8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
1/29
From Davos to Copenhagen and Beyond:Advancing Tourisms Response
to Climate Change
UNWTO Background Paper
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
2/29
Copyright 2009 World Tourism Organization
Website:www.unwto.org
Email:[email protected]
Acknowledgements
Conceptandsupervision
LuigiCabrini(UNWTO)
Consultants
Dr.
Murray
Simpson
(University
of
Oxford,
UK)
Dr.DanielScott(UniversityofWaterloo,Canada)
Review
Eugenio
Yunis,
Zoritsa
Urosevic,
Sofia
Gutierrez,
Philippe
Lemaistre
and
Alejandro
Calvente
(UNWTO)
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
3/29
FromDavostoCopenhagenandbeyond:
advancingtourismsresponsetoclimatechange
UNWTO
Background
Paper
TableofContents
ExecutiveSummary ......................................................................................................................................2
1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................4
1.1Tourism
and
Climate
Change
.....................................................................................................4
1.2TheUnitedNationsandclimatechange ...................................................................................7
2.AgreementsonGHGemissionsreductionsandtheirimpactontourism ........................................8
3.UNWTOresponsestoclimatechange ............................................................................................10
4.CapacitybuildingandawarenessraisingeventsorganisedandsupportedbyUNWTO ................13
5.TheresponseofGovernmentsandtheprivatesectortothechallengesthatclimatechange
posestoTourism ................................................................................................................................15
6.Conclusions......................................................................................................................................17
References ..................................................................................................................................................18
AnnexI........................................................................................................................................................23
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
4/29
2
ExecutiveSummary
Tourismand travel is avital contributor to theglobaleconomy andespecially important formany
developingcountries. Tourism isaneffectivewayofredistributingwealthandacatalystforgender
equality,culturalpreservationandnatureconservation. Asaresult,thesectorisalsocontributingto
theUN
Millennium
Development
Goals.
Climatechangeisoneofthemostseriousthreatstosociety,theeconomyandtheenvironmentand
hasbeenan issueof internationalconcern fordecades. The InterGovernmentalPanelonClimate
Change(IPCC)hasreportedthatwarmingoftheglobalclimatesystem isunequivocalandthatitis
very likely that anthropogenic (humanmade) greenhouse gases (GHG) have causedmost of the
observedglobaltemperaturerisesincethemiddleofthe20thCentury. Ambitiousemissionsreduction
targetsfordevelopedcountriesandaneffectiveframeworkthataddressestheneedsofdeveloping
countriesarerequired.
As climate defines the length and quality of tourism seasons, affects tourism operations, and
influencesenvironmental
conditions
that
both
attract
and
deter
visitors,
the
sector
is
considered
to
be
highlyclimatesensitive. Theeffectsofachangingclimatewillhaveconsiderableimpactsontourism
andtravelbusinesses. Insomepartsoftheworld,these impactsare increasinglybecomingevident.
The Caribbean, Small IslandDeveloping States, Southeast Asia and Africa are the tourism regions
thoughttobemostatrisk. Climatechangeadaptation,bythetravelandtourismsector,willensure
thatindividuals,communitiesandnationscontinuetoreceivethebenefitsoftourism.
Tourismandtravel isalsoavectorofclimatechange,accounting forapproximatelyfivepercentof
global carbon dioxide emissions. By 2035, under a business as usual scenario, carbon dioxide
emissions from global tourism areprojected to increaseby130per cent. Mostof the increase is
attributedtoairtravelbutthetourismsectorhaspledgedtosubstantiallyreduceemissions.
As tourism is so important topoverty reductionandeconomicdevelopment indevelopingnations,
anypoliciesaimedatmitigatingand reducinggreenhousegasemissions shouldbe formulatedand
implemented inaconsideredway inordernottodisadvantagethesecountries. Thetransportation
sector,sofundamentaltotourism,willformacriticalaspectofnationaland internationalmitigation
policy negotiations. Any strong global emission policy for aviation would have considerable
consequences fordestinationsdependingon tourismandtravel.UNWTOhascalled forpreferential
treatmentforairservicesthatsupportthedevelopmentoftourismintheleastdevelopedcountries.
UNWTOhasbeenworkingtoraiseawarenessonclimatechangeissuesinthetourismsectorformany
years andmuch hasbeendone. In Tunisia in 2003, the first InternationalConference onClimate
Changeand
Tourism
was
organised
by
UNWTO
and
several
other
United
Nations
agencies.
The
conferenceresultedintheDjerbaDeclarationonClimateChangeandTourism,whichhighlightedthe
obligationofthetourismindustrytoreducetheirgreenhousegasemissionsandrecognizedthetwo
wayrelationshipbetweentourismandclimatechange.
AsecondInternationalConferenceonClimateChangeandTourismwasheldinDavos,Switzerlandin
2007. TheDavosDeclaration includedfirmrecommendationsandaclearcommitmentforactionto
respond to the climate change challenge including the urgent adoption of a range of sustainable
tourism policies.UNWTO is leading by example and has calculated the greenhouse gas emissions
generatedby itsownoperations since 2008 and intends to compensate them inorder to achieve
climateneutrality.
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
5/29
3
Reducingemissionsisimportantforthelongterm,howeverthetourismandtravelsectoralsoneeds
toadapttothe impactsofclimatechange intheshort andmediumterm. Acrossdestinationsand
locationsthequality,quantityandaccuracyofclimateprojectiondatavaries. Thiscouldlimitoraffect
hownations,especiallydevelopingcountries,adapt toclimatechange. TheWMO, incollaboration
withUNWTO,establishedanExpertTeamonClimateandTourism. Their rolewas to improve the
applicationof
information
in
the
tourism
sector.
In
2007,
UNWTO
launched
aClimate
and
Tourism
Information Exchange Service to enable tourism stakeholders access to research and data. The
organization has developed and disseminated technical publications addressing climate change
impactsandadaptationresponses.Themost importantoftheseareClimateChangeandTourism
Responding to Global Challenges in support of the Davos Declaration, and Climate Change
AdaptationandMitigation in theTourismSector:Frameworks,ToolsandPractices incoordination
withtheUniversityofOxford,theWMO,andUNEPreleasedin2008.
Theprivatesectorisalsoimportantinaddressingthechallengesclimatechangeposesfortourismand
travel. They have an important role, alongwith nongovernmental organisations, in encouraging
governmentstodevelopandimplementregulatorypoliciesandoffereconomicincentives.
In June 2008, CEOs representing every industrial sector across the world, submitted a set of
recommendationstotheG8 leaders for inclusionwithinapostKyotoclimate framework. InMarch
2009,aWorldEconomicForumTaskForceonLowCarbonProsperitywaslaunchedpartlyinresponse
totherecommendationsfromtheCEOsandalsotoconsiderhowtheyshouldbe implemented. An
ambitiousvisionfortacklinggreenhousegasemissions,includingacommitmenttocutbyhalfcarbon
emission levelsof2005by2035,wasproposedbytheWorldTravelandTourismCouncil (WTTC) in
2009. Toachievethis,WTTCrecognisedthatpartnershipscanplayanimportantrole.
Theissueofclimatechangeisnowfirmlyentrenchedintheglobalagendaandcriticalnegotiationsfor
agreenhouse gasemissions framework continue. The tourismand travel sectormustaddress the
climatechange
issue
and
UNWTO
has
embraced
the
challenge
of
responding
by
establishing
collaborativepartnerships,raisingawareness,developingguidanceandprovidingsupport.Thetimeis
rightforallthoseinvolvedtoforgeahead. Anyfurtherdelayinactionwillresultinconsequencesfor
thetourismindustryandthepeoplewhodependuponthesector.
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
6/29
4
1. Introduction
1.1. TourismandClimateChange
Tourismand travel isoneof the largestglobaleconomic sectorsand isa significant contributor to
manynational
and
local
economies
around
the
world.
In
2008,
there
were
922
million
international
tourist arrivalswith tourism receipts ofUS$944 billioni. It is estimated that the global travel and
tourismindustrycontributed9.6percentofglobalGrossDomesticProduct(GDP)and7.9percentof
worldwideemployment in2008ii. However, tourismdemandhasslowedsubstantiallyover the last
yearasaresultoftheglobaleconomiccrisis. Internationaltourismandtravelisavitalcontributorto
theeconomyofmanydevelopingcountries. Between1995and2007,tourismandtravelinemerging
anddevelopingmarketsgrewattwicetherateof industrializedcountriesiii. Tourismandtravel isa
primarysourceofforeignexchangeearningsin46outof50oftheworldsLDCsiv. Withinternational
touristarrivalsprojectedtoreach1.6billionby2020v,tourismwillcontinuetohaveanimportantrole
in contributing to theUNMillenniumDevelopmentGoals,particularly the alleviationofpoverty in
developingcountries.
Climate change is thought tobeoneof themost serious threats to society, theeconomy and the
environment(Box1).
Box1:ClimatechangeandtheInterGovernmentalPanelonClimateChange(IPCC)
In2007,theInterGovernmentalPanelonClimateChange(IPCC)reportedthatwarming
of the global climate system is unequivocal and that it is very likely that
anthropogenic (humanmade) greenhouse gases (GHG) have caused most of the
observedglobal temperature rise since themiddleof the20th
Centuryvi.The IPCCalso
emphasizedthathumaninducedclimatechangehasonlyjustbegunandthatthepaceof
climatechange
is
very
likely
to
accelerate.
Depending
on
future
GHG
emission
trajectories, the IPCC predicts that global average surface temperatures will increase
between1.8oC4.0
oCby2100vii.
