GROWING SUSTAINABLY

In alignment with the theme ‘Working Towards Net Zero’, the 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market

Tourism

Accelerate Climate Action

Scientists have found that by the year 2050, our planet will have warmed 1.5°C above preindustrial times. By the end of the century, this figure is set to increase by another half-degree to 2°C. While it may seem like a marginal rise, it is projected to make a huge difference. If left unchecked, carbon emissions will accelerate this rate of global warming, bringing forth untoward ecological occurrences and cataclysmic weather patterns quicker than the predicted tipping point.

It is estimated that around 11 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions are due to global tourism activities, with this statistic expected to double in the next three decades. From flights to lodging, every tourism-related activity that allows travellers to explore destinations around the world contributes to the industry’s carbon footprint, negatively impacting the environment. A majority of this footprint can be attributed to destinations that rely on tourism as their primary source of income, as well as travellers from high-income countries.

With this impact on the planet becoming increasingly evident, it is critical for tourism businesses to take action and reduce the industry’s reliance on fossil fuels and other resources available in a finite amount. Underscoring the urgency, Dr. Harold Goodwin, Responsible