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What is the Glasgow Declaration?

8 Jan 2023 by Tom Otley
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The Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism was born out of Conference of the Parties (COP) 26 in Glasgow in 2021.

It recognises the importance of tourism to the world economy, but also the harm that related emissions are causing.

Background

According to the latest United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNTWO) /ITF research, by 2030 transport-related CO2 emissions from tourism will have grown 25 per cent from 2016 levels. This growth will represent 5.3 per cent of all man-made emissions in 2030 (from 5 per cent in 2016).

The Glasgow Declaration recognises that the tourism sector is highly vulnerable to climate change. Tourism depends on environmental resources while climate defines the length and quality of tourism seasons. At the same time, tourism contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG), the cause of global warming. Accelerating climate action in tourism is therefore of utmost importance for the resilience of the sector.

To find out more about the Declaration, and to read about related initiatives, visit  The One Planet website.

The One Plant network is a global community of practitioners, policymakers and experts, including governments, businesses, civil society, academia and international organisations, that implements the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production and works towards achieving SDG 12: ensuring sustainable patterns of consumption and production.

Front-view-of-the-main-entrance-doors-to-the-SSE-Hydro-indoor-arena,-one-of-the-main-buildings-in-the-Scottish-Events-Campus-by-georgeclerk-istock_com

The aim

The aim of the Glasgow Declaration is to support the global commitment to halve emissions by 2030 and reach Net Zero as soon as possible before 2050.

  • The Declaration was made because it was recognised that while many organisations are moving in the right direction, they need to be coordinated. Five pathways were created:

Measure

  • This requires all signatories to measure and disclose all travel and tourism-related emissions. It asks organisations to “ensure methodologies and tools are aligned to UNFCCC-relevant guidelines on measurement, reporting and verification, and that they are transparent and accessible.”

Decarbonise

  • The aim here is to set and deliver targets aligned with climate science to accelerate tourism’s decarbonisation. This includes transport, infrastructure, accommodation, activities, food and drink, and waste management. While offsetting may have a subsidiary role, it must be complementary to real reductions.

Regenerate

  • Much damage has already occured. The aim here is to restore and protect ecosystems, supporting nature’s ability to draw down carbon, as well as safeguarding biodiversity, food security, and water supply. As much of tourism is based in regions most immediately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, it aims to ensure that the sector can support affected and at-risk communities in resilience building, adaptation and disaster response. Help visitors and host communities experience better balance with nature.

Collaborate

  • This is all about sharing the evidence of risks and solutions with all stakeholders and also visitors to work together to ensure that the plans and actions are as effective and co-ordinated as possible. The aim is to strengthen governance and capacity for action at all levels, including national and sub-national authorities, civil society, large companies and SMEs, vulnerable groups, local communities and visitors.

Finance

  • Finally this is to ensure organisational resources and capacity are sufficient to meet objectives set out in climate plans, including the financing of training, research and implementation of effective fiscal and policy tools where appropriate to accelerate transition.

Who has signed?

So far, over 700, including tourism boards, hotel groups, destination managements companies, tour operators and cruise companies. For a full list, click  Signatories

For those organisations which sign the Declaration, they are promising to deliver climate action plans within 12 months from becoming a signatory (or updating their existing plans), and implement them.

They also have to

  • align their plans with the five pathways of the Declaration (Measure, Decarbonise, Regenerate, Collaborate, Finance) to accelerate and co-ordinate climate action in tourism.
  • report publicly on an annual basis on progress against interim and long-term targets, as well as on actions being taken.
  • work in a collaborative spirit, sharing good practices and solutions, and disseminating information to encourage additional organizations to become signatories and supporting one another to reach targets as quickly as possible.

You can read the full text of the Declaration at this link (opens a pdf)

The Glasgow Declaration

The video, below, is from the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) and is an ‘Information Session on Accelerating Climate Action in tourism: The Glasgow Declaration’.

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