The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism
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The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism defines a clear and consistent sector-wide message and approach to climate action in the coming decade. The Initiative supports its signatories by sharing knowledge and resources to better implement their commitments; fostering and supporting the work at destination level to develop and implement climate action plans; tracking and disclosing progress implementing the commitments; and providing international recognition and visibility.
COP29 Declaration on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism acknowledges The Glasgow Declaration Initiative on Climate Action in Tourism as a tool to accelerate climate action in tourism.
The full text of the Declaration is available in:
Over 900 organizations have become signatories of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism to accelerate climate action.
By becoming signatories, organizations agree to implement the commitments detailed in the Glasgow Declaration, notably:
- Support the global commitment to halve emissions by 2030 and reach Net Zero as soon as possible before 2050.
- Deliver climate action plans within 12 months from becoming a signatory (or updating existing plans), and implement them.
- Align plans with the five pathways of the Declaration (Measure, Decarbonise, Regenerate, Collaborate, Finance) to accelerate and co-ordinate climate action in tourism.
- Report publicly on an annual basis on progress against interim and long-term targets, as well as on actions being taken.
- Work in a collaborative spirit, sharing good practices and solutions, and disseminating information to encourage additional organizations to become signatories and supporting one another to reach targets as quickly as possible.
Everyone in the tourism sector has a role to play in accelerating climate action and therefore all tourism stakeholders (legal entities) can become signatories of the Glasgow Declaration. Destinations (national and local governments), businesses (accommodation providers, tour operators, suppliers, etc.) and supporting organizations (NGOs, business associations, academia, etc.) can become signatories of the Initiative.
Policy Guidance to Support Climate Action by National Tourism Administrations
In order to support National Tourism Administrations, in March 2024 UN Tourism launched the Policy Guidance with support from the UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) and technical support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The Policy Guidance has been developed to assist governmental agencies dedicated to tourism in the development of tourism climate action policies and initiatives to support the low-carbon transition for tourism. This policy guidance provides examples of good practice from around the world to illustrate how NTAs can implement climate-enabling policy and other initiatives as well as benefit from climate initiatives in other sectors. The policy guidance is complemented by a Glasgow Declaration signatory Pack for NTAs which provides practical recommendations on how to get started with climate action.
Glasgow Declaration Implementation Report 2023
The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism Implementation Report 2023 presents the results of a systematic review of all progress updates received from signatories during the first reporting exercise conducted between January and June 2023 (over 400 updates), which in many cases include the submission of a Climate Action Plan (over 250 plans).
Climate Action in the Tourism Sector
This report provides an overview of GHG emissions measurement in tourism alongside an assessment of the sector’s climate action efforts. It summarises current methodologies, establishing the approaches and frameworks guiding measurement and the tools available for practitioners to measure emissions.
Background
The Glasgow Declaration is being led by UN Tourism in collaboration with the Travel Foundation, and within the framework of the One Planet Network and Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency initiatives. Learn more about the background of the Declaration and the Drafting Committee.
Sign up to Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism Newsletter to see what we’re up to, how we’re making a difference, and how you can get involved.
For further information please contact oneplanetstp@unwto.org or visit the One Planet website.
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