Among increasing efforts of reducing the environmental footprint of travel and tourism, most action plans tend to omit smaller communities that are most affected by climate change, a new report from the Travel Foundation has found.
The report, made in collaboration with the University of Waterloo, Tourism Cares, the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) and Cuidadores de Destinos, calls for global action to recognise and support climate-vulnerable communities and climate justice in tourism’s green transition. Where climate justice is defined as “recognising the unequal responsibility that certain groups bear in relation to greenhouse gas emissions”, placing “those who are most vulnerable to climate change, and who are often the least responsible for causing it” at the centre.
While more travel companies are significantly increasing investment in climate action, the report finds that published plans show little evidence of action to address climate risks, either to businesses or the communities where they operate, nor are they taking account of the perspectives of those communities. Yet businesses working with their suppliers and the wider community in vulnerable destinations are likely to emerge stronger, with resilient supply chains and enhanced reputations, the Travel Foundation argues. Tourism leaders can find new ways to collaborate at scale, to coordinate support for local small businesses, and prioritise investments that strengthen the communities most dependent on tourism and most at risk from climate change.
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.
Dr Bobbie Chew Bigby, lead report author
“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”, report lead author, Dr Bobby Chew Bigby, commented on the findings. “We hope this encourages action-oriented conversations, particularly involving communities at the sharp end that are not currently being heard.”
Against a backdrop of increasingly frequent and severe weather events, and with 2023 the hottest year on record, the report calls on the travel industry to urgently coordinate resources and allyship for communities most at-risk from climate change, particularly those who rely heavily on tourism. The report also calls for action to make emissions fairer, for instance through a frequent flyer levy, given that 1% of the world’s population (mostly from richer countries) is responsible for over 50% of aviation emissions, and with emissions expected to keep growing.
The paper concludes with 10 ideas “that could be rapidly brought to life” to scale collaborative action for climate justice in tourism, including a new global climate fund to direct for travel and tourism to support green transitions and resilience-building in vulnerable destinations; pilot projects focused on key destinations and their critical climate-related issues, such as heat stress, water security, or catalysing a green energy transition; and mobilising the travel industry as a first responder in times of crisis, supporting humanitarian agencies and local leaders by repurposing hotels, kitchens, resources and logistical expertise.
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.”
