The tourism industry has come under scrutiny for its rising greenhouse gas emissions, which are increasing at a rate more than double that of the global economy.
According to a University of Queensland (UQ)-led study, carbon emissions from tourism now account for approximately 9% of the world’s total emissions, marking a significant concern in the context of the ongoing climate crisis.
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Rising emissions in tourism
Associate Professor Ya-Yen Sun from UQ’s Business School highlighted that the growth in travel demand has led to a substantial increase in tourism-related emissions.
“Without urgent interventions in the global tourism industry, we anticipate annual increases in emissions of 3 to 4%, meaning they will double every 20 years,” Dr Sun said.
This growth threatens to undermine international climate goals, including the Paris Agreement, which requires a reduction of emissions by more than 10% annually.
The study tracked both international and domestic travel across 175 countries, revealing a sharp increase in tourism’s carbon footprint from 3.7 gigatonnes (Gt) to 5.2 Gt between 2009 and 2019. The aviation sector, utilities, and private vehicle use for travel were the largest contributors to this growth.
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By GlobalDataNotably, the tourism emissions growth rate stood at 3.5% per year, far outpacing the global emissions growth rate of 1.5% during the same period.
Key drivers behind the surge
The primary drivers of this surge in tourism emissions are slow technological advancements and the rapid expansion in demand for travel services. According to Dr Sun, the largest challenge lies within air travel.
“The biggest carbon challenge in tourism is air travel,” she said. In response, the study recommends measures such as reducing long-haul flights, introducing carbon taxes, carbon budgets, and alternative fuel obligations, and cutting back on the marketing of long-haul travel.
Tourism businesses can also take action at the local level. Switching to renewable electricity for accommodation, food, and recreational activities, as well as adopting electric vehicles for transportation, are some of the steps suggested to reduce emissions.
In Australia, for example, businesses that select renewable electricity plans over coal-based ones would be making a substantial impact on their emissions footprint.
Implications in a record-warm year
The findings of the UQ study come at a time when global temperatures are reaching unprecedented levels.
NASA and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have confirmed that 2024 is the warmest year on record, with global temperatures averaging 2.30°F (1.28°C) above the 20th-century baseline.
This trend follows 15 consecutive months of record-breaking temperatures, signalling a broader and alarming pattern of climate change.
The tourism industry’s emissions growth is particularly concerning when viewed in the context of the broader global climate crisis. According to WMO, the last ten years have consistently ranked as the warmest on record, with 2024 likely marking the first calendar year with global temperatures more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
With this stark reality in mind, addressing tourism’s carbon footprint has become an urgent necessity if we are to stay on track with international climate commitments.
Ultimately, the tourism sector’s rapid emissions growth poses a significant challenge in the fight against climate change. While some measures to reduce its carbon impact have been identified, urgent global action will be required to ensure that tourism becomes a more sustainable industry in the years ahead.
