Global Tourism Unites on Climate Action Plans at COP27

Photo source: COP27.

Tourism bodies across the globe are pledging to take hands-on action to address climate change during this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) brought together leading sector decision and policy makers to discuss ways of accelerating the shift to greater sustainability toward Net-Zero.

“One year after its launch, we are proud to see the way the Glasgow Declaration has inspired our sector into action. Unlocking finance and developing measurement frameworks will be critical to scaling-up our support and continue accelerating climate action for resilience,” said UNWTO Executive Director Zoritsa Urosevic.

UNWTO Executive Director Zoritsa Urosevic. Photo source: UNWTO.

More specifically, since the launch of the Glasgow Declaration in 2021, more than 700 businesses, destinations, civil society groups and countries have signed up, committing to decarbonize in efforts to reduce their carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and reach Net-Zero by 2050.

The Glasgow Declaration provides a framework for all tourism stakeholders to raise their climate ambitions. The goal is to ensure the travel and tourism sector is responsive to the climate emergency.

Another top priority discussed during COP27 was the active role of tourism ministries in climate negotiations and ways to enhance the education of communities and visitors.

Photo source: UNWTO.

During a parallel event, participating tourism ministries shared knowhow and ways of measurement and decarbonization. Other events focused on regeneration and finance.

The latest signatories to the Glasgow Declaration include the tourism ministries of Indonesia and Monaco, the Secretariat of State for Tourism of Honduras, national tourism authorities from Panama, Kiribati, Micronesia, and Portugal, as well as Accor, Iberostar, Booking.com, Expedia, The Travel Corporation, Radisson Hotel Group, and tour operators and accommodation businesses from 130 countries.

COP27, also referred to as the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, will run until November 18.