Tourism contributes to greenhouse gas emissions

Global tourism is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 8.8% of total global emissions in 2019, according to a study published in Nature Communications. Between 2009 and 2019, tourism-related emissions grew by 3.5% per year, more than twice as fast as the global economy (+1.5% per year).

• A rapidly expanding sector

The rapid growth of tourism has outpaced global economic growth, with revenues from the sector almost doubling in a decade, from $3.5 trillion in 2009 to $6 trillion in 2019, an annual growth rate of 5.5%.

In 2019, the carbon footprint associated with tourism was 5.2 gigatonnes (Gt) of CO2 equivalent. These emissions are divided between: Direct emissions: 1.8 Gt (52% from aviation, 18% from road transport); Indirect emissions: 2.5 Gt (34% from services, 14% from oil production); Emissions from private vehicles: 0.9 Gt. The study reveals that tourism was responsible for "8.8% of anthropogenic global warming" in 2019. The additional emissions generated between 2009 and 2019 alone, of 1.5 Gt of CO2, are equivalent to the annual emissions of all of Latin America and the Caribbean.

• Main contributors to global emissions

According to the study, tourists from the United States had the largest carbon footprint, accounting for 19% of total tourism emissions in 2019. Next on the list are Chinese tourists (15%) and Indian tourists (6%).

• Solutions to reduce the impact

To meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and limit global warming to +1.5°C, tourism sector emissions would need to be reduced by more than 10% annually by 2050. The study authors suggest that reducing tourism volumes by 5% in all countries would not be an equitable solution. Special attention should be paid to aviation, which remains the main source of tourism emissions. Limiting the growth in demand for long-haul international flights would have a positive impact on the climate and society.

• Future Perspectives

Electrification of transport, development of green technologies and implementation of sustainable policies are essential to reduce emissions from tourism. Although the challenges are considerable, the study highlights that a transformation of the tourism sector is necessary to ensure a sustainable future.