Carbon footprint of tourism sector bigger than previously estimated

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The trillion dollar tourism sector alone accounts for more than eight percent global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, claimed a recent study that quantified travel and supply chain related to the industry.

Among 189 nations studied, the US has the most significant carbon footprint, followed by China, Germany, and India. Domestic travel causes the majority of these carbon footprints; business travel could not be distinguished from tourism, researchers said.

The situation is much more severe in countries such as the Maldives, Mauritius, Cyprus, and Seychelles. International tourism in these countries contributes between 30 percent and 80 percent of national emissions.

The study titled ‘The carbon footprint of global tourism,’ published today in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Climate Change claimed global comprehensive tourism footprint of tourism-related greenhouse gas emissions is about four times greater than previously estimated.

Researchers quantified carbon footprint across the supply chain of the tourism industry – from flights to souvenirs. “This research fills a crucial gap identified by the World Tourism Organization and World Meteorological Organization to quantify, in a comprehensive manner, the world’s tourism footprint,” researchers said.

The booming tourism industry pegged at seven trillion dollars is growing at four percent annually. The study highlighted that the tourism sector is growing faster than international trade and is already responsible for almost a tenth of global GHGs.

“Given that tourism is set to grow faster than many other economic sectors, the international community may consider its inclusion in the future in climate commitments, such as the Paris Accord, by tying international flights to specific nations,” Arunima Malik, one of the authors of the study from University of Sydney maintained in a press statement.

“Carbon taxes or carbon trading schemes – in particular for aviation – may be required to curtail unchecked future growth in tourism-related emissions,” she said.

Manfred Lenzen, lead author of the study maintained that air travel was the principal contributor to tourism’s footprint. Data revealed, the carbon-intensive aviation industry would comprise an increasingly significant proportion of global emissions, as growing affluence and technology has made luxury travel more affordable.

“We found the per-capita carbon footprint increases strongly with increased affluence and does not appear to satiate as incomes grow,” Professor Lenzen said.

The researchers recommend financial and technical assistance could help share burdens such as global warming on winter sports, sea-level rise on low-lying islands and pollution impacts on exotic and vulnerable destinations.

“A key recommendation: fly less and pay more, for example for carbon abatement,” they maintained.

Top Image: An American Airlines Group Inc. plane flies above the Hertz Global Holdings Inc. rental location at LaGuardia Airport (LGA). /VCG Photo