COP29 Tourism Sector Gains Global Support for Climate Action

COP29 marked a significant milestone in global efforts to address climate change within the tourism sector. For the first time in history, Tourism Day was held at the summit, featuring the First Ministerial Meeting on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism. Over 50 countries backed a historic declaration to drive climate action within the tourism industry, acknowledging the sector’s impact on global greenhouse gas emissions while recognizing its potential to promote climate adaptation and regeneration strategies.

Key Points

Tourism Day at COP29

• A historic first at COP29, dedicated to addressing tourism’s role in climate change.
• The First Ministerial Meeting on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism focused on aligning tourism policy with national climate goals.
• Over 700 stakeholders participated in the Tourism Day events, including government officials, private sector leaders, and climate experts.

Commitment from 50+ Countries

• More than 50 countries endorsed the COP29 Declaration for Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism.
• Governments united to position tourism as a key sector in global climate action, emphasizing both its impact and potential for positive change.

High-Level Participation

• The First Ministerial was chaired by Mr. Fuad Naghiyev, Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan, with participation from COP29 President H.E. Mr. Mukhtar Babayev and representatives from UN Tourism, UNEP, and UNFCCC.
• Key Ministers of Tourism from UAE, Brazil, Costa Rica, and other countries were involved in high-level discussions on climate action.

Tourism’s Impact and Responsibility

• UN Tourism and UNEP highlighted that tourism accounts for 8.8% of global emissions, including both direct and indirect emissions.
• The sector’s impact on climate change is significant, but its role in fostering climate adaptation and regeneration strategies is also recognized.

Science-Based Approach to Climate Action

• A science-based approach was emphasized, using advanced research from the University of Queensland to understand the scale of tourism’s emissions.
• The UN Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism was presented as a key tool for advancing climate action in the sector.

Key Areas of Focus

• Measurement: Discussions covered carbon measurement at global, country, business, and product labeling levels.
• Decarbonization & Adaptation: Key strategies include decarbonizing the sector and fostering climate adaptation and regeneration through innovation and scalable financing mechanisms.
• Collaboration: Collaboration among governments, businesses, and stakeholders is crucial for effective climate action and achieving sustainability goals.

Glasgow Declaration Initiative

• Over 900 signatories to the Glasgow Declaration have developed 370+ climate action plans, with 74% of plans focused on measurement and 92% including decarbonization actions.
• New signatories, including Destination Canada and the Department for Tourism in Samarkand Region (Uzbekistan), were added during COP29.

Future Steps and Partnerships

• A Letter of Intent was signed between UN Tourism and the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan to create a global coordination mechanism for climate-resilient tourism development.
• The partnership will continue efforts leading up to COP30 in Belem, Brazil in 2025, ensuring the tourism sector’s transition to a low-carbon, sustainable, and resilient future.