Climate protection and tourism: How does that fit together?

Climate protection and tourism: How does that fit together?

In recent years, the term "sustainable tourism" has gained importance. In view of the global effects of Climate change and the need to reduce CO2 emissions, the tourism industry and its customers are looking for ways to minimize their influence on the environment. In this article we will deal with how climate protection and tourism can be brought together and which initiatives are undertaken in this regard.

The influence of tourism on the climate

Before we look at how climate protection and tourism match, the influence of tourism must first be considered on the climate. According to a study published in 2018 in the specialist magazine "Nature Climate Change", global tourism contributes around 8% to global greenhouse gas emissions. These include emissions from transport, but also from the production and consumption of goods and services used by tourists.

Transport

Air travel is by far the largest source of CO2 emissions in the tourism sector. According to the Federal Environment Agency, the CO2 emissions of the aviation amount to around 2.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. But the private transport by car or train also contributes to climate change.

accommodation & meals

Hotels and other accommodations stand for a considerable amount of emissions, for example through energy consumption for lighting, heating and cooling, water requirements, food production and waste generation. Restaurants and other gastronomic facilities also contribute to this, especially through their energy requirements and the consumption of food.

sustainable tourism: a solution?

The recognizable effects of tourism on the climate have led to growing awareness of the need for sustainable tourism. But what does "sustainable tourism" mean?

What is sustainable tourism?

Sustainable tourism is a form of travel that aims to minimize the negative effects of tourism on the environment and local cultures by looking for a balance between environmental protection, social responsibility and economic profitability. It is about offering travel experiences that are advantageous for both travelers and the places visited.

How can tourism be designed more sustainably?

The challenge now is to find ways to put these principles into practice. There are different approaches that all aim to reduce the CO2 emissions of tourism and at the same time to maintain the economic and social advantages of tourism.

Transport: reduction of the CO2 footprint

An important aspect is the reduction in CO2 emissions of the transport. These include measures such as the promotion of public transport and bicycle rows, the use of electric vehicles and the incentives for travelers, less emission -intensive means of transport. Many airlines also offer the option of compensating for the CO2 emissions of the flight by buying CO2 compensations.

accommodation and meals: rely on sustainability

In the area of ​​accommodation and meals, there are now many innovations and initiatives to reduce ecological footprint. This includes, for example, the use of renewable energies, measures for energy efficiency, water and waste management, but also the use of regional and biological foods in restaurants.

create awareness and promote education

Another important aspect is the sensitization of travelers for environmental problems and climate change. This can be done through educational programs and information materials, but also by the integration of sustainability aspects in the travel experiences themselves.

conclusion

Climate protection and tourism do not have to be considered separately. In fact, they offer a unique opportunity for cooperation, because sustainable tourism can help to address the challenges of climate change and at the same time to promote the economic advantages and the cultural exchange associated with travel. By making conscious travel decisions and supporting the efforts of the industry to promote sustainability, we can contribute together to reduce the effects of tourism on the climate.