COP29: UN Sustainable Tourism Declaration Signed by 50+ Countries

Over 50 countries signed a UN declaration at the COP29 summit in Azerbaijan, aiming to make global tourism more sustainable and climate-friendly. This declaration is hailed as a major step in addressing climate change in the tourism sector.

The UN Executive Director for Tourism, Zoritsa Urosevic, highlighted this achievement, noting that it marks the first time tourism is included in the UN Climate Change Conference Action Agenda.

Tourism's Role in Climate Change

Tourism is a major contributor to the global economy, accounting for 3% of the global GDP. However, it also generates 8.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Urosevic emphasized the importance of recognizing tourism in climate plans, including the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

These plans outline strategies that governments will follow to reduce emissions and fight global warming. The next update of NDCs is expected in February.

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Tourism’s Vulnerability to Climate Events

Tourism can be significantly impacted by climate events such as hurricanes, heatwaves, and droughts. For many countries, especially emerging economies, tourism generates substantial hard currency revenue. However, the sector is highly vulnerable to climate change. The head of Azerbaijan's tourism agency, Kanan Gasimov, acknowledged that the tourism sector's future depends on sustainable actions taken today.

Initiatives for Sustainable Tourism

In addition to the declaration, they launched several initiatives to drive sustainability in the tourism industry.

The World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance presented a framework designed to measure and report environmental data across the sector. This data will track greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, waste, and energy usage within the hospitality industry. Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the alliance, emphasized the need for the tourism industry and travelers to understand their environmental impact.

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The Role of the Hospitality Sector

The World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, representing 55,000 hotels and over 7 million rooms, is crucial in promoting sustainability. Major hotel chains such as Accor, Hilton, and Marriott are alliance members. Mandziuk stated that the hospitality industry has a vested interest in protecting tourism destinations. He also noted the importance of fostering conversations about sustainability within the sector.

The UN declaration and accompanying initiatives are critical in making the tourism industry more sustainable and climate-conscious. With tourism's significant contribution to global emissions and its vulnerability to climate change, these efforts are crucial in securing a more sustainable future for the industry. By embracing sustainability, the global tourism sector can continue to thrive while mitigating its environmental impact.