Tourism unites to launch the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action at COP26
Tourism unites to launch the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action at COP26
Today the tourism industry came together to launch the ‘Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism’ at the UN Climate Change Conference COP26.
Some of tourism’s biggest businesses have joined governments and destinations in committing to cut emissions in half by 2030 and achieve Net Zero by 2050 at the latest.
The Glasgow Declaration recognizes the urgent need for a globally consistent plan for climate action in tourism. Signatories commit to measure, decarbonize, regenerate and unlock finance. Additionally, each signatory commits to deliver a concrete climate action plan, or updated plan, within 12 months of signing.
Already, more than 300 tourism stakeholders have signed up to the Declaration, including leading industry players to destinations, countries and other tourism stakeholders ranging from large to small. The Glasgow Declaration was developed through the collaboration of UNWTO, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Visit Scotland, the Travel Foundation 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 launch event at COP26 featured a panel discussion underscoring the importance of increased climate action and ambition in the tourism sector, with contributions from David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia alongside Iván Eskildsen, Minister of Tourism for Panama; Jan Christian Vestre, Minister of Trade and Industry for Norway; Patrick Child, Deputy Director General for the Environment at the European Commission; Julia Simpson, CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council; Catherine Dolton, Trustee and Treasurer of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance; Darrell Wade, Co-founder and Chairman, Intrepid Group; and Jeremy Smith, Co-founder of Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency.
The 300+ signatories include businesses, countries, tourism stakeholders and destinations, among them:
Accor
AITO – The Specialist Travel Association
ANVR – Dutch Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators
Asian Ecotourism Network
Panama
Barbados
Bilbao Convention Bureau
Bucuti & Tara
Cairngorns National Park Authority
Dallas Fort Worth Airport
ETOA – European Tourism Association
Forum Anders Reisen
Future of Tourism Coalition
GSTC – Global Sustainable Tourism Council
Iberostar Group
Innovation Norway
Intrepid Travel
Legacy Vacation Resorts
Much Better Adventures
Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions
NECSTouR – Network of European Regions for Sustainable and Competitive Tourism
