19 February 2009

WTTC sets 50% carbon emissions reduction target

LONDON - The World Travel & Tourism Council is calling on the industry to halve carbon emissions by 2035 over 2005 levels.

The forum of business leaders issued a ten point action plan as part of a report 'Leading the Challenge on Climate Change' launched at Clarence House in London under the patronage of the Prince of Wales.

The next step includes the development of a web portal to promote information on reducing carbon emissions and share best practice examples already initiated.

WTTC plans to use the web portal and the report to inform commercial and public policy-makers.

The report also defines an interim Ã¢â¬ËœaspirationalÃ¢â¬â¢ target of a carbon emission cut of 30% by 2020 in the presence of an international agreement, or a 25% reduction by the same year in the absence of such an agreement.

Further action points include accountability and responsibility; local community growth and capacity building; educating customers and stakeholders; the greening of supply chains; innovation, capital investment and infrastructure within the industry.

WTTC president and CEO Jean-Claude Baumgarten said: "This report represents a collective effort and is a joint message for the travel and tourism industry.

"The publication and wide dissemination of this report reflects WTTC's commitment to the critical issue of climate change.

"But, even more importantly, it demonstrates that our members - all travel and tourism leaders - have taken a significant step towards ensuring that the progressive voice of the industry joins that of other influential constituents of the global business community, in order to help ensure that the challenge of climate change is rapidly addressed."

Dr Aled Jones, deputy director of University of Cambridge programme for sustainability leadership, added: "Achieving an international climate policy under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is vital to set out the vision for tackling climate change.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœBusiness can then gain confidence to implement bold actions such as those outlined in this report and play their part in delivering a low climate risk economy."

by Phil Davies