The Glasgow Declaration is a global effort to boost climate action in tourism. Launched at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November 2021, it highlights the critical need for the industry to cut carbon emissions and embrace sustainable practices. The declaration supports global goals to halve emissions by 2030 and reach Net Zero before 2050. It seeks to coordinate climate efforts among tourism stakeholders, including governments, agencies, donors, financial institutions, international organizations, civil society, the private sector, and academia.

Additionally, the declaration offers a pathway for a green recovery from COVID-19, transforming tourism into a more sustainable and resilient industry. This involves shifting away from carbon- and material-intensive practices and prioritizing the well-being of communities and ecosystems. It advocates for a just and inclusive transformation, focusing on the needs of under-represented and vulnerable groups such as women, indigenous communities, people with disabilities, and small island states.

Over 850 organizations have joined the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism. Signatories are required to formulate and implement climate action plans, report their progress annually, and collaborate to share best practices. By signing, organizations commit to the declaration’s outlined goals. Every entity in the tourism sector has a role in speeding up climate action, and thus, all tourism stakeholders (legal entities) can become signatories. The Initiative supports its signatories by providing knowledge and resources to help them meet their commitments, fostering destination-level efforts to develop and implement climate action plans, tracking and reporting progress, and offering international recognition and visibility.

By bringing together all tourism stakeholders, the declaration aims to redefine success in tourism to include the restoration of ecosystems, biodiversity, and communities, ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for everyone involved.

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#Climate action #Carbon footprint reduction #Sustainable tourism #Green transition #Resilience planning