Global Tourism Emissions Surge: Top 20 Countries at the Forefront of the Crisis

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Global tourism emissions are rising at double the global economy’s rate, with 20 countries driving the surge. Urgent policy changes are needed to address the crisis.

The latest research on global tourism emissions reveals a troubling trend: emissions are rising at a rate twice as fast as the global economy, with just 20 countries responsible for the majority of the increase. Published in Nature Communications, the study emphasizes the urgency for policy intervention and regulatory measures to curb these escalating emissions.

The findings indicate that from 2009 to 2019, tourism-related emissions surged by 40%, significantly outpacing the growth of global economic activity. Aviation remains a central issue, accounting for half of the direct emissions from tourism. The sector’s slow progress in decarbonization has made it a key obstacle in reducing the overall carbon footprint of the industry.

As the tourism sector continues to expand, experts stress the need for swift action. The study outlines several strategies to mitigate emissions, including better emissions tracking to pinpoint the most impactful areas, limiting overdevelopment of tourism infrastructure, promoting domestic travel to reduce long-haul flights, and addressing the disparity in carbon footprints across different regions.

In light of these findings, the need for urgent policy changes has never been more critical. To meet climate goals and protect the future of global tourism, countries must embrace sustainable practices and tackle the challenges of aviation emissions head-on.