The environmental and economic risks of themagnitude of climate change projected for the 21st
centuryareconsiderableandhavefeaturedprominentlyinrecentinternationalpolicydebatesviii.The
IPCCixconcluded,withveryhighconfidence, thatclimatechangewould impede theabilityofmany
developing nations tomake progress on sustainable development bymidcentury and become a
security risk thatwould steadily intensify,particularlyunder greaterwarming scenarios. The Stern
Review similarlyconcluded that the costsof takingaction to reduceGHGemissionsnowwouldbe
muchsmaller
than
the
costs
of
economic
and
social
disruption
resulting
from
inaction
on
climate
change. While additional warming cannot be avoided, future temperature increases will heavily
dependon global emissionpathwaysover the next four decades. At the 15thConferenceof the
Parties inCopenhagen,the internationalcommunitywillattempttonegotiateanewclimatechange
agreement that would ensure that global temperature increase does not exceed 2C, a level of
warming considered by many scientists and over 100 nationsx, including the G8, to represent
dangerous interference with the climate system as outlined in the United Nations Framework
ConventiononClimateChange(UNFCCC)xi.
With itscloserelationshiptotheenvironmentandclimate,tourismandtravel isconsideredtobea
highlyclimatesensitiveeconomicsectorxii. Tourismdestinationsandtourismoperatorsareaffected
byclimate
variability
in
anumber
of
ways
(Box
2).
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
7/29
5
Box2:Theeffectofclimatevariabilityontourismdestinationsandoperators
Climatedefinesthelengthandqualityoftourismseasons(e.g.wintersports)indifferent
regions.Sometourismdestinationsareclimatedependent;sinceclimateistheprincipal
resourceuponwhichthetourismindustryisbased(e.g.manytropicalsmallisland
developingstates).
Climatedirectlyaffectsvariousfacetsoftourismoperations(e.g.watersupplyand
quality,heatingcoolingcosts,snowmakingrequirements,irrigationneeds,pest
management,evacuationsandtemporaryclosures)thataffectprofitability.
Moreover,awiderangeoftheenvironmentalresourcesthatarecriticalattractionsfor
tourisminmanydestinationsaresensitivetoclimatevariability,suchaswildlifeand
biodiversity,waterlevelsandquality,andsnowconditionsandglacierextent.
Climatealsoinfluencesenvironmentalconditionsthatcandetertourists,including
infectiousdiseases,
wildfires,
algal
blooms,
insect
or
water
borne
pests
(e.g.
jellyfish),
and
extremeeventssuchashurricanes,floodsorheatwaves.
Climateisalsoacrucialdeterminantoftouristdecisionmaking.Seasonalclimate
fluctuationsattourismdestinationsandatmajoroutboundmarketsarekeydriversof
tourismdemandatglobalandregionalscales. Weatherisanintrinsiccomponentofthe
travelexperienceandalsoinfluencestouristspendingandholidaysatisfaction.
As a consequence, the integrated effects of climate change are anticipated to have farreaching
impacts on tourism and travel businesses and destinations. Indeed, climate change is not some
distant,future
threat
to
tourism
and
travel,
as
the
varied
impacts
of
climate
change
are
increasingly
becoming evident in various destinations around the world and affecting the tourism and travel
industry and the communities who depend upon it. Climate change is also already altering the
decisionsoftravellersintermsofthedestinationstheychooseandthetimingoftheirtrips. Climate
changewill result in both negative and positive impacts for the tourism and travel sector and its
impactswillvarysubstantiallybygeographicregionandsectorxiii. Therearefourbroadpathwaysby
whichclimatechangewillaffecttheglobaltourismandtravelsectorxiv:
a.)
Direct climate impacts: Changes in the length and quality of climatedependent tourism
seasons(i.e.sunandseaorwintersportsholidays)couldhaveconsiderable implications for
competitive relationships between destinations and intraregional tourism flows. Other
impactswill
include
increased
infrastructure
damage,
additional
emergency
preparedness
requirements,higheroperatingexpenses (e.g. insurance,backupwaterandpower systems,
andevacuations),andbusiness interruptions.Similarly,keyculturalheritageassets thatare
also important attractions for tourists arealso increasingly threatenedbyextreme climatic
eventsandprojectedclimatechange.
b.) Indirect environmental change impacts: Tourism isoften based on ahigh qualitynatural
environment. Changes inwater availability, biodiversity loss, reduced landscape aesthetic,
alteredagriculturalproduction(e.g.winetourism),increasednaturalhazards,coastalerosion
and inundation, damage to infrastructure and the increasing incidence of vectorborne
diseaseswill all impact tourism to varying degrees. In contrast to the varied impacts of a
changedclimateontourism,theindirecteffectsofclimateinducedenvironmentalchangeare
likelyto
be
largely
negative.
Mountain,
island,
and
coastal
destinations
are
considered
particularlysensitivetoclimateinducedenvironmentalchange,asarenaturebasedtourism
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
8/29
6
market segmentsxv. Visitorsmaybedeterred from visiting if thequalityof the attractions
decreasesmarkedly.
c.)
Impactsofmitigationpoliciesontourismmobility: Aswillbediscussedinmoredetaillater,
national or international policies to reduce GHG emissionswill potentially impact tourism
flowsbycausinganincreaseintransportcostsandfosteringenvironmentalattitudesthatlead
touriststo
change
their
travel
patterns
(e.g.
shift
transport
mode
or
destination
choices)
xvi
.d.)
Indirectsocietalchangeimpacts: The impactsof,andadaptingto,climatechangewillhave
aneconomiccost. Ifnottackled,climatechangemayalsothreaten futureeconomicgrowth
andeventhepoliticalstabilityofsomenationsxvii.AnyreductionofglobalGDPduetoclimate
changewouldhavenegative implications foranticipated futuregrowth intourism. Tourists
areaversetopoliticalinstabilityandsocialunrest,andtherewouldbenegativerepercussions
fortourismintheclimatechangesecurityhotspots.
Thetourismandtravelsector ischaracterizedbyconsiderablediversityandconsequently,thereare
extensive differences in the nature of climate sensitivities and adaptive capacities of tourism and
traveloperatorsanddestinations.Furthermore, the implicationsofclimatechange forany tourism
businessor
destination
will
also
partially
depend
on
the
impacts
on
its
competitors,
with
anegative
impact inonepartof the tourism system constituting anopportunityelsewhere. Assessmentsby
different groups of international expertsxviii have consistently identified developing nations in the
Caribbean, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Southeast Asia, and Africa as the most atrisk
tourism destinations, because of their high exposure tomultiple climate change impacts thatwill
affectkeytourismproducts,distancetomajormarkets(longhaultravelgreaterthanfivehours)and
consequent exposure to increasingly stringent emissionspolicyon aviation, loweroverall adaptive
capacity, limiteddomesticmarkets and ahigheconomicdependencyon international tourism and
travel.
Regardless of their relative vulnerability to climate change, all tourism and travel businesses and
destinationswill
need
to
adapt
to
climate
change
in
order
to
minimize
associated
risks
or
capitalize
upon new opportunities, in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable mannerxix.
Considering that the large information requirements, policy changes and investments required for
effectiveadaptationby tourismand traveldestinationswill requiredecades to implement in some
cases,theprocessofadaptationmustcommencenowfordestinationsanticipatedtobeamongthose
impactedbymid centuryxx.
Withtheirhighcapacitytoadapttotheeffectsofclimatechangebysubstitutingtheplace,timingand
typeofholidaysintheirtraveldecisionmaking,touristswillplayapivotalroleintheeventualimpacts
ofclimatechangeonthetourismandtravelindustryanddestinations. Touristsarealsoincreasingly
willing topay apremium for sustainabilityorenvironmentallyfriendlypractices andoperators are
respondingwith
new
products
and
services
xxi
.
Tourismand travelalso contributes to climate change through theemissionofGHG. Tourismand
travelaccountsforapproximatelyfivepercentofglobalcarbondioxideemissionsxxii. Thetransportof
tourists toandwithindestinationsaccounts for75per centofall carbondioxideemissionsby the
tourismsector,withairtravelmakingupabout40percentofthetotalxxiii.Ithasalsobeenpredicted
that,underabusinessasusualscenario,carbondioxideemissions fromtheglobaltourismsector
will increase by 130 per cent by 2035xxiv.Most of this growthwas attributed to air travel. This
projectedgrowthinemissionsfromtourismisinconsistentwiththedeepemissionreductionsneeded
toaddressclimatechange;thepledgeofthetourismsectortosubstantiallyreduceemissions inthe
decadesaheadisdiscussedbelow.
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
9/29
7
1.2.
TheUnitedNationsandclimatechange
Acrucialinterdependenceexistsbetweentheclimate,theenvironment,tourismandcommunitiesxxv.
In the year 2000, world leaders gathered in New York to adopt the United Nations Millennium
Declarationwhichcommittedthemtoaseriesoftimeboundtargetswithadeadlineof2015. These
developmentobjectives,
with
an
overall
focus
on
reducing
extreme
poverty,
became
known
as
the
MillenniumDevelopmentGoals(MDGs).
Theworldspoorestpeoplearethemostvulnerabletotheimpactsofclimatechangesuchasfloods,
watershortagesandchangesinbiodiversity. Countriesthatareperhapsleastpreparedtodealwith
theeffectsarealreadysufferingthemoreseriousimpactsofclimatechange. However,tourismisone
of thebestknownwaysof redistributingwealth from richnations topoornationsand fromurban
areas to rural areas. It is also an effective catalyst for gender equality, cultural preservation and
natureconservation.
