WTTC Calls for Government Action for Environment

WTTC Calls for Government Action for Environment

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has issued a Communiqué during the International Climate Change Negotiations in Durban which urges governments to develop climate change policies which ensure that travel and tourism can grow sustainably and continue to provide millions of new jobs across the planet, regardless of whether an agreement is reached in Durban.

As one of the world’s largest industries, generating more than 9 percent of global GDP and accounting for some 260 million jobs worldwide, the continued growth of the travel and tourism industry is critical to the economic and social well-being of millions of people, and is therefore a key driver of economic recovery. As such, the travel industry has an immense role to play in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

To help governments expand on the sustainable policy structure needed, WTTC is calling for supportive and progressive policy frameworks; programs which foster innovation; investment in transparent reporting, measuring and verification systems; incentives to promote efficiency improvements; empowerment of citizens to purchase and consume responsibly; and inclusion of travel and tourism in mitigation and adaptation programs.

A concerted effort is needed to develop a common solution that can be embraced by the travel and tourism industry, governments and consumers worldwide to tackle this global problem in a coordinated fashion. While progress in Durban would go a long way in providing clarity internationally, the responsibility still remains on national governments to develop the policies needed to ensure that the industry achieves low-carbon growth.