BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The second edition of the “Net Zero Roadmap for Travel and Tourism” was presented by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) with the support of the State Tourism Agency as part of the “Tourism Day” at COP29, Trend reports.
According to information, the “Net Zero Roadmap for Travel and Tourism,” as an improved decarbonization document of the first roadmap presented at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, highlights the urgency of climate action to achieve the goal of net zero for the tourism sector by 2050.
The report, published with the support of the State Tourism Agency, found that 53 percent of 250 travel companies have already set their climate targets, a 42 percent increase from the first report published in 2021. According to the report, 75 percent of global travelers express a desire for more sustainable travel.
According to Kanan Gasimov, Chief of Staff of the State Tourism Agency, the report presents a roadmap for reducing emissions in sectors directly and indirectly related to tourism, from aviation to the hotel industry. He noted that the inclusion of tourism in international climate discussions under Azerbaijan's COP29 presidency is an important achievement for the global tourism industry, emphasizing the importance of applying sustainable tourism practices to national strategies, an approach that adapts to global climate goals, and supports local communities by preserving our natural heritage.
In her speech, Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council, noted that the updated roadmap is a challenge for tourism and travel businesses and that joint urgent steps are needed to protect our planet and ensure that tourism is supported for a lasting and sustainable world. The report highlights that the global tourism industry has seen a 27 percent increase in meeting climate goals over the past three years, and more than half are actively committed to emission reduction commitments.
Based on the World Travel and Tourism Council's “Environmental and Social Research Paper” cited in the report, the travel and tourism sector accounted for 6.5 percent of global emissions in 2023, indicating a 7.8 percent decrease in 2019, as well as a 10.2 percent decrease in the sector's greenhouse gas intensity. It also notes a six percent decrease in carbon intensity in the aviation sector in 2023 compared to 2019 and an 11 percent decrease in the cruise and hospitality industries.
The roadmap also encourages businesses to adopt targets for carbon reduction strategies and encourages travel companies, states, and other stakeholders to support measures in this direction, encouraging travelers to travel more responsibly.
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