Tourism stakeholders sign to cut emissions within the industry

More than 300 tourism stakeholders have signed up to a climate action declaration that seeks to cut emissions within the industry as part of the ongoing UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland.

The ‘Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism’ was launched on Thursday last week at the COP26 and included signatories from countries and key tourism stakeholders from across the world who are seeking to create the right momentum to accelerate climate action in tourism through sustainable production and consumption.  

The declaration recognises the urgent need for a globally consistent plan for climate action in tourism with the signatories committing to cut emissions by half by 2030 and achieve a net-zero by 2050.

They also committed to measure, decarbonise, regenerate and unlock finances needed to assist the industry to achieve the pledge with each signatory promising to deliver either a concrete climate action plan or an updated plan within 12 months of signing.

United Nations World Tourism Organisation secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili said the Glasgow Declaration is a tool to help bridge the gap between good intentions and meaningful climate action. “While many private businesses have led the way in advancing climate action, a more ambitious sector-wide approach is needed to ensure tourism accelerates climate action in a meaningful way,” said Pololikashvili.

The declaration was developed through the collaboration of UNWTO, UNEP, Visit Scotland, the Travel Foundation and Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency, within the framework of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme.

“We are delighted to be a supporter and launch partner to the Glasgow Declaration and add the voice of the global private sector, to this important collective call for heightened ambition in the travel and tourism sector. The Declaration is a real opportunity for travel and tourism to unite and show leadership as we strive towards Net Zero,” said Julia Simpson, president and CEO of, World Travel and Tourism Council.

Tourism has in the last two years suffered from the effects of Covid-19 with global travel coming to a standstill. In addition, global tourism relies heavily on air travel, a key contributor to greenhouse gases whose long-term effects include a warmer planet.