There has been a surge in global tourism emissions, which are driven almost entirely by 20 countries.
This is according to a new study published in Nature Communications, which is the most comprehensive and rigorous analysis of tourism-related emissions to date.
Following the post-pandemic tourism rebound, global travel is expected to exceed 20 billion trips again this year, further contributing to rising emissions.
The study uses the United Nations-endorsed “Measurement of Sustainable Tourism” framework and analyses data from national accounts, including tourism expenditure and emissions intensity.
The team studied the national carbon footprints of 175 countries, looking at data from multiple sources, including government-published reports. The analysis covers emissions from inbound, outbound, and domestic travel, considering factors such as local business contributions, international flights, and private vehicle use.
Twenty countries account for three-quarters of global tourism emissions, with wealthy nations, unsurprisingly, having higher per-capita emissions from outbound tourism. The biggest drivers of rising emissions, however, are domestic travel within three countries: the United States, China, and India. Emissions from accommodation were also examined, revealing that resorts and hotels with modern services tend to have the highest emissions. In contrast, smaller lodgings like homestays and guesthouses typically generate lower emissions. The amount of money spent on accommodation, gastronomy and transport has also constantly increased over time.
This surge in tourism emissions is concerning, especially in light of broader environmental goals. The United Nations Environment Programme reports that global emissions need to be reduced by 42 per cent by 2030, and by 57 per cent by 2035. Yet tourism emissions have been growing at double the rate of the global economy. Between 2009 and 2019, emissions from tourism rose by 40 per cent, from 3.7 gigatonnes, or 7.3 per cent of global emissions, to 5.2 gigatonnes, or 8.8 per cent. The emissions are not distributed equally. In 2019, tourists from the United States accounted for 19 per cent of global tourism emissions, while China and India contributed 15 per cent and 6 per cent, respectively. Together, these three countries produced nearly 40 per cent of the global tourism footprint.
The top 20 highest-emitting countries, largely developed nations with large populations, are responsible for three-quarters of global tourism emissions. This highlights a stark inequality: the per-capita tourism emissions of wealthy nations are far higher than those of poorer countries, where outbound travel is minimal. For perspective, the emissions from a one-way flight from London to New York City are equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions of an average person in Zimbabwe.
As global tourism continues to expand, finding sustainable solutions to these growing emissions becomes ever more urgent.