Tourism and Climate Change: Blessing or Curse? Presentation to TIAC Leadership Summit, 2008, Gatineau, November 3rd, 2008 Anna Pollock, Executive Consultant,

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Tourism and Climate Change: Blessing or Curse? Presentation to TIAC Leadership Summit, 2008, Gatineau, November 3rd, 2008 Anna Pollock, Executive Consultant, Environmental Services InterVISTAS Consulting Inc.
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2 Paper available from: www.theicarusfoundation.com Background Resource
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The Science 3 Tourism is both a victim of and a contributor to climate change So is tourism to be just part of the problem or part of the solution? Dr. Pachauri, Head of IPCC & Co-winner of Nobel Peace Prize http://ceochallenge.pata.org/site/index.php?id=pachauri08 http://ceochallenge.pata.org/site/index.php?id=pachauri08
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Just how warm do we want to be? "If warming is not kept below two degrees centigrade, substantial global impacts will occur, such as species extinctions, and millions of people will be at risk from drought, hunger, flooding. International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) + 2C (+ 0.6 ) 4
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Its Getting Worse Not Better
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Greenhouse gas emissions are rising at an accelerating rate 7
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Sustained curiosity, & preparedness needed! Wild cards and chain reactions Albedo effect Methane Deforestation Ocean currents Not necessarily gradual
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Climate Change & Tourism: The Curse? 9
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Market Appeal
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Ecological Diversity
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Cultural Diversity
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Fragility These plus 22 other mammals and 540 other species are at significant risk of extinction in BC
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Landscapes
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Water: Too Little or Too Much?
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19 PREPAREDNESS Low High RISK High Low Source: KPMG Transport, Tourism, Aviation in Danger Zone
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Pressure from Corporate Travel Procurement Big business is acting quickly Public companies required to disclose carbon footprint as part of its CSR report Companies with huge travel budgets like PWC, Siemens etc are targeting a 20% reduction in air travel for each staff member. Green meetings and Incentive travel are first to be seriously affected Reduce internally first, then delving into supply chain
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Growing Public Concern
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More Consumer Research Needed The anti-flying hysteria is maturing but significant shifts in values are occurring among educated and affluent consumers Relationship between attitudes and behaviour still emerging Who are the Greens? How do green values vary by market and explorer type? What are they really seeking?
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Government Responses Reduction Targets all levels of government Need a clear price signal for carbon Taxation or Cap-and-Trade Personal Carbon Allowances? US Election Green New Deal
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Impact on Business Loss of business Risk Management Cost control Increased insurance Adaptation expenses Differentiation opportunities Reputation
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25 What Does Tourism Contribute? Source: UNWTO
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26 The Global Travel & Tourism Responsibility 2020 BAU CO 2 =2586 million 1990 CO 2 = 673 million 2020 Target CO 2 = 471 million 2.115 billion tons
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Intl Air is the Elephant in the Room No mention of tourism International aviation excluded from Kyoto protocol Total emissions in 200X = 71 million tons Emissions associated with international air arrivals could = 6.5-7.0 million tons Equivalent to: GHG produced by housing in BC
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Hospitality Footprint Hotels, motels, restaurants in Canada generate 5 million tonnes
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Aviation emissions account for ~78% of all emissions Internal GHG reductions dwarfed by air travel emissions Whistlers Carbon Footprint Source: Energy Information Administration Visitor Travel to/from Whistler 2030 ~ 14% ~ 86% Internal Whistlers CO2 Emissions
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Aviation Emissions Growing Faster than Total Emissions US CO2 Emissions Annualized Growth Rate 1980 - 2004 2.0% 1.6% 0.9% Sources: US Bureau of Transportation Statistics National Transportation Statistics 2007 and OECD
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Some Good News Efficiency Gains Source: US Bureau of Transportation Statistics National Transportation Statistics 2007. CAGR: -1.9% US Domestic Aviation CO2 Emissions per Passenger Mile 1980 2004
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Total Emissions Continue to Climb Source: US Bureau of Transportation Statistics National Transportation Statistics 2007. CAGR: 2.0% US Domestic Aviation CO2 Emissions 1980 - 2004
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Climate Change & Tourism: The Blessing? 33
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34 Whats Possibly Good About Climate Change? 1.Environmental awareness and eco-literacy 2.Greenhouse gas emissions can be measured and reduced
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35 Whats Possibly Good About Climate Change? Climate change is the synthesis of all other environmental issues; energy inefficiency, pollution, species extinction, water use, desertification, urban sprawlmany of the most pressing environmental issues are related intimately to the problem of climate change Canadian Environmental Grantmakers Network
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36 Whats Possibly Good About Climate Change? 1.Environmental awareness and eco-literacy 2.Greenhouse gases can be measured 3.Reducing our Carbon Footprint is good for business
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37 Positive Effects of Reducing Carbon Reduces operational costs Energy Waste processing Insurance Capital Engages employees improves recruitment Attracts investment Protects Brand, enhance reputation Increases resilience
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38 Whats Possibly Good About Climate Change? 1.Eco-awareness and eco-literacy 2.Greenhouse gases can be measured 3.Reducing carbon is good for business 4.Its forcing us to tell the truth about sustainability 5.Its forcing us to think about tourism in a low carbon economy.
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What Needs Be Done? 1. Raise awareness 2.Commit to reducing its carbon footprint Measure nationally, provincially, by DMO, Association & Business Disclose Reduce Offset (last resort) Communicate
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You Need an ARROW to hit a target! 1.Assess 2.Reduce Waste 3.Renewable Energy 4.Offset the balance 5.Win over governments, customers, employees and investors tell positive stories
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What can and must tourism do? 3. Develop meaningful sustainable destination plans Focus on the net benefit Ensure existing businesses are profitable and resilient before opening/ developing/attracting new ones Change mix of domestic/international Zero waste on the ground Changing transportation modes Slower travel Achieve much higher yields per visitor end discount, cheap travel Invest in stewarding the resources on which tourism depends 4. Get ready for a low carbon economy lead!
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Back to Icarus Icarus has achieved: Some brand recognition A new Board Discussion paper Were here! Icarus needs 1.Committed concerned people 5 in every province and territory 2.Talent and finance to undertake a countrywide awareness and education program You cant address a problem you dont understand
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Thank You! www.theicarusfoundation.com www.icarusfoundation.typepad.com www.desticorp.com [email protected] www.interVISTAS.com
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The InterVISTAS Group InterVISTAS Consulting Vancouver, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Montral InterVISTAS-ga2 Washington DC, Chicago InterVISTAS-EU London Aviation, Tourism consulting 70 team members Broad range of marketing, security, facilitation, planning, economics and environmental services Sustainable Tourism Strategies for Destinations & enterprises Carbon audits Contact Joe Kelly Anna Pollock [email protected][email protected] [email protected][email protected]