Asaresultoftheeconomicandsocialbenefitsoftourism,thesectorisincreasinglybeingpromotedas
contributingto,
and
being
avital
element
in,
the
alleviation
of
poverty
in
Least
Developed
Countries
asoneoftheUNMillenniumDevelopmentGoals. Inaddition,tourismandtravelalsocontributesto
theenvironmentalsustainabilityandgenderequalitygoals. Asaresult,in2002,UNWTOlauncheda
programme on Sustainable Tourism Eliminating Poverty (STEP).UNWTO have also adopted the
strapline:committedtotourism,travelandtheMillenniumDevelopmentGoals.
The issue of climate change has been of international concern for several decades. In 1992, the
UnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononClimateChange(UNFCCC)wasadoptedasthebasisfora
globalresponsetotheissue(Box3).
Box3:KyotoProtocolandcarbondioxideemissionreductions
ThefirstphaseoftheKyotoProtocolexpires in2012. The IPCCsuggeststhat ifcarbon
dioxideemissionsdeclineby50to85percentof2000emissionsby2050,globalwarming
by theendof thecentury is likely to remainbetween2.02.4C. Internationalbusiness
organizations such as the World Economic Forumxxvi
and the Copenhagen Climate
Councilxxvii have endorsed the IPCCs recommendation. The leaders of theG8xxviii also
endorsed an emission reduction target of 50% by 2050, but could not agree on a
baselineof1990or2005.
Theglobalclimatepolicynegotiationscontinuetoprovideclarityonsomefundamentally important
issuessuch
as
ambitious
emission
reduction
targets
for
developed
countries
and
an
effective
institutionalframeworkwithgovernancestructuresthataddresstheneedsofdevelopingcountriesxxix.
Itishopedthatthediscussionswillresultinanambitious,butfair,climatechangedeal. Governments
fromaroundtheworldwillbeseekingagreementona longtermgoalforgreenhousegasemissions
reduction;actionon themitigationofclimatechange;adaptation to theeffectsof climatechange;
technologydevelopmentand transfer to supportmitigationandadaptation;andproviding financial
resources and investment to supportmitigation and adaptation (especially in the LeastDeveloped
Countries).
TheUnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme(UNEP)has launchedaGreenEconomyInitiativewhich
aims to revive the global economy and boost employment,whilst simultaneously accelerating the
fightagainst
climate
change,
environmental
degradation
and
poverty.
Within
the
Green
Economy
Initiativereport,UNWTOandUNEPwilljointlyproduceachapterandaseriesofbackgroundpapers
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
10/29
8
devotedtohow investment insustainabletourismandtravelsolutionscancontributetosustainable
developmentandtoagreeneconomy.
2. Agreements on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reductions and their
impacton
tourism
Actiontoreducecurrent levelsofgreenhouseemissionswillnotonlyminimisethethreatofclimate
changebutwillalsoprovideanopportunitytodevelopasustainableglobaleconomy.Anymitigation
policies should be developed and implemented in a considered way so as not to negatively
disadvantage the least developed countries and the tourism industry contributing to poverty
reductionandeconomicdevelopment.Thetourismandtravelcommunitymustbe fullyengaged in,
and supportive of this process. There are also a number ofmechanisms that could be used for
addressinggreenhousegasemissionsincluding:
Reducing energy use. This should be the starting point and is themost essential aspect of
mitigation. It could be achieved through a shift in transport use or changing managementpractices.
Improvingenergyefficiency. Technologicaldevelopmentswillhelp reduceemissions from, for
example,aviationasitmayreducefueluseandimproveaircraftperformance.
Increasingtheuseofrenewableenergy. Thisisanareathat,withtherightinvestment,couldbe
veryapplicabletotourismespeciallysolarpanels,waterrecyclingorpassiveheatingcooling.
Sequesteringcarbonthroughsinks(oftenforestryschemes)andtheuseofcarboncompensation
oroffsetting (Box4). These schemesarecurrentlyvoluntaryandUNEPhas suggested thatare
unlikelytohaveamajorimpactonthereductionofaviationgreenhousegasemissionsxxx.
Box
4:
Carbon
Offsetting
There is a growing number of notfor profit organisations that offer travellers the
opportunitytocompensate,throughadditionalpayment,fortheemissionsproducedasa
resultofflightsundertaken. Flightcalculatorsareusedtomakeassessmentofemissions
generated by a flight between two airports. The money is then reinvested in a
renewableenergyprojectsalllocatedindevelopingcountriesxxxi.
Asmany of the schemes are voluntary, there is confusion among tourists about the
variousapproachesxxxii. TheUNFCCChas introducedaGoldStandardCertifiedEmission
Reductionstoensurethattheprojectscertifieddoatleasthavesustainabledevelopment
benefits.
Addressing GHG emissions from the transportation sector is a critical aspect of national and
internationalmitigationpolicynegotiationsxxxiii. Consequently, it is anticipated that climate change
mitigationpolicywillhavebothneartermand longtermimplicationsforthecostsoftransportation
that are fundamental to tourism (automobile, air travel, and cruise ships in particular)xxxiv.
Internationalaviationiscriticaltotourismwith52percentoftravellersreachingtheirdestinationby
airxxxv. Asindicated,itisalsothedominantcontributortoGHGemissionsfromtravelandtourism(40
percentoftheindustryscarbondioxideemissions)xxxvi. Currentlyinternationalaviationemissionsare
excluded from theKyototargets. Nonetheless,Article2,paragraph2of theProtocoldoessaythat
Annex
1
Parties
xxxvii
(industrialised
countries)
are
committed
to
pursue
limitation
or
reduction
of
GHG
emissions. Sowhilsttheremaynotbespecific,measurabletargets,thereisalreadyarequirementfor
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
11/29
9
industrialised nations to implementmeasures to reduce emissions. Within Europe, the Emissions
Trading Scheme (ETS), which has been operational since 2005, will begin to include air carrier
operationsto,fromandwithinEuropein2012.
A number of studies have examined the potential impact of a range of aviation sectortargeted
climatepolicies
on
the
future
of
international
tourism.
There
is
no
evidence
to
suggest
that
climate
policies or international aviation industry initiatives, as currently proposed, would have any
substantialimpactonthegrowthoftouristarrivalsthrough2020xxxviii. Evenwith,forexample,ticket
price increases,manypeoplewill stillwantorneed to travel and as tourism is such an important
economic sector,especially fordeveloping countries,operatorswill try toencourage tourismeven
withindustryclimatepolicies.
Therehasbeenconsiderabledialogueonfuturepolicyframeworkstomanageemissionreductionsin
the transportation sector.xxxix The role the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has in
providingleadershiponreducinggreenhousegasemissionswithintheaviationsectorresultedinthe
formationof theGroupon InternationalAviation andClimateChange (GIACC)xl. The treatmentof
greenhousegas
emissions
from
international
aviation
is
one
of
the
most
contentious
issues
within
the
UNFCCC process. TheGIACC have adopted the aspirational goal of annual improvements in fuel
efficiencyof2percentuptotheyear2050andalsodevelopedaProgrammeofActionthatincludes
strategiestoachievereductionsinemissions.
InFebruary2009, the ICAOorganisedan internationalWorkshoponAviationandAlternativeFuels.
Therewasgeneralagreementthatalternativefuelscanbeawinwinsolutionforreducingaviations
dependenceon fossilfuelsandakeyelementtohelpreducethe impactonclimatechange. Itwas
alsosuggestedthattheadoptionofalternativefuelsbytheaviation industrymaybesimplerthanin
othersectorsdue totherelativelysmallnumberof fuelling locations. Variousblendsofalternative
fuelshavebeentestedandprogressisbeingmadeindevelopment.
The International Road TransportUnion (IRU) represents the passenger and goods road transport
industry. InNovember2009,theIRUadoptedthe30by30resolution,which includesavoluntary
commitmentbytheroadtransportindustrytoreduceitsCO2emissionsby30percentby2030(witha
baseyearof2007)xli. The IRU isalsopromotingthechangefromdependenceonfossilfuelstoalso
usingalternativeenergyandfuelsources.
Whilstnotabigcontributortotourismdirectly,theinternationalshipping industry isresponsiblefor
transportingabout90percentofworld tradexlii. Forover50years, theUN InternationalMaritime
Organisation(IMO)hasprovidedtheglobalregulatoryframeworkwithinwhichtheshippingindustry
operates. Whilst it isalreadythemostcarbonefficientmodeofcommercialtransport,thesector is
committedto
reduce
their
GHG
emissions.
However,
shipping
companies
can
choose
the
flag
state
in which to register their vessels and emissions cannot be attributed to any particular national
economyxliii. Asaresult,multilateralcooperationisrequired.
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
12/29
10
Box5:Fundingforadaptation
A number of proposals also focus on funding for adaptation. Many less developed
countries which rely on international tourism as a significant contributor to their
economyhave
voiced
concern
over
the
potential
of
future
aviation
emission
policy
to
negatively affect their tourism industry. The Group of Least Developed Countries
proposedthe InternationalAirPassengerAdaptationLevy(IAPAL)withintheBaliAction
Plan in 2008, which would generate an estimated US$ 8 billion per year for the
AdaptationFundwithin theUNFCCC. TheAviationGlobalDealGroupxlivhavea similar
proposal that the aviation sector would meet the requirement of common but
differentiated responsibilities in theUNFCCCbyusing the revenuesgenerated through
theauctioningofemissionallowancesintheglobalaviationsector(estimatedtobeinthe
order of US$ 1.5 to 5.0 billion per year) for climate change initiatives in developing
countries. Ifeitherproposalwere implemented,thenthetourismsectorwouldbecome
theworldslargestfunderofclimatechangeadaptationindevelopingcountries.
