More than 50 Countries Sign UN Sustainable Tourism Declaration

More than 50 governments have committed to a U.N. declaration aimed at making global tourism more climate-friendly, which emerged during a climate summit held in Azerbaijan.

Inclusion in Climate Action Agenda

For the first time, tourism has been incorporated into the U.N. Climate Change Conference Action Agenda. This marks the importance of the sector in discussions about climate change.

The tourism industry contributes approximately 3% to the global GDP. It is also responsible for about 8.8% of total greenhouse gas emissions. This dual role puts stress on the need for sustainable practices.

Commitment to Climate Plans

Countries that signed the declaration will integrate tourism into their climate strategies. These strategies are known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). They are updated every few years to outline emission reduction goals. The next updates are due in February.

Vulnerability of Emerging Economies

In many emerging nations, tourism serves as a vital source of foreign income. However, it remains susceptible to climate-related events such as hurricanes, heatwaves, and droughts. This vulnerability necessitates proactive measures for sustainability.

Industry Leaders’ Perspectives

Kanan Gasimov, head of Azerbaijan’s tourism agency, brought into light the link between sustainability and business viability. He stated that the future of tourism depends on sustainable actions taken .

New Initiatives for Sustainability

Alongside the declaration, additional initiatives were introduced. The World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance launched a framework to monitor and report on environmental metrics. This includes greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and energy consumption in hotels.

Collecting and analysing data will enable the tourism sector and travellers to understand their environmental impact. Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the alliance, emphasised the industry’s responsibility to protect the destinations they depend on.

Important Facts for Exams:

1. NDCs – Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) represent countries’ climate action plans. They are updated periodically. These updates outline commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They play important role in climate agreements.
2. World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance – This alliance focuses on sustainable practices in the hotel industry. It launched a framework for tracking environmental metrics. Its initiatives aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions .

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2024

Category: Environment Current Affairs