“Our Generation’s Defining Moral Challenge” 2007

Bali Participants Opt Not “To Rob Our Children Of Their Future”

It took tears, threats, boos, histrionics, moral and political blackmail. More like a marathon pantomime than a reasoned debate, the Bali Climate Change Summit finally reached agreement in extra time.

The agreement (or “road map”), now derided by the Green lobbies and questioned by President Bush, actually poses more questions than it provides answers. Said one interested party “A road map is little good when the destination and the route are still in question”. Nonetheless, finally the USA reacted to the boos and jeering and the 180 nations – unanimously (except for Burma) – at least agreed an acceptable form of words to lead on to the next stage.

The nations of the world have now agreed to negotiate for two years to provide a replacement treaty for Kyoto. The new treaty is to be agreed in Copenhagen in December 2009.

No firm targets have yet been agreed but this is the first time that both industrialised and developing countries have jointly signed an undertaking to act together to control their emissions.

The roadmap also includes steps towards a unique groundbreaking deal under which developing countries could be compensated by the richer world for maintaining their “Earth Lungs” and financially assisted in their efforts to cut carbon emissions.

Although aviation emissions are specifically excluded from Kyoto it is very likely that they, and tourism in general, will come into sharper focus in the run-up to Copenhagen.

Valere Tjolle

Resources:

How the world sees us…

” Al Gore from Bali…(A MUST-SEE 10 MINUTES)

Full text of Ban Ki-Moon opening address…

“The outcomes of the climate change conference in Bali will impact travel & tourism, its energy usage and emission reduction efforts, in the same revolutionary way that the Internet impacted the distribution of travel & tourism products and services.” Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor, Travel Impact Newswire.

“The Travel Foundation is pleased to see more international Governmental commitment to reducing CO2 emissions, since global cooperation is the only way to tackle this issue comprehensively. But we must not be tempted to sit back now that it looks as though the world’s leaders are on the case. There is much for all of us to do if we are to secure our collective future.

For its part, the travel industry must make every effort to reduce its carbon consumption on the ground. Schemes introduced by the industry, like Reduce My Footprint, supported by ABTA, AITO & the Travel Foundation are designed to help companies do exactly that and then offset only what cannot be reduced. There are plenty of very simple things organisations and individuals can do – like switching off lights, computers & air conditioning when not in use – which will in turn save us money – so it’s not all bad news!” Sue Hurdle – the Travel Foundatiobn

“It is great to see awareness growing so quickly about the challenge facing the world. It is also pleasing to see the travel industry responding to the challenge with bodies such as the UNWTO and PATA calling for action. It will however be a long hard haul getting the travelling public and the travel service providers on board in a meaningful way I fear.

I am not too concerned about progress that will be made in energy efficient hotel design etc. as these innovations will come from market incentives already in place now through the Kyoto protocols. My main concern is that we, the public, have become used to convenience and speed in all we do. With crowded lives and instant gratification the norm, we have readily embraced the idea of the 2-3 day holiday in some remote destination…..and will be reluctant to give it up. No-one doubts the benefits tourism can bring in the world, however I am reminded of the saying “Tourism is like fire……you can cook your dinner on it but if you are not careful it will burn your house down”. The main message has to be travel less and stay longer. Short breaks will have to be taken closer to home and with minimal travel.

I guess the key thing for the industry now is to work closely with government to design incentives for this (inevitable) change to happen. If the policy framework is right, travellers will start to demand new product to suit. Leaders in the travel industry will respond and those unable or unwilling to do so will wither and die.” Len Cordimer, World Hotel Link.

“Aviation is excluded from the Kyoto protocol – which means it’s easy for the UK to say its making god progress in CO2 reductions without tackling our growing aviation problem. It’s too early to know whether aviation might be included in any new agreement – which needs to be in place by 2009 – but the debate will certainly heat up further around aviation next year.

I guess one thing that came out strongly was around incentives to stop de-forestation, where tourism I think has a role to play. “ Justin Francis, Responsible Travel.com