Climate and Tourism: As a stakeholder in tourism, you have a stake in the environment
Climate change, greenhouse gas emissions and the effects of global warming are a fact. A large portion of industries contribute to these emissions, some more than others, and likewise, some are affected more than others. Tourism is both.
The industry as a whole, from transport to accommodation, is regarded as a sizeable contributor to greenhouse emissions but, it is also largely affected by the impacts of climate change. Nature-based tourism is particularly vulnerable as it is a type of tourism that wholly relies on providing experiences with nature. As our natural environment is largely dependent on the stability of the climate, so too is nature-based tourism.
How does tourism contribute to greenhouse gas emissions? What risks can climate change pose to tourism stakeholders? And finally, what can we do to mitigate and reduce emissions?
Answering these questions highlights the industry’s dependency on the natural environment and underlines the importance of communication and cooperation between tourism stakeholders.
Canopy Rainforest Tree Houses and Wildlife Sanctuary are an example of a nature-tourism provider's reliance on the natural environment. Source: The Canopy Treehouses official Facebook page.
Tourism’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions
According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), tourism emissions (transport, accommodation and activities) accounted for about 5% of global Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2008. The industry largely involves the movement of people from their own homes to other destinations and, as such, transport in tourism accounts for the highest portion of tourism’s emissions, a staggering 75%. Of these, air travel is responsible for 60-70%, compared to 13% from coach and rail.
Accommodation (depending on location, size and type), accounts for approximately 20% of tourism emissions when taking considering air-conditioning, swimming pool maintenance and food (among others). As tourist numbers continue to grow so will the industry’s impact on the climate, with UNEP's current 2035 projections showing a staggering growth of 130% in greenhouse gas emissions.
Risks of climate change to tourism stakeholders
The climate is an essential resource for tourism. It drives seasonality, tourism demand, as well as being an important element in operation costs (e.g. managing cooling and heating systems or use of water resources). When we begin to recognise the risks of an erratic climate to our environment (the loss of biodiversity, rapidly changing water availability, coastal erosion), we understand that nature-tourism, as a whole, is at the mercy of climate change. As an example, below are a handful of potential risks brought on through climate change that all tourism stakeholders should be aware of.
- Storms – According to the Water Research Foundation, an increase in evaporation brought on by rising temperatures will carry an increase in rainfall in some areas and a decrease in others. This means an increase in stronger storms bringing on beach erosion, flooding and damage to coastal and river infrastructure.
- Droughts – An increase in evaporation may also have the opposite effect, increasing droughts and expanding drought areas. Water scarcity can impact the operations of tourism providers as well as potentially causing friction with local communities.
- Rising temperatures –A recent ABC article suggests that temperatures are increasing in Australian alpine region. As a result of this, snow fall may decline, shortening the Australian ski season.
- Ocean acidification – Our oceans are absorbing more and more carbon dioxide causing their pH levels to fall. Acidification can have a detrimental effect on the development of species that produce skeletons or shells out of calcium carbonates, such as shallow and deep water corals. The Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) suggests that by the end of the 21st century acidity levels may have risen by 150% putting coral reefs worldwide at risk. Coral reefs are an important resource for North Queensland and Western Australia tourism providers. In 2015 alone, approximately 2.43 million tourists visited the Great Barrier Reef National Park.
Operators in destinations such as Mt Buller depend on large levels of snowfall each year to bring in tourism. Source: Mt Buller Official Facebook page.
Mitigating emissions within the industry
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) suggests there is a “dual relationship between tourism and global warming” where tourism is both a contributor as well as a victim. Indeed, if we look at tourism’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and consider the damaging effects climate change can have on the industry, the proverb “you reap what you sow” comes to mind.
Considering this, it stands to reason that all tourism stakeholders are responsible for mitigating emissions within the industry.
Mitigation policies for tourism greenhouse gas emissions at a national and international level will largely focus on tackling air travel as a main contributor. However, at a local level most other elements can be mitigated. Here are a few examples of how you, either as an individual or as a business, can diminish emissions;
- Improve your business’ and personal energy efficiency – minimise energy consumption through a commitment to managing the use of lighting, heating/cooling systems, and fuel, among others.
- Develop or source renewable energy – maximise the use of green energy such as solar panels or wind generators and/or source green energy providers.
- Manage your business and home sustainably – run your business with a responsible green attitude. This includes sourcing local produce, cooperating with local businesses and keeping to the 3 Rs - Reduce/Re-use/Recycle.
- Choose green – As a tourist, you play a valuable part in shaping the industry’s attitude towards curbing their emissions simply through choice. By opting for environmentally friendly forms of transport, picking environmentally certified accommodation providers as well as eating in restaurants that provide local and/or organic food, you put enormous pressure on other stakeholders to manage their businesses sustainably.
- Offset your carbon emissions – Help counteract your emissions as a business or individual by contributing to a project or company that has a positive impact on climate. For example, the restoration of native forests that take up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Communication and cooperation
As stakeholders in the tourism industry we all have our share of contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. Identifying the risks of global warming emphasizes the industry’s dependency on the climate, highlighting the fact that we all have a vested interest in its stability. Essentially, we who have a stake in tourism, particularly in nature-based tourism, also have a stake in the natural environment.
Ecotourism Australia values operators, members and individuals who play an active part in mitigating greenhouse emissions but also recognises that there could be more information out there to help others get on board.
As such, we highlight the importance of cooperating and communicating with others who are directly or indirectly involved with tourism. Sharing your stories, your plans and your strategies either face to face or online can teach and support others who may be interested in mitigation. If you have experiences you feel would benefit others regarding the risks of climate change or ways to mitigate emissions, we would be glad to share them!