Travel Industry Called to Act on Climate Justice in Latest Report

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

A new report released today emphasizes the critical role of the travel industry in achieving a just climate transition. The report, titled “Climate Justice in Tourism: An Introductory Guide,” seeks to initiate a vital discussion on how companies can ensure that no destination is left behind.

Amid increasingly frequent and severe weather events, with 2023 being the hottest year on record, the report urges the travel industry to urgently coordinate resources and allyship for communities most at risk from climate change, especially those heavily dependent on tourism. It also calls for actions to make emissions more equitable, such as implementing a frequent flyer levy, noting that 1% of the world’s population (mainly from wealthier countries) is responsible for over 50% of aviation emissions, which are projected to continue growing.

The report’s conclusions are drawn from a collaboration between the Travel Foundation, the University of Waterloo, Tourism Cares, the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST), and Cuidadores de Destinos. Climate justice is defined as “recognizing the unequal responsibility that certain groups bear in relation to greenhouse gas emissions” and prioritizing “those who are most vulnerable to climate change, and who are often the least responsible for causing it.”

Despite a significant increase in climate action investments by travel companies, the report finds that published plans show little evidence of addressing climate risks to businesses or the communities they operate in, nor do they incorporate the perspectives of those communities. However, businesses collaborating with their suppliers and the wider community in vulnerable destinations are likely to emerge stronger, with resilient supply chains and enhanced reputations. Tourism leaders can discover new ways to collaborate on a large scale, coordinate support for local small businesses, and prioritize investments that fortify communities most dependent on tourism and most at risk from climate change.

Dr. Bobbie Chew Bigby, lead author of the report, said:

“Climate action is partial if it ignores the unequal impacts and challenges of the climate emergency on supply chains, places and communities – and may even lead to unintentional harms. And so – aside from the clear social, ethical and environmental imperatives – our report highlights the business benefits and significant opportunities for those taking a climate justice approach, as well as the mounting risks of not doing so. We hope this encourages action-oriented conversations, particularly involving communities at the sharp end that are not currently being heard.”

Organisations representing the travel industry have welcomed the report. The World Travel and Tourism Council said it “raised important questions” and “we must now collaborate, and partner with communities, to find answers and build a fairer future.” The World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance called the report “a vital beacon, guiding us towards a more equitable and resilient world.”

The report concludes with ten actionable ideas to scale collaborative efforts for climate justice in tourism, including:

• Establishing a global climate fund for travel and tourism to support green transitions and resilience-building in vulnerable destinations.
• Initiating pilot projects focused on key destinations and their critical climate-related issues, such as heat stress, water security, or catalyzing a green energy transition.
• Mobilizing the travel industry as first responders in times of crisis, supporting humanitarian agencies and local leaders by repurposing hotels, kitchens, resources, and logistical expertise.

The project team invites engagement from anyone interested in exploring how to rapidly bring these ten ideas to life.

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