The Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI) has become a signatory to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.
The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism unites travel and tourism around a common set of pathways for climate action, aligning the sector with global commitments and catalysing collaborative solutions to the many challenges facing businesses and destinations globally.
The Glasgow Declaration encourages the acceleration of climate action in tourism by securing commitments to reduce tourism emissions by at least 50% over the next decade and to reach the goal of zero emissions as soon as possible before 2050.
The Declaration has been officially launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November 2021. Full details of the launch event can be found here.
As a signatory to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, the Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI) has committed to align its actions with the latest scientific recommendations, to ensure that its approach remains consistent with an increase of no more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100. It has also agreed to submit or update climate action plans within 12 months, align the plans with the Declaration's five pathways (Measure, Decarbonise, Regenerate, Collaborate, Finance), report publicly each year and work in a spirit of collaboration, sharing good practice and solutions, and disseminating information.
What is the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism?
The intention of the Glasgow Declaration is to encourage and enable all stakeholders in the travel and tourism sector to sign up and demonstrate, for the first time as a united sector, a shared voice and commitment to align the sector's climate ambitions with scientific recommendations and international agreements.
What is the aim of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism?
The Glasgow Declaration aims to unite all stakeholders in the tourism sector around a common set of pathways for climate action by
- Defining a clear and coherent sector-wide message and approach to climate action over the next decade, in line with the broader scientific framework and the urgency to act now.
- Outlining specific pathways and actions that will accelerate tourism's ability to transform tourism and achieve Net Zero as soon as possible.
- Encouraging signatories from all tourism sectors to demonstrate public support for scaling up the sector's response to the climate emergency.
What are signatories committing to?
By becoming signatories, organisations commit to
- Support the global commitment to halve emissions by 2030 and reach zero by 2050.
- Submit climate action plans within 12 months of becoming signatories (or update existing plans), and start implementing them.
- Align their plans with the Declaration's five pathways (Measure, Decarbonise, Regenerate, Collaborate, Finance) to accelerate and coordinate climate action in tourism.
- Publicly report annually on progress against intermediate and long-term targets and actions taken.
- Work in a spirit of collaboration, sharing good practices and solutions, and disseminating information to encourage other organisations to become signatories and support each other in reaching the targets as soon as possible.
What are the five pathways defined in the Glasgow Declaration?
Measure: Measure and disclose all travel and tourism related emissions.
Decarbonise: Set and meet science-based targets to accelerate the decarbonisation of tourism.
Regenerate: Restore and protect ecosystems, supporting nature's capacity to absorb carbon, as well as safeguarding biodiversity, food security and water supply.
Collaborate: Share evidence of risks and solutions with all stakeholders and our guests, and work together to ensure our plans are as effective and coordinated as possible.
Fund: Ensure that the organisation's resources and capacity are sufficient to meet the targets set out in the climate plans.