Clearly,anyglobalemissionpolicyforaviationandothertransportsectorswouldhaveconsiderable
consequences fordestinationsdependingon tourismand travel, including, for instance,manysmall
islanddevelopingstates.Tourismandtravelrelatedmitigationinitiativesmustmediatebetweenthe
conflicting objectives of the need to reduce contribution to global warming whilst not adversely
impactingtourismsroleinsustainabledevelopmentandpovertyalleviationxlv. UNWTOhascalledfor
preferentialtreatmentforairservicesthatsupportthedevelopmentoftourismintheleastdeveloped
countriesxlvi.
All countries and thosewithin the tourism industry shouldbeencouraged, regardlessofeconomic
status,to
work
with
the
COP
15
process
to
ensure
that
poverty
and
promoting
the
development
of
tourismdependent poorer nations are also considered. In 2007, UNWTO suggested itwould be
possibletoreducegreenhousegasemissionsfromairtransportwithoutaffectingthesocioeconomic
benefitstourismprovidesxlvii. Thisisalsodependenttosomeextentonbehaviourchangewithtourists
beingencouragedtoreducethenumberofshortertripstheytake. However,constraintson leisure
timewithin Europe are actually leading people to go onmore, but shorter visitsxlviii. Developing
alternative modes of short haul transport is one approach that could be implemented without
reducingthenumberofvisitors.
3. UNWTOresponsestoclimatechange
TheSecretaryGeneraloftheUnitedNationshasbeentaskedwithdevelopingaglobalresponsetothe
challenge of climate change, coherentwith theMillennium Development Goals. As a result, the
UnitedNationshas,formanyyears,beendevelopingaframeworkdesignedtoestablishalongterm
postKyoto roadmap,which includes targetedmilestones. The tourism and travel sector, given its
hugely importanteconomicandsocialvalue, itsrole insustainabledevelopmentand itsrelationship
withclimate,hasasignificantroletoplayintheUNsoverallframework. UNWTOhasbeenstudying
the issue formanyyearsaspartof itscontributiontosustainabledevelopmentandtheMillennium
DevelopmentGoals. UNWTO isactivelyworkingtoraiseawarenessonclimatechange issues inthe
tourism sector and on integrating tourism into theUnitedNations and other international policy
processesonclimatechange.
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
13/29
11
UNWTOrecognisesthatthetourismandtravelsectorneedstoadapttothechangingclimateandto
changesthatwillcontinuefortheforeseeablefuturetoensureindividuals,communitiesandnations
continuetoreceivethebenefitsoftourismincludingsustainabledevelopmentintheleastdeveloped
countries(Box6). However,UNWTOisalsofullyawarethattourismneedstoreachsomeconsensus
on measures to be adopted with regards to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and other
environmentalimpacts.
Box6:FirstInternationalConferenceonClimateChangeandTourism,2003
InApril2003,UNWTO, togetherwith severalotherUnitedNationsagencies, convened
the first International Conference on Climate Change and Tourism in Tunisia. The
resultingDjerbaDeclarationonClimateChangeandTourismxlix
signifiedthe importance
of climate change for the sustainability of the global tourism industry, urged the
formulation of appropriate adaptation plans, recognized the twoway relationship
between tourism and climate change, and highlighted the obligation of the tourism
industry (including transport companies, hoteliers, tour operators, travel agents and
touristguides,
and
consumers)
to
reduce
their
GHG
emissions
and
subscribe
to
all
relevantintergovernmentalandmultilateralagreementstomitigateclimatechange. The
conferencewaspivotalinhighlightingtheissueofclimatechangewithinthetourismand
travelsectorandsoughttoraiseawarenessandstrengthencollaborationbetweenpublic
andprivatesectorplayers.
Since that first conference, the complex relationship between the tourism and travel sector and
climatechangehasincreasinglybeenstudied. Asaresult,in2007,UNWTO,togetherwiththeUnited
NationsEnvironmentProgramme(UNEP)andtheWorldMeteorologicalOrganisation(WMO)withthe
supportof theWorldEconomic Forum,organised theSecond InternationalConferenceonClimate
Changeand
Tourism
in
Davos,
Switzerland.
The
multi
stakeholder
event
attracted
more
than
400
participants fromover80 countries, representing thepublic andprivate sector,academia and civil
society. Stakeholdersandinterestedpartieswerereunitedtoreviewdevelopmentsandincorporate
increasingglobalawarenessandmarketplacerealityintorevisedguidance.
The outcome of the conference was the Davos Declaration (Annex I). The Declaration not only
acknowledgedtherealityofclimatechangeandtheinterrelationshipwithtourismandtravelbutalso
thatalongtermstrategyisrequiredtoreducegreenhousegasemissionsfromwithinthesector. The
Declarationoutlines firm recommendationsandaclearcommitment foraction,by thekey interest
groups involved in tourism, to respond to the climate change challenge. It called for the urgent
adoptionofa rangeof sustainable tourismpoliciesandalsoprovidesglobalguidanceon the issue.
Thegoals
included
within
the
Declaration
are
not
only
achievable
but
provide
alink
to
the
interrelated
povertyagenda. Fourkeyareasthatwillrequireactionwereagreedupon:
Mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from the tourism sector (especially from transport and
accommodationactivities)
Adapttourismbusinessesanddestinationstochangingclimateconditions
Applyexistingandnewtechnologiestoimproveenergyefficiency
Securefinancialresourcestoassistpoorerregionsandcountries.
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
14/29
12
Box7:UNWTOeventsfollowingDavos
FollowingDavos,UNWTO, inpartnershipwith theWorldTravelMarket (WTM),helda
one dayMinisters Summit in LondonwhereMinisterswere given the opportunity to
discuss and endorse theDavosDeclaration. Theparticipants at the summit urged all
tourismand
travel
stakeholders
to
follow
the
recommendations
of
the
Davos
Declaration
which was also discussed and endorsed at the UNWTO General Assembly held in
CartagenadeIndias,ColombiainNovember2007.
Eachyear,UNWTOorganiseaWorldTourismDayon27September. Thethemefor2008
wasTourismrespondingtothechallengeofclimatechange. Theaimwastopromote
theDavosDeclaration andengage tourism stakeholders to adapt, tomitigate anduse
newtechnologyandtosecurefinancingforthepoorestcountriesl.
DuringtheconferenceinDavos,andinthesubsequentdiscussions,oneofthemainpointsreiterated
wasthat
special
consideration
should
be
given
to
the
least
developed
countries
and
small
island
developingstatesintheprovisionoffinancial,technicalandtrainingsupporttotourismdestinations
andoperators. However,UNWTOcannottackleclimatechangeandtourismissuesinisolation. Aside
event at theUNFCCC COP 13 in Bali (2007),where theDavosDeclaration Processwaspresented,
aimedtointegrateUNWTOeffortsintotheoverallUnitedNationssystemresponsetoclimatechange
andtoenhancecollaborationandpartnershipswithrelatedsectors.UNWTOwillalsocontinuetolead
initiativesthatcontributetotheoverallUNefforttodevelopacommonframeworkintacklingclimate
change. Box8includesatimetableofselectedclimatechangeandtourisminitiatives.
InthebuilduptoCopenhagen,UNWTOandpartnerorganizationsmarkedlyincreasedtheirefforton
the climate change and tourism issue. UNWTO Secretary General attended the UN Leadership
Summiton
Climate
Change
on
22
September
2009
in
New
York,
delivering
aUNWTO
Climate
Commitmentmessage. Sustainabletourismandtravelisimportantforallcountriesandpivotalfor
theworldspooreststates. Itprovidesjobs,tradeanddevelopment. ItmustbeapillaroftheGreen
Economywiththeactiveengagementofalltourismstakeholders.TheWorldTourismOrganizationis
committed toworking across the industry, both in the public and private domains, to advance a
coherent response toClimateandDevelopment imperatives,placingbusinessesat theheartof the
transformationtoalowcarboneconomy. UNWTOmadeastrongcommitmenttosupporttheSeal
theDeal!campaignandlobbyforafair,balancedandeffectiveagreementinCopenhagenwhichwill
powergreengrowthandhelpprotectourplanet,by involving tourismandtravelsectors leaders in
thecallforaneffectiveagreementonreducingemissions.
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
15/29
13
Box8:TimelineofSelectedClimateChangeandTourismInitiatives
UNWTOisalsoawareoftheimportanceofleadingbyexampleandwillpursueitseffortsinreducing
itsownemissionsbyraisingawarenessamongitsstaff,encouragingmoreefficienttravel,investingin
energyefficientmaterial,etc. Inaddition, inthe frameworkof thegreening theUN initiative,the
Organization has calculated the GHG emissions generated by its own operations since 2008 and
intendstocompensatetheminordertoachieveclimateneutrality.
4. Capacitybuildingandawareness raisingeventsorganisedand supported
byUNWTO
Whilst reducingcarbondioxideandotherGHGemissionswillhelp in the long term, there isalsoa
pressing need for the tourism and travel sector to adapt to the expected impacts from climate
changeli. However,meteorologicalandclimateprojectiondatadonotalwaysadequatelyrepresent
the conditions experienced in the variety of tourism destinations and locations. This could limit
adaptationespeciallyindevelopingnationslii. Governmentsplayasignificantroleintheprovisionof
climate information, as it is often perceived as an economic public good, but thismayjust be
essentialobservationdata. Thereisanincreasingdemandforaccurate,detailedclimateinformation
toallowtourismbusinessestominimisetherisksandcapitaliseonanynewopportunitiesliii
(Box9).
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
16/29
14
Box9:ExpertTeamonClimateandTourism
In2006,theWMOincollaborationwithUNWTOestablishedanExpertTeamonClimate
and Tourism with the purpose to improve the application of weather and climate
information inthetourismsector. InpreparationforWorldClimateConference3(Sept
2009),the
WMO
and
UNWTO
commissioned
areport
to
investigate
the
provision
and
use
of climate informationwithin the tourism sector. The report discovered that private
sector climate providers have been particularly proactive in developing and using
emerging communication technology to deliver specialised, targeted information. In
comparison,many tourism operators provide limited climatic information to potential
travellersother thanmaybe averagemonthly temperaturesorprecipitation. The final
report on Weather and Climate Information for Tourism included a series of
recommendationsaimedatimprovingtheprovisionanduseofclimateinformationthat
will require collaboration between research communities, government tourism
authoritiesandthetourismindustryliv.
