World Tourism Organization urges global tourism sector to aim for climate neutrality by the year 2050
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) recently highlighted its commitment to combating climate change at the UN Climate Change Conference, COP25, held in Madrid. The council emphasised the need for urgent action to make the travel and tourism sector climate neutral by 2050.
During the conference, WTTC discussed the progress of its Climate & Environment Action Plan: S0AR. This strategic approach focuses on a multi-faceted approach, emphasising renewable energy, carbon reduction, and sustainable practices. The plan includes initiatives to reduce the use of plastics, food waste, and other measures for energy efficiency and the promotion of renewable energy.
One of the core pillars of S0AR is the scale-up of renewable energy production and usage across the sector. A massive increase in the production of renewable fuels is required, with the aim of building approximately 6,500 new renewable fuel plants by 2050. This will help decarbonise transport energy within the tourism sector.
Carbon neutrality is also a priority for WTTC, which plans to achieve this through a combination of incremental efficiency improvements, accelerated adoption of renewable energy, and nature-based offset solutions. These offset solutions can play an important role in offsetting emissions, such as blue carbon initiatives protecting marine and coastal ecosystems.
WTTC’s sector-wide action is aligned with bold targets like the “Net Zero 2030” goals at regional and destination levels. For example, Queenstown aims for carbon zero by 2030. These targets serve as stepping stones towards the 2050 objective.
Broader sector initiatives include investment in regenerative destinations, sustainable and smart infrastructure, and talent development. These measures will ensure a resilient and inclusive approach, as seen in related global efforts like Saudi Arabia’s massive future-ready tourism development plans.
The COP25 event also highlighted the ongoing partnership between WTTC and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as evidenced by the Common Agenda signed in 2018. WTTC has also spearheaded a Sustainable Travel & Tourism Partner programme to recognise companies taking significant steps towards sustainability.
The travel and tourism sector, which supports one in 10 jobs globally and contributes 10.4% to global GDP, is responsible for 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Marriott and Intrepid Travel Group are among the companies taking action, with Marriott committing to ending single-use plastic toiletries by 2020, and Intrepid Travel Group aiming to become the first climate-positive travel company by 2020.
WTTC’s commitment to the global fight against climate change through its S0AR plan was reiterated at the COP25 event. For the most precise and updated plan details, direct consultation of WTTC’s official publications is recommended.
The World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) S0AR plan, focused on climate-change and environmental-science, includes the scale-up of renewable energy production and usage in the sector, aiming to build approximately 6,500 new renewable fuel plants by 2050 to achieve carbon neutrality. Additionally, financial investments within the sector, such as those made by Marriott and Intrepid Travel Group towards sustainability, demonstrate the business aspect of addressing climate change in travel and tourism.
