A study led by the University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia reveals that carbon emissions from tourism have grown more than twice as fast as the rest of the global economy.
Published in Nature Communications, the study highlights that tourism accounts for 9% of total world emissions.
Carbon Emissions Growth
Associate Professor Ya-Yen Sun from UQ explains that the rapid expansion of travel demand has led to an annual increase in emissions of 3 to 4%, which means they will double every 20 years if urgent action is not taken.
This goes against the Paris Agreement, which requires the sector to reduce its emissions by more than 10% annually.
Tourism activities represent 9% of total world emissions
Global Emissions Analysis
The study tracked international and domestic travel in 175 countries, finding that the carbon footprint of tourism increased from 3.7 gigatonnes (Gt) to 5.2 Gt between 2009 and 2019.
The highest emissions were recorded in aviation, public utilities, and private vehicle use. The United States, China, and India were responsible for 60% of the total increase in tourism emissions during this period.
Recommendations and Solutions
To reduce emissions, it is recommended to decrease long-distance flights, implement taxes on carbon dioxide. Additionally, carbon budgets and obligations for alternative fuels.
At a local level, tour operators can turn to renewable electricity for accommodation, food, and recreational activities, and switch to electric vehicles for transportation.
Reducing the marketing of long-distance travel and identifying national growth thresholds would also help curb the expansion of tourism emissions.
These measures are crucial to align the tourism sector with the goals of the Paris Agreement and mitigate the impact of tourism on climate change.
Have you checked out our YouTube channel? Subscribe now!