In2007,UNWTOlaunchedaClimateandTourismInformationExchangeService. Itwascreatedasa
repositoryforinformationandasadisplayfordata,studies,policypapers,videosandothermaterial
relatedtotourismandclimatechange,thatwouldfacilitatetourismstakeholdersworkingtogetherto
develop coordinated approaches to tackling mitigation and adaptation. The organization has
developedanddisseminatedtechnicalpublicationsaddressingclimatechangeimpactsandadaptation
responses.Themost relevant is ClimateChangeandTourism Responding toGlobalChallenges.
This report, commissioned by UNWTO, UNEP and WMO, was initially developed as background
information for the Tourism and Climate Change Conference inDavos, Switzerland. It provides a
detailedandcomprehensivesynthesisofthestateofknowledgeaboutcurrentandfuturepredicted
impacts of climate change on global tourism. The report acknowledges that climate changewill
becomean
increasingly
pivotal
issue
affecting
tourism
development
and
management.
An
overview
ofpolicyandmanagement responses fordealingwith thepredicted impacts isalsoprovided. The
report,aimedatthosewiththeresponsibilitytodevelopmitigationandadaptationstrategiesforthe
tourism sector, is available, together with other reports on climate change and tourism, in the
UNWTOwebpage.
UNWTO has assisted countries through theirNational Tourism Administrations to access the GEF
SpecialClimateChangeFundbyapproachingothermulti andbilateral fundingsourcesandprivate
sector organizations in order to secure cofinancing. For example, a pilot project on tourism
adaptation in the Maldives has been initiated, through collaboration with UNEP and UNDP and
discussionsinitiatedwithSIDSinotherregions.
Responding to the need to provide practical guidance and capacity building for climate change
adaptation and mitigation practices in the tourism sector, in 2008 a publication was produced:
ClimateChangeAdaptationandMitigationintheTourismSector:Frameworks,ToolsandPracticeslv
combinedwithacomprehensiveseriesof internationalandregionalseminarsdesignedtoprovidea
pragmaticplatformtostrengthenthecapacityofprofessionalstounderstandandrespondeffectively
totheglobalchallengesofclimatechangeintourismdestinations.
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
17/29
15
Box10:HotelEnergySolutionsProjectlvi
In2008,UNWTOlaunchedtheHotelEnergySolutionsproject.TheProjectiscofundedby
the European Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation: UNWTO is the project
coordinator, partners include UNEP, International Hotel and Restaurant Association,
ADEMEthe
French
Agency
for
Energy
Management
and
EREC
the
European
Council
for
RenewableEnergies. Theinternationalhotelsectorisoneofthelargestdriversofglobal
employment. However, in 2005, it was estimated that the accommodation sector
accountedfor21percentofthecarbondioxideemissionsfromtourismlvii.Theaimofthis
project is toprovideenergyefficiency solutionsand increaseduseofenergyefficiency
and renewable energy technologies for the tourism accommodation sector across 27
EuropeanUnioncountrieslviii. Thisisseenasasignificantwaytoreducetheimpactofthe
sectoronclimatechangebymitigatingemissions. TheHotelEnergySolutionsprojectwill
dothreethings:
Developarangeoftoolsandmaterialstoassistsmallandmediumenterpriseshotels
toplanforandinvestinenergyefficiencyandrenewableenergytechnologies.
Testthe
tools
in
hotels
and
use
the
lessons
learned
to
improve
them.
Tellpeopleaboutthesetoolsdisseminateandpromotethemostsuitablepractical
solutionstoSMEhotelsacrosstheEuropeanUnionandfarbeyondlix.
In September 2009, UNWTO, in partnership with the European Travel Commission (ETC) and
VisitSweden,andsupportedbyUNEPandtheSwedishGovernment,organisedtheTravelandTourism
intheGreenEconomySymposium. Thesymposiumfocusedonsustainabletourismandtravelandthe
CopenhagenAgreementtobediscussedattheUNFCCCCOP15inDecember2009.
5. The response of Governments and the private sector to the challenges
thatclimatechangeposestotourism
Theprivatesectorhasasignificantroletoplayinaddressingthechallengesclimatechangeposesfor
tourismandtravel. However,theycannotimplementthesealone. Governmentsneedtobeengaged
and encouraged to develop and implement regulatory policies and offer economic incentives.
Together theyhaveacrucial role toplay in tacklingclimate changeand its impacton tourismand
travel. In synergy with the UNWTO many tourism and travel organizations have embraced this
challengeandopportunity.
Box11:
Challenge
to
develop
cross
sector
response
to
climate
change
In 2008 the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) challenged influential travel and
tourismleaderstohelpdevelop,agreeandsignontoacrosssectorresponsetoclimate
change.Travelandtourismleadersresponded,indicatingthattheywerereadytobepart
ofthefirstCEOChallenge.ThefirstPATAChallengeeventwasheldinBangkok,Thailand
and hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The agenda focused on actionable
issuesandchallengeddecisionmakersfromallsectorsofthetravelandtourismindustry
toagreeandcommittoactionsthatwillconfrontclimatechange.
TheWorld
Travel
and
Tourism
Council
(WTTC)
produced
areport
in
2009,
which
sets
out
avision
for
tacklingGHGemissions. Itincludesacommitment,endorsedbymorethan40oftheworldslargest
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
18/29
16
TravelandTourismcompanies,tocutbyhalfcarbonemissionlevelsof2005by2035lx. Thereisalso
an interim target of achieving a 30 per reduction by 2020 in the presence of an international
agreementor25percentreduction intheabsenceofsuchanagreementlxi. TheWTTCsreportalso
acknowledgedthatthegoalsofindustryleaders,customersandpolicymakersneedtobealignedand
thatpartnershipscanplayan important role. It ishoped the reportwillalsobeutilisedbypolicy
leadersin
Copenhagen
to
ensure
consideration
of
the
potential
of
tourism
to
create
economic
and
socialprosperity. TheWTTChasalsoidentifiedaseriesofcommitments,whichtheCouncilitselfwill
useto trackandmeasure itsowneffortsandsuccess. These includeworkingwithgovernments to
align frameworks; share information and best practice examples; support aviations progressive
carbondioxideemissionreductionstrategiesandencourageairlinestohalvecarbonemissionslevels
by2050;andassistlocalcommunitiesinadoptingpracticalmitigationandadaptationstrategieslxii.
In June2008,CEOs fromacross theworld, representingevery industrial sector, submitteda setof
recommendationstotheG8 leadersfor inclusionwithinapostKyotoclimateframework. InMarch
2009,inresponsetotherecommendationsandtoelaborateonhowtheyshouldbeimplemented,a
WorldEconomicForum(WEF)TaskForceonLowCarbonProsperitywaslaunched. InMay2009,the
WEF,in
collaboration
with
UNWTO,
ICAO,
UNEP
and
travel
and
tourism
business
leaders,
produced
theTowardsaLowCarbonTravelandTourismSectorreport. Withinthedocument,anumberofways
tomitigatetransportandaccommodationgreenhousegasemissionsareproposed. Bothshort and
longterm solutions are identified includingmarketmechanisms such as global emissions trading
schemes. The study also highlights how governments, industry and consumers can collectively
improvethesustainabilityoftravelwhichwillensurethecontinuedgrowthofthesector.
Box 12: Council of Australian Governments National Climate Change Adaptation
Framework
The Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) National Climate Change Adaptation
Framework,which
was
endorsed
in
April
2007,
identified
tourism
as
one
of
many
sectors
andareasvulnerabletoclimatechange.TheCOAGFrameworkidentifiedthat"theimpact
of climate change on infrastructure and the natural environmenthas the potential to
affect the tourism industry. In some cases this could result in social and economic
impacts in regions with a high dependency on tourism as a source of income and
employment." The COAG Framework gave the Tourism Ministers' Council (TMC)
responsibility for developing an Action Plan over two years. In August 2007, Tourism
Ministers established the Tourism and Climate Change Taskforce (the Taskforce) to
developtheActionPlan.
Anumberofgovernmentshaveannounced their intention for theirnations, including their tourism
andtravelsector,tobecomecarbonneutral.SriLankaannounced its initiativeEarthLungCarbon
FreeSri Lankaduring theDavosConference in2007.Threeother countrieshaveannounced their
intention to have a carbon free or carbon neutral nation, including their tourism and travel
sectorlxiii(Norway,CostaRicaandtheMaldives).
UNWTO is providing inkind support and support aimed at raising funds for governments and
regionalinitiativesforclimatechangeadaptationandmitigationprojectsinthetourismsectorforkey
regionalinitiativesinvolvinggovernmentsofnumerouscountries.TheCARIBSAVEPartnership,formed
in2008,between theCaribbeanCommunityClimateChangeCentre (CCCCC) and theUniversityof
Oxford,
and
supported
by
a
range
of
international
partners
including
UNWTO,
UNEP,
UNDP,
the
World
Bank,WWF,andother internationalandregionalpartners isaddressingthe impactsandchallenges
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
19/29
17
surroundingclimatechange, tourism,economicdevelopmentandcommunity livelihoodsacross the
CaribbeanBasin. TheCaribbean isahighly tourismreliant regionandalsohighlyvulnerable to the
impactsofclimatechange. TheCARIBSAVEPartnership,whichincludesrepresentativesfromboththe
publicandprivatesector,isprovidingpracticalstrategies,assistingincapacitybuildingandfacilitating
skillstransferacrosstheregion.
