The ‘Glasgow Declaration’ was launched today at the Scottish capital, it is a recognition of the urgent need for a globally consistent and co ordinated action plan for climate action in the tourism sector.
Signatories committed to measure,decarbonize, regenerate and unlock finance so as the make the transion to clean and green energy sources and minimising non bio degradable waste. Apart from this, each signatory commited to come up with a concrete climate action plan, or updated plans, within 12 months of the date of signing.
Some of tourism sector’s biggest businesses have joined governments and destinations in committing to cut emissions by half by 2030 and achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050 at the latest.
Speaking at the COP26 summit, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said that “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”.
The Sec Gen added that “the Glasgow Declaration is a tool to help bridge the gap between good intentions and meaningful climate action”.
Till now, more than 300 tourism stakeholders have signed the Declaration, this includes leading industry players from countries, destinations and other tourism stakeholders both large and small.
The Glasgow Declaration was jointly drafted by UNWTO, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Travel Foundation, Visit Scotland and Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency, within the framework of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme committed to accelerate sustainable consumption and production patterns.
The Glasgow Declaration is a tool to help bridge the gap between good intentions and meaningful climate action
“WTTC is delighted to be a supporter and launch partner to the Glasgow Declaration and thereby add our voice, the voice of the global private sector, to this important collective call for heightened ambition in the travel and tourism sector. The Glasgow Declaration is a real opportunity for travel and tourism to unite and show true leadership as we strive towards Net Zero”, said Julia Simpson, President and CEO, WTTC.
