Dramatic Reduction in Carbon Emissions Observed in Travel and Tourism Sector, According to WTTC Report
The World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) latest Environmental & Social Research (ESR) reveals a mixed picture for the travel and tourism sector. On one hand, the sector is making strides in measuring and addressing its environmental footprint. On the other hand, it is still working towards aligning its trajectory with the Paris Agreement targets.
The report, titled "Social Trends in Travel & Tourism Employment: The Impacts of COVID-19", is available on the WTTC Research Hub. It highlights that in 2023, Travel & Tourism accounted for 6.5% of all global emissions, down from 7.8% in 2019. This indicates that the sector's economic contribution is growing faster than its environmental impact.
One of the key advancements is the increased use of low-carbon energy sources. The sector's reliance on fossil fuel energy sources dropped to 88.2% from 90% in 2019. Simultaneously, the share of low-carbon energy sources (nuclear and renewables) increased from 5.1% in 2019 to 5.9% in 2023.
Tools like Sustainable Travel International’s expanded carbon footprint calculator now include hotel stays alongside flights and car travel, providing more comprehensive measurement and awareness of travel emissions. The sector has also made formal commitments through initiatives such as the Glasgow Declaration, aiming to halve emissions by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050.
However, the sector still faces challenges. The continued rise in emissions due to overall growth in travel demand and the need for more widespread adoption of sustainability practices and technologies remain pressing issues. Balancing economic goals with environmental responsibilities is another challenge that the sector must address.
In response, governments are urged to reinvest additional revenues from the Travel & Tourism sector into decarbonizing infrastructure, expanding renewable energies, and supporting businesses in their green transition. This would help the sector to accelerate emission reduction measures and achieve the pledged halving of emissions by 2030 and net-zero by 2050.
The WTTC's latest Environmental & Social Research also focuses on the impacts of COVID-19 on employment in the Travel & Tourism sector. In 2023, global GHG emissions were 12% below the 2019 peak, and Travel & Tourism's contribution to global GDP almost reached pre-pandemic levels at US$9.9TN. The report provides insights into the impacts of COVID-19 on employment in the Travel & Tourism sector.
The World Travel & Tourism Council's 24th Global Summit is being held in Perth, Australia, where industry leaders will discuss these issues and more. The summit is an opportunity for the sector to come together and address the challenges it faces, with the aim of ensuring a sustainable and responsible future for travel and tourism.
- The travel and tourism sector, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) Environmental & Social Research, has witnessed an increase in the use of low-carbon energy sources, with the sector's reliance on fossil fuel energy sources decreasing from 90% in 2019 to 88.2% in 2023, a shift that is significant for the environmental science industry.
- To reach the targets set in the Paris Agreement, the travel and tourism sector needs to continue its efforts to align its trajectory. One way the sector can do this is by increasing investments in renewable energy, a fact emphasized by the WTTC's call for governments to reinvest additional revenues from the Travel & Tourism sector into decarbonizing infrastructure and expanding renewable energies.
- The travel and tourism industry, in response to the challenges posed by climate change and the need for sustainable practices, has made formal commitments through initiatives such as the Glasgow Declaration, aiming to halve emissions by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050. This commitment, however, requires not only technological advancements in renewable energy but also significant financial support from the industry, including the financial sector that plays a crucial role in the energy sector.
