Tourism businesses must act on global warming

According to TTF Australia (Tourism & Transport Forum) Managing Director Christopher Brown, speaking at the TTF’s inaugural National Tourism and Transport Climate Change Summit in Sydney yesterday along with other high-profile speakers including the Hon Fran Bailey MP and Federal Minister for Tourism, Peter Garrett AM MP, Don Henry, Brett Godfrey and Sir Rod Eddington, tourism businesses have invest in and adopt new technologies to help address global warming.

He said that Australia’s tourism industry faces significant challenges with climate change, requiring urgent action from both businesses and government, adding, “The tourism industry is caught in a pincer movement , between the impact of climate change on our natural tourism assets one hand, and changing travel patterns on the other.”

“We are already starting to see the impact on consumer travel behaviour with recent international market research conducted across 21 countries showing two thirds of people surveyed were concerned about climate change.”

“This concern was manifested in changing travel intentions, with 28% indicating they had already changed their travel plans because of climate change concern.”

“In the meantime, the findings of the Stern Report clearly show the impact of climatic changes on our natural resources – which are the foundations of our tourism sector.”

“A 1C rise in global temperatures would reduce snow cover by 60%, while a 2-3C rise would lead to coral bleaching on 97% of the Great Barrier Reef, and cause 80% of the Kakadu wetlands to disappear.”

“Australia has a lot at risk, and we cannot afford to ignore this critical issue any longer.”

Mr Brown also said there were a number of key areas Australia’s tourism industry would focus on in coming months, including:

** Evaluating the impact of climate change on Australia’s tourism industry, including the vulnerability of tourism destinations and environmental assets;

** Quantifying the carbon footprint of Australia’s tourism industry, beyond aviation and transport;

** Investigating the impact of climate change policy on the sector, including the introduction of an emissions trading scheme;

** Researching the changes in consumer travel preferences and behaviour and the development of response; and

** Developing and implementing a joint Government and industry response to ensure the appropriate mitigation and adaptation schemes are introduced by the sector.

Mr Brown said, “Australia’s tourism industry has a lot at stake and the industry needs to implement sustainable ways of conducting business to minimize the impact on the environment,” adding there was also a pressing need to provide the facts on the environmental impacts of flying.

“We are starting to see hysteria in the UK and Europe about the carbon emissions from air travel, based on misinformation aimed to build jet-guilt in the community.”

“Aviation emissions, while fast growing, are relatively small compared to other sectors, accounting for around 3% of greenhouse gasses.”

“It is critical for airlines to invest in and adopt new technologies as well as provide carbon offset schemes for passengers and Virgin Blue in already showing leadership.”

“We need a balanced debate and ensure mitigation policies implemented by governments are equitable to all sectors, including aviation.”

The Summit was sponsored by Virgin Blue and Sinclair Knight Merz, and supported by the Australian Conservation Foundation and InterContinental Hotels Group.

Report by The Mole from the National Tourism and Transport Climate Change Summit