6. Conclusion
Theclimateischangingandwillcontinuetodosofortheforeseeablefuture. Thiswillresultinsocial,
economicandenvironmental impacts. Thedegreeof these impactswilldependon towhatextent
nations, industry and individualsmitigate emissions and adapt to changes. The issue of climate
change isnow firmlyentrenched intheglobalagendaandcriticalnegotiations foraGHGemissions
framework continue. At a timeof globaleconomicdownturn, a climatedeal could fundamentally
transform the global economy through the need for innovative technologies and sustainable
development.
ThetourismandtravelsectormustaddresstheclimatechangeissueandUNWTOhasembracedthe
challenge of responding establishing collaborative partnerships, raising awareness, developing
guidanceandprovidingsupport.UNWTOisfullycommittedtopromotingareductionintheimpactof
greenhousegasemissionsfromtourismactivities. However,theroletourismplaysinlessdeveloped
countriesneeds tobe taken intoconsideration inanydiscussionsonemission reductions. Tourism
contributestosustainabledevelopment,povertyreductionand theMillenniumDevelopmentGoals.
Any framework agreement should not disproportionately disadvantage thosemost dependent on
tourism.
Manyofthepotentialsolutionstoreducinggreenhousegasemissionsandtacklingclimatechangeare
complex.It
is
important
that
partnerships
are
developed,
maintained
and
enhanced
and
research
into
innovative approaches is continued. The Davos Declarations specific recommendations to
governments,internationalorganizations,tourismindustryanddestinations,consumers,researchand
communicationnetworks,settheguidelinesofacomprehensiveplanofaction.
The time is right: The time is right to further the discussion and debate on climate change and
tourism. Thetime isrighttosealthedealandestablishaglobalemissionsregulated framework.
The time is right forgovernmentsand thepublicsector to invest ingreenhousegasmitigationand
climatechangeadaptationapproaches. Thetimeisrightforpublicandprivatesectorstoforgeahead
with innovative low carbon initiatives that would not only create employment but would also
contribute to the economy. The time is right because any further delay in action will result in
consequencesfor
the
tourism
industry
and
the
people
who
depend
upon
the
sector.
UNWTO
will
continue to play its role to ensure that impacts areminimised, that all benefits to tourism and
communities are realised and that tourism and travel continues to be a significant contributor to
povertyreductionandtheMillenniumDevelopmentGoals.
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
20/29
18
References
iUNWTO(2009)TourismHighlights2009Edition
http://www.unwto.org/facts/eng/pdf/highlights/UNWTO_Highlights09_en_LR.pdf.Accessed
1
November2009iiWTTC(2009)Leadingthechallengeonclimatechange.
http://www.wttc.org/eng/Tourism_Initiatives/Environment_Initiative/iiiUNWTO(2008)EmergingTourismMarketsTheComingEconomicBoom,PressRelease,UNWTO
Madrid,24June2008ivUNWTO(2007)Compendiumoftourismstatistics(2007edition).Madrid:WorldTourism
Organisation.vUNWTO(2001)Tourism2020Vision,Madrid.http://www.unwto.org/facts/eng/vision.htm.viIPCC(2007)SummaryforPolicymakers.In:S.Solomon,D.Qin,M.Manning,Z.Chen,M.Marquis,
K.B.Averyt,M.TignorandH.L.Miller(Eds.),ClimateChange2007:ThePhysicalScienceBasis.
Contributionof
Working
Group
Ito
the
Fourth
Assessment
Report
of
the
Intergovernmental
Panel
onClimateChange.Cambridge,UnitedKingdomandNewYork,NY,USA:CambridgeUniversity
Pressvii
IPCC(2007)SummaryforPolicymakers.In:S.Solomon,D.Qin,M.Manning,Z.Chen,M.Marquis,
K.B.Averyt,M.TignorandH.L.Miller(Eds.),ClimateChange2007:ThePhysicalScienceBasis.
ContributionofWorkingGroupItotheFourthAssessmentReportoftheIntergovernmentalPanel
onClimateChange.Cambridge,UnitedKingdomandNewYork,NY,USA:CambridgeUniversity
Pressviii
Stern, N. (2006) The Economics of Climate Change: The Stern Review. HerMajestys Treasury,
London
IPCC (2007) Summary for Policymakers. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth
AssessmentReport
Climate
Change
2007:
Synthesis
Report.
[Bernstein,
L.,
Bosch,
P.,
Canziani,
O.,
Chen,Z.,Christ,R.,Davidson,O.,Hare,W.,Huq,S.,Karoly,D.,Kattsov,V.,Kundzewicz,Z.,Liu,J.,
Lohmann,U.,Manning,M.,Matsuno,T.,Menne,B.,Metz,B.,Mirza,M.,Nicholls,N.,Nurse,L.,
Pachauri, R., Palutikof, J., Parry,M.,Qin,D., Ravindranath,N., Reisinger, A., Ren, J., Riahi, K.,
Rosenzweig, C., Rusticucci, M., Schneider, S., Sokona, Y., Solomon, S., Stott, P., Stouffer, R.,
Sugiyama,T.,Swart,R.,Tirpak,D.,Vogel,C.,Yohe,G.].Cambridge,UnitedKingdomandNewYork,
NY,USA:CambridgeUniversityPress
G8 (2009) Declaration of the leaders the major economies forum on energy and climate.
http://www.g8italia2009.it/static/G8_Allegato/MEF_Declarationl.pdf
ix IPCC (2007) Summary for Policymakers. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth
AssessmentReport
Climate
Change
2007:
Synthesis
Report.
[Bernstein,
L.,
Bosch,
P.,
Canziani,
O.,
Chen,Z.,Christ,R.,Davidson,O.,Hare,W.,Huq,S.,Karoly,D.,Kattsov,V.,Kundzewicz,Z.,Liu,J.,
Lohmann,U.,Manning,M.,Matsuno,T.,Menne,B.,Metz,B.,Mirza,M.,Nicholls,N.,Nurse,L.,
Pachauri, R., Palutikof, J., Parry,M.,Qin,D., Ravindranath,N., Reisinger, A., Ren, J., Riahi, K.,
Rosenzweig, C., Rusticucci, M., Schneider, S., Sokona, Y., Solomon, S., Stott, P., Stouffer, R.,
Sugiyama,T.,Swart,R.,Tirpak,D.,Vogel,C.,Yohe,G.].Cambridge,UnitedKingdomandNewYork,
NY,USA:CambridgeUniversityPress
xIPCC(2007)SummaryforPolicymakers.IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChangeFourth
AssessmentReportClimateChange2007:SynthesisReport.[Bernstein,L.,Bosch,P.,Canziani,O.,
Chen,Z.,Christ,R.,Davidson,O.,Hare,W.,Huq,S.,Karoly,D.,Kattsov,V.,Kundzewicz,Z.,Liu,J.,
Lohmann,
U.,
Manning,
M.,
Matsuno,
T.,
Menne,
B.,
Metz,
B.,
Mirza,
M.,
Nicholls,
N.,
Nurse,
L.,
Pachauri,R.,Palutikof,J.,Parry,M.,Qin,D.,Ravindranath,N.,Reisinger,A.,Ren,J.,Riahi,K.,
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
21/29
19
Rosenzweig,C.,Rusticucci,M.,Schneider,S.,Sokona,Y.,Solomon,S.,Stott,P.,Stouffer,R.,
Sugiyama,T.,Swart,R.,Tirpak,D.,Vogel,C.,Yohe,G.].Cambridge,UnitedKingdomandNewYork,
NY,USA:CambridgeUniversityPressxiTheAssociationofSmallIslandDevelopingStates(AOSIS)recentDeclarationtotheUnitedNations
calledfor
anew
climate
change
agreement
that
would
ensure
global
warming
be
kept
below
1.5C.xii
Scott,D.andLemieux,C.(2009)Weatherandclimateinformationfortourism.WMOandUNWTO.xiii
UNWTOandUNEPandWMO(2008)ClimateChangeandTourism:RespondingtoGlobal
Challenges,(preparedbyScott,D.,Amelung,B.,Becken,S.,Ceron,J.P.,Dubois,G.,Gssling,S.,
Peeters,P.andSimpson,M.C.),UNWTO,Madrid,andUNEP,Paris.xiv
UNWTOandUNEPandWMO(2008)ClimateChangeandTourism:RespondingtoGlobal
Challenges,(preparedbyScott,D.,Amelung,B.,Becken,S.,Ceron,J.P.,Dubois,G.,Gssling,S.,
Peeters,P.andSimpson,M.C.),UNWTO,Madrid,andUNEP,Paris.xv
UNWTOandUNEPandWMO(2008)ClimateChangeandTourism:RespondingtoGlobalChallenges,
(preparedbyScott,D.,Amelung,B.,Becken,S.,Ceron,J.P.,Dubois,G.,Gssling,S.,Peeters,P.and
Simpson,
M.C.),
UNWTO,
Madrid,
and
UNEP,
Paris.
Gssling,S.&Hall,C.M.(2006)TourismandGlobalEconomicChange.London:RoutledgeBeckenS.&
HayJ.(2007)TourismandClimateChangerisksandopportunities.Clevedon:ChannelView
Publicationsxvi
UNWTOandUNEPandWMO(2008)ClimateChangeandTourism:RespondingtoGlobal
Challenges,(preparedbyScott,D.,Amelung,B.,Becken,S.,Ceron,J.P.,Dubois,G.,Gssling,S.,
Peeters,P.andSimpson,M.C.),UNWTO,Madrid,andUNEP,Paris..
