Tourism, whose spectacular growth is expected to continue, now accounts for 8% of greenhouse gas emissions and is increasingly influencing climate change, a factor that had not been estimated until now, according to a recently published study.
Between 2009 and 2013, the sector’s global footprint grew from 3.9 to 4.5 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent (GtCO2e) – a 15% increase, representing four times more than previous assessments predicted, calculated researchers whose study was published in Nature Climate Change.
In the last 5 years, global tourism spending has increased from $2,500 billion to $4,700 billion. Such growth cannot be offset by efforts to “green” this activity, note the authors, who project an annual sector growth of 4% until at least 2025.
“Tourism, given its growth and carbon intensity, will represent an increasing share of global greenhouse gas emissions,” they warn, urging continuous monitoring of the situation.
The authors, who studied 160 countries, find that the impact of tourism – domestic or international – stems largely from high-income countries, especially from air transport, which accounts for approximately 20% of tourism emissions. However, the most remarkable growth is linked to middle-income regions.
In 2013, the United States showed the strongest tourism carbon footprint, followed by China, Germany, India, Mexico, and Brazil.
In contrast, residents of islands and popular destinations such as Croatia, Greece, or Thailand suffered the strongest impact generated by foreign visitors. The impact comes from transport, but also from consumed goods and services – including housing, food, and shopping.
Previous assessments did not include certain sectors that indirectly support these activities – deforestation, for example – nor the entire life cycle of goods and services, the authors note.
“It is in the interest of the tourism industry” to reduce its emissions, stated Patricia Espinosa, the UN Secretary in charge of climate change, in Bonn, on the sidelines of a discussion session on global warming.
Imposing a carbon tax or an emission quota exchange system for air services could prove indispensable “to increase pressure,” the authors note.
International travel and especially long-haul flights are among the most flourishing sectors. The total number of passengers is expected to double by 2038, to 7.8 billion per year, according to the International Air Transport Association, IATA.
Aviation accounts for nearly 2% of CO2 emissions generated by human activities.
Source: Profit
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does tourism contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions?
Tourism accounts for approximately 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, a figure significantly higher than previous estimates.
Which countries have the largest tourism carbon footprint?
The United States has the highest tourism carbon footprint, followed by China, Germany, India, Mexico, and Brazil.
What is the main source of emissions within the tourism sector?
Air transport is a major contributor, representing about 20% of tourism-related emissions, with global passenger numbers expected to double by 2038.