Tourism pollution up

INEQUALITIES: JUST 20 COUNTRIES RESPONSIBLE FOR THREE-QUARTER OF EMISSIONS

- James Higham and Ya-Yen Sun

Surging global tourism emissions are driven almost entirely by 20 countries and efforts to rein in the trend aren't working. That is the main finding of our new research published in Nature Communications. It represents the most rigorous and comprehensive analysis of tourism emissions yet conducted.

The study draws together multiple datasets, including those published directly by 175 governments over 11 years (2009-2020). It uses the UN-endorsed "measurement of sustainable tourism" framework and draws on tourism expenditure and emissions intensity data from national accounts.

The findings reveal serious challenges ahead, given the wider context. The UN Environment Programme reports a 42% reduction in current global emissions overall is needed by 2030 (and 57% by 2035). If not, the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C will be lost.