2023-04-28-世界旅游组织-旅游业气候行动_60页_797kb

Summary of "Climate Action in the Tourism Sector – An overview of methodologies and tools to measure greenhouse gas emissions"

Core Content

This report, published by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 2023, provides an overview of the current methodologies and tools used in the tourism sector to measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It highlights the challenges and opportunities for the sector in transitioning to a low-carbon future, with a focus on the importance of emissions measurement as a foundational step in climate action.

Main Objectives

• To assess the current state of GHG emissions measurement in the tourism sector.
• To identify challenges and gaps in existing methodologies and tools.
• To provide guidance for stakeholders to develop more effective and inclusive measurement practices.
• To support the implementation of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, which emphasizes the need for measurement as a first step in climate action.

Key Findings

• Tourism's Emissions Impact: Tourism accounts for approximately 5-8% of global GHG emissions, with 75% attributed to transportation. This percentage is expected to rise without significant decarbonization efforts.
• Measurement Challenges: The tourism sector lacks standardized and universally accepted methodologies. There is a lack of consensus on who is responsible for measuring emissions and where the boundaries of measurement lie.
• Fragmented Approaches: Different stakeholders (accommodation providers, tour operators, and destinations) use varying tools and metrics, often not aligned with each other or with global standards.
• SMEs and Measurement: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent 80% of tourism businesses but are largely unengaged with emissions measurement. They require tailored, accessible tools to participate effectively.
• Current Tools and Metrics: Common metrics include CO₂e per customer, CO₂e per booking, GHG per guest/night, and CO₂ per passenger per night. However, these are not consistently applied across the sector.
• Need for Consensus and Guidance: A sector-wide approach is necessary to ensure consistency, transparency, and scalability in emissions measurement and reporting.
• Glasgow Declaration Commitments: The declaration outlines five pathways for climate action: measure, decarbonize, regenerate, collaborate, and finance. Measurement is the first and critical pathway.

Key Recommendations

• Find Consensus: Establish clear boundaries and responsibilities for emissions measurement across the sector.
• Tailored Guidance: Provide specific tools and methodologies for different stakeholder groups, especially SMEs.
• Prioritize Usability: Focus on user-friendly tools rather than overly complex or precise ones to increase engagement.
• Support SMEs: Develop mechanisms to catalyze support for SMEs in adopting measurement practices.
• Promote Benefits: Highlight the financial, social, and environmental benefits of emissions measurement to encourage wider adoption.
• Expand Scope: Include non-carbon benefits and climate risk valuations in future measurement frameworks.
• Incorporate Nature-Based Solutions: Measure the mitigation potential of nature-based solutions and their broader environmental impacts.

Current Status of Emissions Measurement

• Only 20.7% of respondents in the Global Survey on Climate Action in Tourism reported measuring emissions.
• Lack of Standardization: Even among those measuring, there is little agreement on metrics or standards.
• Tools and Methods: Some companies use proprietary tools, consultants, or the Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative (HCMI). Few tools are freely accessible and designed for widespread use.
• Progress in Commitments: By the end of 2022, around 800 businesses, destinations, and associations had signed up to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.

Conclusion

Emissions measurement is essential for the tourism sector to meet its climate commitments and ensure long-term viability. With the sector rebounding post-pandemic and facing increasing pressure to act, the development of standardized, accessible, and inclusive methodologies is critical. The report underscores the need for a collaborative and equitable approach to measurement, particularly for vulnerable destinations and SMEs, to support a fair and effective transition to a low-carbon future.

Key Terms

• GHG Emissions: Greenhouse gas emissions, including CO₂, methane, and other gases.
• Scopes:
  • Scope 1: Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources.
  • Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased energy.
  • Scope 3: All other indirect emissions, including supply chain and transportation.
• Glasgow Declaration: A global commitment by the tourism sector to reduce emissions and take climate action.

Annexes Overview

• Annex 1: Describes the research methodology and criteria used to evaluate methodologies and tools.
• Annex 2: Provides a detailed table of methodologies and tools used in the sector.
• Annex 3: Explains emission scopes in detail.
• Annex 4: Defines key terms related to GHG emissions measurement.
• Annex 5: Lists companies reviewed for their climate commitments.

References

• UNWTO & UNEP (2019): Baseline Report on the Integration of Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns into Tourism Policies.
• IPCC (2022): Highlights the need for emissions to halve by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.
• IEA (2022): Reports on global CO₂ emissions and clean energy investment trends.
• WTTC (2021): Net Zero Roadmap for Tourism.

Summary of Key Messages

• Tourism's Complexity: The sector's diversity and overlapping value chain make emissions measurement challenging.
• Transport as a Major Contributor: Transport, especially aviation, is the largest source of tourism-related emissions.
• Equity in Measurement: A fair and transparent approach is necessary to address the disproportionate vulnerability of developing countries reliant on tourism.

Why Measurement Matters

• Emissions measurement is not only a tool for accountability but also a means to identify opportunities for decarbonization.
• As the climate crisis intensifies, the tourism sector must demonstrate leadership and measurable progress in emissions reduction to maintain its social license and economic relevance.