WTTC reports significant fall in CO2 emissions

As tourism industry improved carbon efficiency by 20 per cent in the last decade, a 50 per cent cut is expected by 2035

“Travel & Tourism 2015; Connecting Global Climate Action” Paris conference report published this year by the World Travel & Tourism Council shows the sector's climate change improvement measures and industry progress in terms of carbon efficiency in the last ten years.

Considering the 20 per cent reduction in the last decade, the target the industry aims for a 25 per cent decrease until 2020 and a 50 per cent by 2035.

Talking about major changes the industry prepares for in the near future, the WTTC president David Scowsill said:

“In 2015, tourism is forecast to contribute almost ten per cent of world GDP and one in 11 of all jobs on the planet.

“The strength of the sector is due to continue for the next decade at almost four per cent per annum.

“With such robust growth, tourism’s relationship to climate change becomes critical.

“Much has changed in the six years since we published “Leading the Challenge on Climate Change” to support the global climate talks backing international agreements.

“While the sector has grown, added more jobs and contributed billions of dollars to economies all over the world, we have seen real commitment to sustainability from business as companies innovate and collaborate with others to reduce their overall impacts.

“WTTC Members are investing heavily in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, are protecting valuable ecosystems and have been building awareness of their actions among stakeholders and customers.

“The majority of WTTC Members are publicly disclosing their efforts through various means of Environmental, Social and Governance reporting.

“Per passenger, per room, per rental, per transaction, and per unit of revenue, we now serve global travelers 20 per cent more efficiently than in 2005 and are contributing to our goal of a 50 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2035.

“The next 20 years will be characterized by our sector fully integrating climate change and related issues into business strategy, supporting the global transition to a low carbon economy, strengthening resilience at a local level against climate risks, promoting the value of responsible travel, and greening entire supply chains.

“To reach these long term goals, much still needs to be done across tourism and other sectors, but we now have a common understanding and are ever-closer to agreement on the global actions necessary.”