Half the world's top travel firms making progress on sustainability, says WTTC
More than half of the world’s top 250 travel businesses have now set climate targets, new research by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed.
The WTTC found that 53% of the 250 leading businesses have now set targets, compared with 42% in 2021.
The figures were revealed in the WTTC’s Net Zero Roadmap for Travel and Tourism report, which was launched at the Cop29 climate conference in Azerbaijan.
Among these businesses, a third have committed to Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) goals – double the number since 2021.
The report claims there has been a “significant decrease” in travel and tourism’s carbon emissions, down to 6.5% of global emissions in 2023 from a peak of 7.8% in 2019.
It said: “In 2023, the aviation industry achieved a 6% reduction in carbon intensity from 2019, when travel and tourism was at its peak, while the cruise and accommodation industries both decreased their carbon intensity by 11%.”
Julia Simpson, WTTC president and chief executive, said: “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 and tourism. The sector is moving forward; but we mustn’t rest on the laurels.”
The WTTC also called for increased use of sustainable aviation fuels and easier access to green financing for SMEs that lack resources to implement sustainability measures.
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