Global tourism emissions growing uncontrolled

12-12-24

Emissions from the tourism sector continue to rise unchecked, reaching alarming figures in recent years. According to a recent report, the environmental impact of global tourism has grown by 3.5% each year, reaching 5.2 gigatons of CO2 by 2023. This steady increase highlights the challenge the industry faces in transitioning to more sustainable practices. The increase in tourism emissions is directly related to the growth in travel demand, driven by the recovery from the pandemic and the expansion of tourist destinations.

The report reveals that air transport is the main contributor to these emissions, accounting for approximately 40% of the sector's total. Although airlines have taken some steps to reduce their carbon footprint, such as adding more efficient aircraft and implementing biofuels, progress has been insufficient to curb the overall increase in emissions.

In addition, tourism has begun to exceed expectations, with growth in demand for international travel continuing to be strong. Projections indicate that emissions could continue to rise without more ambitious and effective action.