The Travel & Tourism industry has taken a monumental step forward in its commitment to combating climate change, as revealed in the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) second edition of its Net Zero Roadmap, launched at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. With an astounding 53% of major global Travel & Tourism businesses now setting climate targets—up from 42% in 2021—the industry demonstrates an unwavering dedication to reducing emissions and achieving sustainability goals.

This represents a 27% surge in commitments over the past three years, marking a pivotal moment for a sector that accounts for 6.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

From Ambition to Action: A New Framework for Decarbonisation

The updated roadmap, developed in collaboration with Accenture and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and supported by the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan, delivers an enhanced decarbonisation framework. This includes new “target corridors” to guide businesses in setting science-based, actionable climate goals.

According to the WTTC, one-third of businesses have adopted Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) goals, doubling since the initial roadmap launched at COP26 in Glasgow. This commitment underscores the industry’s effort to align with international climate standards and highlights a shift from pledges to tangible action.

Travel & Tourism’s Shrinking Carbon Footprint

WTTC’s Environmental & Social Research (ESR) offers a promising outlook, revealing that the industry’s carbon footprint has decreased significantly. The sector’s emissions have fallen from 7.8% of global emissions in 2019 to 6.5% in 2023, a 10.2% reduction in greenhouse gas intensity.

Notably:

• The aviation sector reduced carbon intensity by 6% since 2019.
• Cruise and accommodation industries achieved an 11% reduction in emissions intensity over the same period.

These reductions are crucial as the sector balances growth with meaningful environmental action.

Industry Leaders Weigh In

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, delivered a powerful message:

“The urgency of climate action in our sector has never been clearer. Climate change is not a future threat—it’s here, and we are all facing the consequences. This updated roadmap is a call to action for every business in Travel & Tourism. We must work together with greater ambition and urgency to create a sustainable future for Travel & Tourism. Every step counts toward preserving our planet and the livelihoods of millions.”

Jesko-Philipp Neuenburg, Accenture’s Global Travel and Aviation Sustainability Lead, emphasized the importance of moving from ambition to action:

“The second edition of the roadmap underscores the importance of transitioning from commitments to actions and provides pragmatic advice on achieving decarbonisation goals.”

Niclas Svenningsen, UNFCCC Manager, Programmes Coordination, cautioned:

“Business-as-usual is no longer an option. Acting on the pathways presented in this report is the only way Travel & Tourism can maintain its license to operate.”

Global Collaboration for Sustainable Growth

The roadmap stresses the importance of sector-wide collaboration to overcome unique challenges across various industries. For example, small businesses, which form the sector’s backbone, face hurdles such as accessing green financing and measuring Scope 3 emissions.

Governments, businesses, and stakeholders are urged to align efforts and adopt sustainable practices. Notably, the updated roadmap highlights the role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which reduces aviation emissions by up to 80% over its lifecycle. The WTTC calls for increased investment and regulatory alignment to accelerate SAF adoption.

Kanan Gasimov, Head of Cabinet, the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan, shared the country’s pride in contributing to the roadmap:

“Azerbaijan is proud to advocate for tourism’s inclusion in global climate discussions. Through our COP29 Presidency, we are embedding sustainable practices into national policies to align with global climate goals.”

Meeting the Growing Demand for Sustainable Travel

The roadmap comes at a time when consumer demand for sustainable travel is at an all-time high. According to WTTC research, 75% of global travellers desire to travel more sustainably, placing pressure on the sector to deliver eco-friendly solutions.

While the industry is progressing, challenges such as fragmented regulations and complex emissions measurements persist. The WTTC emphasizes the need for incentives and subsidies to support businesses, particularly small- to medium-sized enterprises, in their sustainability journeys.

A Call to Action for the Future

The WTTC’s Net Zero Roadmap serves as both a vision-setting guide and a practical business tool. By uniting under shared goals and implementing tailored strategies, the Travel & Tourism sector can achieve:

• Meaningful emissions reductions within the next decade.
• Long-term climate resilience.
• A sustainable future for vulnerable destinations and communities.

“By taking action now, the industry can lead by example, protect the planet, and meet the expectations of environmentally conscious travelers worldwide,” Simpson concluded.

The full report on the WTTC Research Hub offers businesses actionable insights to advance their sustainability strategies.

Final Thoughts

As the climate crisis intensifies, the Travel & Tourism sector is rising to the challenge, proving that economic growth and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand. With the Net Zero Roadmap as a blueprint for action, the industry stands at the forefront of global efforts to achieve a sustainable future.

The question remains: Will governments and businesses move fast enough to meet the planet’s demands and the growing base of sustainability-conscious travellers? The clock is ticking, and every step forward counts.

 

 

 

Written by: Charmaine Lu

 

 

 

 

 

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