WTTC’s 0SCARS Plan Spurs Tourism Businesses Towards Sustainability

WTTCrSeptember 24, 2019r© Julienne Schaer

Aiming to tackle climate change through the implementation of sustainability programs by tourism enterprises, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) urged sector policymakers to work together to identify ways to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

Over 50 CEOs, heads of state, ministers and industry leaders attended the first-ever Climate and Environment Action Forum held in New York, last week and organized by the WTTC and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

“Climate change is outpacing us, outpacing our collective ability to get a handle on it, and could soon outpace global business and have a devastating impact on the global economy itself,” said Patricia Espinosa, UN Climate Change executive secretary.

During the event, WTTC officials also announced the “0SCARS” action plan which aims to encourage its members – airports, airlines, hotels, GDS, tourism boards, travel, technology and cruise companies – to adopt and accelerate sustainability programs and to share best practices.

The 0SCARS framework aims (and stands for) for 0 [Zero] – the climate neutral goal by 2050, and includes [S] Support, C [Change], A [Act], R [Recognition] and S [Share].

Meanwhile, a simple and visible 0SCARS stamp in the form of a turtle will indicate to travelers that the suppliers are implementing sustainable practices.

“As the leaders within the travel and tourism industry, we have the power to drive real change. The WTTC has the opportunity to convene the industry so we can move faster, contribute, and address the significant environmental and sustainability challenges facing our world,” said Gloria Guevara, president and CEO WTTC.