According to UNWTO The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism

Support the global commitment to halve emissions by 2030 and reach Net Zero as soon as possible before 2050.
Deliver climate action plans within 12 months from becoming a signatory (or updating existing plans) and implement them.
Align plans with the five pathways of the Declaration (Measure, Decarbonize, 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.

Besides, At COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, A Net Zero Roadmap for Travel and Tourism, published by the WTTC, highlighted how the sector might go carbon-free to protect both the future of travel and tourism and the environment.

So many nations around the world have signed it.

However, was there a solid result?

Although the aviation sector contributed about 3.5% of the world's CO2 emissions in 2005, it is predicted that with rapid, uncontrolled growth, the Airline sector will produce 15–40% of the world's CO2 by 2050!

Sea levels have risen throughout the Korean Peninsula by about 2 millimeters per year over the past 40 years. If this is climate change scenario, Jeju Island’s Sea level is expected to increase by 53–65 cm in the second half of the 21st century. The island will face severe natural disasters and sea level rise. Therefore, no more tourism...

Some of the specific impacts that climate change may have on global tourism include:

· Reduced availability of natural resources: As climate change leads to changes in rainfall patterns, water scarcity may become a problem in some areas. This can affect the availability of water for tourists, which can impact tourism activities such as swimming, boating, and other water-based activities.

· Damage to infrastructure: Climate change can lead to more frequent and severe natural disasters, which can damage tourist infrastructure such as hotels, resorts, and transportation networks. This can cause disruptions to tourism and locals.

· Changes in demand and seasonality: Climate change can also impact the demand for certain types of tourism. For example, warmer temperatures may lead to increased demand for beach vacations, while extreme heat may discourage travelers from visiting too hot destinations.

· Shifts in wildlife populations: Climate change can cause shifts in wildlife populations, which can impact ecotourism activities. This can also lead to changes in the availability of wildlife viewing opportunities, which can affect the tourism industry.

Overall, the impacts of climate change on global tourism are likely to be complex and varied and will depend on a range of factors including location, tourism activity, and regional climate conditions. However, it is clear that climate change will pose significant challenges for the tourism industry in the coming decades.

Therefore, the urgency to increase climate action in the tourism industry remains top priority.

Today’s smart destinations (eg: Barcelona, Venice, etc.) are shifting their attention to how beneficial each visitor may be and working to maximize that value while minimizing the negative effects on the climate and other environmental or social issues, instead of going after more and more tourists.

- Smart grids and renewables for energy generation (rooftop solars, wind, etc. and international connection to transmission and distribution lines of renewable energy)

- E-cars instead of regular cars as long as power distribution allows (Each electric vehicle reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 1.8 tons annually.)

- Green building – low carbon buildings design guideline system for all type of constructions

- Concentrate on more natural beauty, mountains, peaceful empty seashores, history and culture of the destination rather than luxury hotels along the shores

- Target for longer-stay tourists who would take time and minimize unnecessary travel and transport within destination.

- Prefer serving local seasonal food wherever possible in order to avoid long “food miles”. (Transportation is 19% of the overall emissions from the food system, which means that the CO2 emissions from the global food miles are 3.5 to 7.5 times higher than previously thought.)

- Promote and apply zero plastic, zero disposable products.

- Ecological Education for Children for the next generations

- Promote airlines with Sustainable aviation fuel is known as SAF. (Though ticket rates will be higher, travelers still prefer to cause less harm to globe)

- All seashore resort destinations must manufacture offshore wind farms due to their low costs in transmitting the energy from the sea to the shore. (Compared to the roughly 980 g CO2/kWh generated by coal Wind Energy generates 11 g CO2/kWh, 40 times less!)

Climate Action in Tourism