Scott,D.,Peeters,P., andGssling, S. (2010 inpress)CanTourism Seal theDealof itsMitigation
Commitments?TheChallengeofAchieving AspirationalEmissionReductionTargets.Journalof
SustainableTourism18(2).xvii
UNWTOandUNEPandWMO(2008)ClimateChangeandTourism:RespondingtoGlobal
Challenges,
(prepared
by
Scott,
D.,
Amelung,
B.,
Becken,
S.,
Ceron,
J.P.,
Dubois,
G.,
Gssling,
S.,
Peeters,P.andSimpson,M.C.),UNWTO,Madrid,andUNEP,Paris.
Stern,N.(2006)TheEconomicsofClimateChange:TheSternReview.HerMajestysTreasury,London
IPCC(2007)SummaryforPolicymakers.IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChangeFourth
AssessmentReportClimateChange2007:SynthesisReport.[Bernstein,L.,Bosch,P.,Canziani,O.,
Chen,Z.,Christ,R.,Davidson,O.,Hare,W.,Huq,S.,Karoly,D.,Kattsov,V.,Kundzewicz,Z.,Liu,J.,
Lohmann,U.,Manning,M.,Matsuno,T.,Menne,B.,Metz,B.,Mirza,M.,Nicholls,N.,Nurse,L.,
Pachauri,R.,Palutikof,J.,Parry,M.,Qin,D.,Ravindranath,N.,Reisinger,A.,Ren,J.,Riahi,K.,
Rosenzweig,C.,Rusticucci,M.,Schneider,S.,Sokona,Y.,Solomon,S.,Stott,P.,Stouffer,R.,
Sugiyama,T.,Swart,R.,Tirpak,D.,Vogel,C.,Yohe,G.].Cambridge,UnitedKingdomandNewYork,
NY,USA:CambridgeUniversityPressxviii
UNWTO
and
UNEP
and
WMO
(2008)
Climate
Change
and
Tourism:
Responding
to
Global
Challenges,(preparedbyScott,D.,Amelung,B.,Becken,S.,Ceron,J.P.,Dubois,G.,Gssling,S.,
Peeters,P.andSimpson,M.C.),UNWTO,Madrid,andUNEP,Paris.
Hall, C.M. (2008) Tourism and climate change: Knowledge gaps and issues. Tourism Recreation
Research,33:339350.
DeutscheBankResearch(2008)ClimateChangeandTourism:WhereWilltheJourneyTakeUs?Berlin:
DeutscheBankResearch.xix
Scott,D.,deFreitas,C.,andMatzarakis,A.(2008)AdaptationintheTourismandRecreationSector.
In:BiometeorologyforAdaptationtoClimateVariabilityandChange.K.Ebi,I.Burton,G.
McGregor(eds).17119
UNWTOandUNEPandWMO(2008)ClimateChangeandTourism:RespondingtoGlobalChallenges,
(preparedbyScott,D.,Amelung,B.,Becken,S.,Ceron,J.P.,Dubois,G.,Gssling,S.,Peeters,P.and
Simpson,M.C.),UNWTO,Madrid,andUNEP,Paris.
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
22/29
20
xx
Scott,D.,deFreitas,C.,andMatzarakis,A.(2008)AdaptationintheTourismandRecreationSector.
In:BiometeorologyforAdaptationtoClimateVariabilityandChange.K.Ebi,I.Burton,G.
McGregor(eds).17119
UNWTOandUNEPandWMO(2008)ClimateChangeandTourism:RespondingtoGlobalChallenges,
(preparedby
Scott,
D.,
Amelung,
B.,
Becken,
S.,
Ceron,
J.P.,
Dubois,
G.,
Gssling,
S.,
Peeters,
P.
and
Simpson,M.C.),UNWTO,Madrid,andUNEP,Paris.xxi
WTTC(2009)Leadingthechallengeonclimatechange.
http://www.wttc.org/eng/Tourism_Initiatives/Environment_Initiative/.xxii
UNWTOandUNEPandWMO(2008)ClimateChangeandTourism:RespondingtoGlobal
Challenges,(preparedbyScott,D.,Amelung,B.,Becken,S.,Ceron,J.P.,Dubois,G.,Gssling,S.,
Peeters,P.andSimpson,M.C.),UNWTO,Madrid,andUNEP,Paris..
WorldEconomicForum(2009)ClimatePoliciesfromKyototoCopenhagen.Onlineat
http://www.weforum.org/en/knowledge/Themes/Enviroment/ClimateChange/KN_SESS_SUMM_
28001?=/en/knowledge/Themes/Enviroment/ClimateChange/KN_SESS_SUMM_28001xxiii
UNWTOandUNEPandWMO(2008)ClimateChangeandTourism:RespondingtoGlobal
Challenges,
(prepared
by
Scott,
D.,
Amelung,
B.,
Becken,
S.,
Ceron,
J.P.,
Dubois,
G.,
Gssling,
S.,
Peeters,P.andSimpson,M.C.),UNWTO,Madrid,andUNEP,Paris.xxiv
UNWTOandUNEPandWMO(2008)ClimateChangeandTourism:RespondingtoGlobal
Challenges,(preparedbyScott,D.,Amelung,B.,Becken,S.,Ceron,J.P.,Dubois,G.,Gssling,S.,
Peeters,P.andSimpson,M.C.),UNWTO,Madrid,andUNEP,Paris.xxv
Simpson,M.C.,Gssling,S.,Scott,D.,Hall,C.M.andGladin,E.(2008)ClimateChangeAdaptation
andMitigationintheTourismSector:Frameworks,ToolsandPractices,UNEP,Universityof
Oxford,UNWTO,WMO:ParisFrancexxvi
World Economic Forum (2009) Climate Policies from Kyoto to Copenhagen. Online at
http://www.weforum.org/en/knowledge/Themes/Enviroment/ClimateChange/KN_SESS_SUMM_
28001? =/en/knowledge/Themes/Enviroment/ClimateChange/KN_SESS_SUMM_28001 [11
September
2009].
xxviiCopenhagenClimateCouncil(2009)http://www.copenhagenclimatecouncil.com/
xxviiiG8(2009)Declarationoftheleadersthemajoreconomiesforumonenergyandclimate.
http://www.g8italia2009.it/static/G8_Allegato/MEF_Declarationl.pdfxxix
UNFCCC(2009)http://unfccc.int/2860.phpxxx
UnreferencedUNEPreportwithintheUNWTO(2007)Tourism,airtransportandclimatechangea
WorldTourismOrganisationdiscussionpaperdocument
http://www.unwto.org/climate/support/en/pdf/docu_tourism_air.pdf.xxxi
Atmosfair,http://www.atmosfair.de/index.php?id=9&L=3xxxii
Gssling,S.,Haglund,L.,Kallgren,H.,Revahl,MandHultman,J(2008)Swedishairtravellersand
voluntarycarbonoffsets:towardsthecocreationofenvironmentalvalue? CurrentIssuesin
Tourism12,
119.
xxxiiiLyle,C.(2009)Thecontrolofaviationemissionsreachesacriticaljuncture.GreenAirOnline.July.
http://www.greenaironline.com/news.php?viewStory=545
WorldEconomicForum(2009)ClimatePoliciesfromKyototoCopenhagen.Onlineat
http://www.weforum.org/en/knowledge/Themes/Enviroment/ClimateChange/KN_SESS_SUMM_
28001?=/en/knowledge/Themes/Enviroment/ClimateChange/KN_SESS_SUMM_28001[11
September2009].xxxiv
Lyle,C.(2009)Thecontrolofaviationemissionsreachesacriticaljuncture.GreenAirOnline.July.
http://www.greenaironline.com/news.php?viewStory=545
Lee,D.S.,Fahey,D.W.,Forster,P.M.,Newton,P.J.,Wit,R.C.N.,Lim,L.L.,Owen,B.&Sausen,R.
(2009)Aviationandglobalclimatechangeinthe21stcentury.AtmosphericEnvironment,43,
35203537.
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
23/29
21
Scott,D.,Peeters,P.andGssling,S.(2010inpress)CanTourismSealtheDealofitsMitigation
Commitments?TheChallengeofAchievingAspirationalEmissionReductionTargets.Journalof
SustainableTourism18(2).xxxv
UNWTO(2009)TourismHighlights2009Edition
http://www.unwto.org/facts/eng/pdf/highlights/UNWTO_Highlights09_en_LR.pdf.Accessed
1November2009
xxxviUNWTO(2009)Discussionpaperonclimatechangemitigationmeasuresforinternationalair
transport. http://www.unwto.org/climate/support/en/pdf/docu_aviation_GHG_Emissions.pdfxxxvii
Annex1PartiesincludetheindustrialisedcountriesthatweremembersoftheOECD
(OrganisationforEconomicCooperationandDevelopment)in1992,pluscountrieswith
economiesintransition(theEITParties),includingtheRussianFederation,theBalticStates,and
severalCentralandEasternEuropeanStates.
http://unfccc.int/parties_and_observers/items/2704.php.xxxviii
Mayor,K.andTol.R.(2007)TheimpactoftheUKaviationtaxoncarbondioxideemissionsand
visitornumbers.TransportPolicy,14,507513.
Gssling,
S.,
Peeter,
P.
and
Scott,
D.
(2008a)
Consequences
of
climate
policy
for
international
tourist
arrivalsindevelopingcountries.ThirdWorldQuarterly,29(5),873901.
