At COP29 in Azerbaijan, tourism made history by being officially included in the U.N. Climate Change Conference Action Agenda for the first time, marking a pivotal moment for the industry’s role in combating climate change. This major achievement, announced on Wednesday, comes with the signing of a global declaration by over 50 governments, pledging to integrate climate action into their tourism strategies and to update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by February.
A Global Commitment to Climate Action in Tourism
The declaration, titled Enhanced Climate Action on Tourism, commits participating countries to prioritize sustainable tourism practices in their climate strategies. These updates to NDCs, which are due in February, will guide how governments reduce emissions across sectors, including tourism, which contributes 3% to global GDP but is responsible for 8.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to U.N. Tourism Executive Director Zoritsa Urosevic.
“This milestone is a turning point,” said Urosevic during a press conference at COP29. “For the first time, tourism has a central role in global climate action.”
Why This Matters: Climate Change and the Tourism Sector
The tourism industry faces significant challenges from climate change, including the increasing frequency of natural disasters like hurricanes, droughts, and heatwaves, which threaten both destinations and the livelihoods that depend on tourism. In emerging nations, where tourism often represents a vital source of revenue, climate resilience is particularly crucial.
Azerbaijan’s tourism chief, Kanan Gasimov, echoed the urgency: “The future of our industry depends on the sustainability of our actions today.”
Paving the Way for Sustainable Hospitality Practices
Alongside the U.N. declaration, the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance introduced a groundbreaking framework to help track and report environmental impacts in the hospitality sector. Representing over 55,000 hotels and seven million rooms globally, including major chains like Accor, Hilton, and Marriott, the framework focuses on monitoring key sustainability metrics, such as greenhouse gas emissions, energy usage, water consumption, and waste management.
Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the Alliance, highlighted the industry’s role: “We have a vested interest in the protection of each destination, and now we must have a larger conversation on how we can contribute to a sustainable future.”
The Road Ahead
With the signing of this declaration, the tourism industry has committed to leading the way in addressing climate change, setting an example for other sectors. As governments prepare to update their NDCs and businesses begin adopting more sustainable practices, the collaboration between policymakers and the hospitality sector represents a critical step toward a greener, more resilient future for global tourism.
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