Tourism and Climate Change:Blessing or Curse?
Presentation to TIAC Leadership Summit, 2008, Gatineau, November 3rd, 2008
Anna Pollock,Executive Consultant,
Environmental ServicesInterVISTAS Consulting Inc.
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Paper available from:
www.theicarusfoundation.com
Background Resource
The Science
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Tourism is both a victim of and a contributor to climate change
So is tourism to be just part of the problem orpart of the solution?
Dr. Pachauri, Head of IPCC & Co-winner of Nobel Peace Prizehttp://ceochallenge.pata.org/site/index.php?id=pachauri08
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)
+ 2°C(+ 0.6°)
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It’s Getting Worse Not Better
It’s Getting Worse Not Better
Greenhouse gas emissions are rising at an accelerating rate
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Sustained curiosity, & preparedness needed!
Wild cards and chain reactions Albedo effect Methane Deforestation Ocean currents
Not necessarily gradual
Climate Change & Tourism:
The Curse?
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Market Appeal
Market Appeal
Market Appeal
Market Appeal
Ecological Diversity
Cultural Diversity
Fragility
These plus 22 other mammals and 540 other species are at significant risk of extinction in BC
Landscapes
Water: Too Little or Too Much?
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PR
EP
AR
ED
NE
SS
Low
High
RISK High
Low
Source: KPMG
Transport, Tourism, Aviation in Danger Zone
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
Growing Public Concern
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?
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
Impact on Business
Loss of business Risk Management Cost control Increased insurance Adaptation expenses Differentiation
opportunities Reputation
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What Does Tourism Contribute?
Source: UNWTO
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The Global Travel & Tourism Responsibility
2020 BAU CO2 =2586 million
1990 CO2 = 673 million
2020 Target CO2 = 471 million
2.115 billion tons
Int’l 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
Hospitality Footprint
Hotels, motels, restaurants in Canada generate 5 million tonnes
Aviation emissions account for ~78% of all emissions Internal GHG reductions dwarfed by air travel emissions
Whistler’s Carbon Footprint
Source: Energy Information Administration
Visitor Travel to/from Whistler
2030
~ 14%
~ 86%
Internal
Whistler’s CO2 Emissions
Aviation Emissions Growing Faster than Total Emissions
US CO2 Emissions Annualized Growth Rate 1980 - 2004
0.0% 0.5% 1.0% 1.5% 2.0% 2.5%
Annual Percentage Change
Aviation
Transport
Total
2.0%
1.6%
0.9%
Sources: US Bureau of Transportation Statistics National Transportation Statistics 2007 and OECD
Some Good News – Efficiency Gains
0.0
0.1
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80
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Year
CO
2 E
mis
sio
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pe
r P
as
se
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Mil
e -
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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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50
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Year
To
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CO 2
Em
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s -
Bil
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of
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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
Climate Change & Tourism: The Blessing?
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What’s Possibly Good About Climate Change?
1. Environmental awareness and eco-literacy
2. Greenhouse gas emissions can be measured and reduced
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What’s Possibly Good About Climate Change?
“Climate change is the synthesis of all other environmental issues; energy inefficiency, pollution, species extinction, water use, desertification, urban sprawl…many of the most pressing environmental issues are related intimately to the problem of climate change” Canadian Environmental Grantmaker’s Network
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What’s 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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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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What’s 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. It’s forcing us to tell the truth about sustainability
5. It’s forcing us to think about tourism in a low carbon economy.
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
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
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!
Back to Icarus
Icarus has achieved: Some brand recognition A new Board Discussion paper We’re here!
Icarus needs1. Committed concerned people – 5 in every province and
territory
2. Talent and finance to undertake a countrywide awareness and education program
You can’t address a problem you don’t understand
Thank You!
www.theicarusfoundation.com
www.icarusfoundation.typepad.com
www.desticorp.com
www.interVISTAS.com
The InterVISTAS Group
InterVISTAS Consulting Vancouver, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Montréal
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
ContactJoe Kelly Anna [email protected] [email protected]