Pentalow,L.andScott,D.(2009)TheImpactofClimatePolicyandOilPriceonTouristArrivalstothe
CaribbeanRegion.In:Proceedingsof7thInternationalSymposiumonTourismandSustainability,
TravelandTourismintheAgeofClimateChange.UniversityofBrighton,Brighton,England,July8
10.xxxix
Lyle,C.(2009)Thecontrolofaviationemissionsreachesacriticaljuncture.GreenAirOnline.July.
http://www.greenaironline.com/news.php?viewStory=545xlInternationalCivilAssociationOrganisation. Highlevelmeetingoninternationalaviationand
climatechange,79October2009. HLMENV/09WP/1xli
LetterfromMrMartinMarmy,SecretaryGeneral,InternationalRoadTransportUnion,6November
2009.
xliiInternationalChamberofShipping(2009)Shipping,worldtradeandthereductionofcarbondioxide.
http://www.marisec.org.xliii
InternationalChamberofShipping(2009)Shipping,worldtradeandthereductionofcarbon
dioxide.http://www.marisec.org.xliv
Whichiscomprisedof AirFranceKLM,BritishAirways,CathayPacific,Finnair,QatarAirways,
VirginAtlantic,VirginBlueAirlinesGroup,BAA,LOTPolishAirlines,andTheClimateGroupxlv
Simpson,M.C.,Gssling,S.andScott,D.(2008)ReportontheInternationalPolicyandMarket
ResponsetoGlobalWarmingandtheChallengesandOpportunitiesthatClimateChangeIssues
PresentfortheCaribbeanTourismSector. CaribbeanRegionalSustainableTourismDevelopment
Programme:EuropeanCommissionandtheCaribbeanTourismOrganization,Barbados.xlvi
UNWTO
(2007)
Tourism,
air
transport
and
climate
change
a
World
Tourism
Organisation
discussionpaper.http://www.unwto.org/climate/support/en/pdf/docu_tourism_air.pdf.xlvii
UNWTO(2007)Tourism,airtransportandclimatechangeaWorldTourismOrganisation
discussionpaper.http://www.unwto.org/climate/support/en/pdf/docu_tourism_air.pdf.xlviii
EuropeanTravelCommission(2006)TourismTrendsforEurope.September2006. http://www.etc
corporate.org/resources/uploads/ETC_Tourism_Trends_for_Europe_092006_ENG.pdf. Accessed
7November2006.xlix
UNWTO(2003)DjerbaDeclaration. http://www.worldtourism.org/sustainable/climate/decdjerba
eng.pdflUNWTO(2008)WorldTourismDay2008,
http://www.unwto.org/wtd/prev/en/pdf/2008_previouscelebrations.pdf.
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
24/29
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
25/29
23
Annex I
DAVOSDECLARATION
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
26/29
24
CLIMATE CHANGE AND TOURISMRESPONDING TO GLOBAL CHALLENGES
Davos, Switzerland, 3 October 2007
D A V O S D E C L A R A T I O N
The international community is taking concerted action against climate change around acommonly agreed framework led by the United Nations. This UN framework will seek toestablish a long term post-Kyoto roadmap with rapid deployment and targeted milestones.The tourism sector has an important place in that framework, given its global economic andsocial value, its role in sustainable development and its strong relationships with climate.
To support this action the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), jointly with the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO),with the support of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Swiss Government, convenedthe Second International Conference on Climate Change and Tourism, in Davos, Switzerland,from 1 to 3 October 2007. This event, building on the results of the First InternationalConference organised on this topic in Djerba, Tunisia in 2003, gathered 450 participants fromover 80 countries and 22 international organizations, private sector organizations andcompanies, research institutions, NGOs and the media, with the aim of responding in a timelyand balanced way to climate change imperatives in the tourism sector. In preparation of thisConference the organizers commissioned a report to provide an extensive review of currentimpacts and analyse options for possible actions.
The Conferenceagreed that: climate is a key resource for tourism and the sector is highly sensitive to the impacts of
climate change and global warming, many elements of which are already being felt. Itis estimated to contribute some 5% of global CO2 emissions.
tourism - business and leisure - will continue to be a vital component of the globaleconomy, an important contributor to the Millennium Development Goals and anintegral, positive element in our society.
given tourisms importance in the global challenges of climate change and povertyreduction, there is a need to urgently adopt a range of policies which encourages trulysustainable tourism that reflects a quadruple bottom line of environmental, social,economic and climateresponsiveness.
the tourism sector must rapidly respond to climate change, within the evolving UNframework and progressively reduce its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) contribution if it is togrow in a sustainable manner; this will require action to:
o mitigate its GHG emissions, derived especially from transport andaccommodation activities;
o adapttourism businesses and destinations to changing climate conditions;o apply existing and new technology to improve energy efficiency;o secure financialresources to help poor regions and countries.
The Conferencecalls for the following actions.
1) Governments and International Organizations:
Incorporate tourism in the implementation of existing commitments under the UnitedNations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto
Second International Conference on
Climate Change and Tourism
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
27/29
25
Protocol, and respond to the call by the United Nations Secretary-General forlaunching, at the 13th session of the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties in Bali,December 2007, an effective and comprehensive climate change framework for thepost-2012 period.
Implement concrete, simultaneous actions for mitigation, adaptation, technology andfinancing, consistent with the Millennium Development Goals.
Provide financial, technical and training support to tourism destinations and operatorsin developing countries (especially in the least developed countries and Small IslandDeveloping States) to ensure that they can participate in the global climate responseframework, through established initiatives, such as the Clean DevelopmentMechanism.
Promote, at all levels, interdisciplinary partnerships, networks and informationexchange systems essential to sustainable development of the sector.
Collaborate in international strategies, policies and action plans to reduce GHGemissions in the transport (in cooperation with ICAO and other aviation organizations),accommodation and related tourism activities.
Introduce education and awareness programs for all tourism stakeholders public andprivate sector as well as consumers.
Develop regional and local climate information services tailored to the tourism sectorand promote their use among tourism stakeholders. Build capacities for interpretationand application of this information, strengthening collaboration with WMOs NationalMeteorological Services.
Implement policy, regulatory, financial, managerial, educational, behavioural,diversification, research and monitoring measures, for effective adaptation andmitigation.
2) Tourism Industry and Destinations
Take leadership in implementing concrete measures (such as incentives) in order tomitigate climate change throughout the tourism value chain and to reduce risk totravellers, operators and infrastructure due to dynamic climate variability and shift.Establish targets and indicators to monitor progress.
Promote and undertake investments in energy-efficiency tourism programmes and useof renewable energy resources, with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint of theentire tourism sector.
Integrate tourism in the formulation and implementation of regional, national and locallevel adaptation and mitigation strategies and implementation plans. The Nairobi WorkProgramme on Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change, coordinated
by UNFCCC, represents an important opportunity for the tourism sector to enhanceknowledge, increase capacities and stimulate action.
Strive to conserve biodiversity, natural ecosystems and landscapes in ways whichstrengthen resilience to climate change and ensure a long-term sustainable use of theenvironmental resource base of tourism - in particular those that serve as earth lungs(carbon sinks), sequestering GHGs through forest management and other biologicalprogrammes, or that protect coastlines (e.g. mangroves and coral reefs).
Seek to achieve increasingly carbon free environments by diminishing pollutionthrough design, operations and market responsive mechanisms.
Implement climate-focused product diversification, to reposition destinations andsupport systems, as well as to foster all-season supply and demand.
Raise awareness among customers and staff on climate change impacts and engagethem in response processes.
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
28/29
26
3) Consumers:
In their choices for travel and destination, tourists should be encouraged to considerthe climate, economic, societal and environmental impacts of their options beforemaking a decision and, where possible to reduce their carbon footprint, or offsetemissions that cannot be reduced directly.
In their choices of activities at the destination, tourists should also be encouraged toopt for environmentally-friendly activities that reduce their carbon footprint as well ascontribute to the preservation of the natural environment and cultural heritage.
4) Research and Communications Networks:
Encourage targeted, multi-disciplinary research on impacts of climate change in orderto address regional gaps in current knowledge, develop tools for risk assessment andcost-benefit analyses with which to gauge the feasibility of various responses.
Include environmental and climate specific subjects in the study curricula of tourismtraining programmes and extend these to broader educational systems.
Promote responsible travel that supports quadruple bottom line sustainable tourism,
incorporating climate, environmental, social and economic considerations.
Raise awareness on tourisms economic role as a tool for development, and presentinformation on causes and effects of climate change based on sound science, in a fair,balanced and user-friendly manner.
The Conference
sets out a range of specific actions to be taken by all stakeholders in the sector toimmediately begin to establish and implement a long range carbon-neutral roadmap;
invites governments and international organizations, the tourism industry, consumers,research and communications networks to implement these recommendations, with
concrete commitments and action plans, and to use the UNWTO on-line ClimateChange and Tourism Information Exchange Service as a platform, for committedstakeholders to register their pledges and activities toward adaptation and mitigationon an on-going basis;
stresses the need that UNWTO, in collaboration with UNEP and WMO, continue tolead this process, and to consider convening a Third Conference on Climate Changeand Tourism, at an appropriate time in the future, to review progress, to maintainresponse levels and to identify further needs and actions;
urges action by the entire tourism sector to face climate change as one of the greatestchallenges to sustainable development, and to the Millennium Development Goals inthe 21st Century.
***The Davos Declaration and results of this conference will provide the basis for theUNWTO Ministers Summit on Tourism and Climate Change, scheduled at the WorldTravel Market, London, UK, 13 November 2007. It w ill be submi tted for adoption at theUNWTO General Assembly in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, 23-29 November 2007,and also will be presented at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali,Indonesia, in December 2007.
8/10/2019 From Davos to Copenhagen
29/29
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the only intergovernmental
organization that serves as a global forum for tourism policy and issues. Its
Members include 161 countries and territories as well as over 400 Affiliate
Members from the public and private sectors. UNWTOs mission is to promote
and develop tourism as a significant means of fostering international peace and
understanding, economic development and international trade.
www.UNWTO.org