately US $340 billion annually and supports over 21 million jobs worldwide, according to WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson.

“Today’s collaboration between WTTC, UNWTO and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, spearheading the sector’s vision to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030, shows our commitment to preserve the planet for future generations,” Simpson declared.

To help the living world recover from its present depleted condition, WTTC and ANIMONDIAL recently released a study called "Nature Positive Travel & Tourism," which focuses on stopping and correcting the accelerated pace of the destruction of nature. To accomplish this goal and support biodiversity, we must minimise existing damage and actively repair the natural systems.

International hotel chains, tour operators, travel agencies, hospitality hubs, and worldwide animal charities are just some of the almost 150 organisations that have signed on to the goal so far.

In addition to the influence of the private sector, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will strive to rally governments and international organisations behind the common goal of using tourism as a force for good in protecting species and their natural habitats.

Governments will adopt regulations that mandate biodiversity protection to be implemented across the board, from procurement to production, as envisioned in the agenda. As a result of this perspective, the industry will be able to take preventative measures to lessen its environmental footprint and promote the preservation and recovery of biodiversity.

The UNWTO estimates that the tourist industry accounts for around 40 percent of the worldwide "Blue Economy," hence a greater emphasis on the value of clean seas is essential.

The three organisations have issued a call to action to the Travel & Tourism industry, urging them to embrace the vision and commit to environment and wildlife protection.

 

Source: news.gtp.gr