Climate change and tourism

The impacts of climate change on the tourism sector require immediate action to not only help mitigate these effects but also open the door to new opportunities through the implementation of environmental and social best practices. The summer season has brought us record high temperatures, with some European cities reaching up to 43ºC, making us think about the link between tourism and climate change. This problem is not new, but it has come to the fore in recent years due to extreme climate events such as record heat, water shortages, wildfires and ski resorts without snow.

The relationship between tourism and climate change has been analyzed for a long time in various forums. At the 2021 climate summit, COP 25 in Glasgow, the tourism sector committed to five key goals: measurement, decarbonisation, regeneration, cooperation and financing.

It is important to remember that climate change affects tourism, just as tourism affects climate change. These are two distinct issues, but they must be addressed in a coordinated manner to achieve effective climate change adaptation and mitigation. Tourism is responsible for 8 % of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it a leading contributor to the problem.

One of the main challenges is the accurate measurement of CO2 emissions, including indirect emissions, which represent more than 90 % of the total. Businesses may face challenges associated with the new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which requires disclosure of information on all emissions, including indirect ones.

For example, in the hotel sector, guest transport accounts for almost half of the emissions footprint, which only highlights the challenge involving all aspects of tourism. These challenges include measuring the carbon footprint in various areas, such as personnel transfers, waste production or investments.

The first step towards decarbonisation is the measurement of emissions, which is necessary to fulfill international obligations, especially for the EU. The goal is to reduce emissions by 50 % by 2030, which also includes indirectly generated emissions. Therefore, companies must have a clear plan that also meets CSRD standards. Although it is not the task of this text to describe in detail all the measures that must be taken by, for example, the hotel sector, it is clear that the production and purchase of renewable energy sources and the improvement of energy efficiency will be key factors. A key part of the decarbonisation strategy will be the integration of the entire supply chain.

In these circumstances, where information is transferred between businesses and consumers, measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change become a competitive advantage, given the growing awareness of society. Here too, however, adaptations to the effects of climate change, which are manifested by changes in the consumer habits of tourists, come into consideration.

A recent analysis of bank card spending shows that between 2019 and 2023 consumption increased by 45 % in regions with lower average temperatures, while in warmer areas the increase reached only 30 %. The interconnection between consumption and climate conditions is beginning to influence tourism's responses to these challenges.

Factors such as high temperatures, droughts and fires must be taken into account when assessing the financial risks and opportunities resulting from climate change. Hotels focused on providing accommodation should consider these factors that affect the quality and quantity of tourism. Effects on high-altitude tourism, shortening of ski seasons, rising sea levels or changes in biodiversity are just some of the examples.

As we can see, all these factors interact, so consumer habits are beginning to change in line with ecological concerns. At various international forums, emphasis is now being placed on how the tourism industry adapts to the conditions of sector growth. This presents an opportunity to introduce environmental and social best practices that could serve as a model for other regions while supporting their own decarbonization goals towards neutrality. (Co2AI)