WTTC and Saudi-based Sustainable Global Tourism Center launched the inaugural Environmental & Social Research between 2010 and 2019, the sector’s GDP has grown on average 4.3% annually whilst its climate footprint increased by just 2.4%.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has today unveiled groundbreaking new data detailing the climate footprint of the global Travel & Tourism sector.

The divergence of the sector’s economic growth from its climate footprint between 2010 and 2019 shows that Travel & Tourism’s economic growth is decoupling from its greenhouse gas emissions.

Between 2010 and 2019, our sector’s GDP has grown by 4.3% annually, whilst its environmental footprint has only increased by 2.4%. The broader Environmental & Social Research (ESR) will include measures of the sector’s impact against a range of indicators, including pollutants, energy sources, and water use, as well as social data, including age, wage and gender profiles of Travel & Tourism related employment.

These emissions have been falling consistently since 2010 due to technological developments and several energy efficiency measures introduced across industry sectors.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Until now, we did not have a sector-wide way to measure our climate footprint accurately”.

Previous estimates have suggested that the global Travel & Tourism sector was responsible for up to 11% of all emissions.

WTTC will continue to announce new data on how the sector fares against these indicators throughout 2023.

Saudi Arabia Minister of Tourism, HE Ahmed Al-Khateeb, added: “We are proud to be a partner to the WTTC in this critical research that will monitor impact for the future. However, WTTC’s pioneering research shows that in 2019 the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions totalled just 8.1% globally.

Governments worldwide now have a tool to inform their decision-making and accelerate environmental change more accurately.

Saudi Arabia recognizes that travellers and investors want policies that promote sustainability in the industry, and we have embarked on a journey that will make the Kingdom a pioneer in sustainable tourism.

Travel & Tourism is making considerable strides to decarbonise, but Governments must set the framework.

The findings were launched today at the global tourism body’s 22nd Global Summit in Riyadh.

Under the Saudi Green Initiative, we launched more than 60 initiatives in the past year to do just that.

During her opening speech, Julia Simpson, President & CEO of WTTC, announced the Environmental & Social Research (ESR) findings. In one of the most significant research projects ever undertaken, WTTC can, for the first time, accurately report and track the impact industries within the sector have on the environment. We also need more effective use of renewable energy in our national grids – so when we turn on a light in a hotel room, it uses a sustainable energy source.

8.1% is the stake in the ground. The key is to become more efficient and decoupling the rate at which we grow from the amount of energy we consume from today. Every decision, and every change, will lead to a better and brighter future for all.

In a world first, this comprehensive research covers 185 countries across all regions. It will be updated annually with the latest figures—the global Summit in Riyadh by the World Travel & Tourism Council and the Saudi-based Sustainable Global Tourism Centre.

This data will give governments the detailed information they need to make progress against the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We need a steely focus on increasing the production of Sustainable Aviation fuels with Government incentives.

Written by: Jill Walsh

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