WORLDWIDE: Preferred Travel Group has become a signatory of The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.
This means the group is helping to align the sector with global commitments and will help to find solutions to the challenges facing businesses and destinations globally.
The Glasgow Declaration encourages commitments to reduce emissions in tourism by at least 50 per cent by 2030 and to achieve Net Zero as soon as possible before 2050.
The Declaration was officially launched at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November 2021.
As a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, Preferred Travel Group commits to develop and deliver a climate action plan by September this year.
The plan will align with the five pathways of the Declaration (measure, decarbonise, regenerate, collaborate, finance), report publicly on an annual basis, and work in a collaborative spirit, sharing good practices and solutions, and disseminating information.
Nina Boys, vice president of sustainability for Preferred Travel Group said: “As a travel industry leader committed to addressing climate change, Preferred Travel Group believes in action and impact.Through collaborative partnerships and company-wide initiatives, we will accelerate our sustainability goals by establishing a corporate climate action plan by September 2023, guided by the five pathways of the Declaration. We are proud to join this inspiring network of global travel and tourism organisations to address climate change now to protect our planet for future generations.”
The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism brings together the latest research and global expertise to galvanise climate action. It is hosted within the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Program’s website, supported by Recommended Actions for tourism stakeholders across the world to consider as part of their action planning, alongside other resources.
The declaration states: “A just transition to Net Zero before 2050 will only be possible if tourism’s recovery accelerates the adoption of sustainable consumption and production, and redefines our future success to consider not only economic value but rather the regeneration of ecosystems, biodiversity and communities.”
Research into CO2 emissions carried out by UNWTO/ITF and released in December 2019 showed that transport-related emissions from tourism were forecast to increase by 25 per cent by 2030 from 2016 levels.
Accor recently committed to Net Zero emissions by 2050.