Approximately 65 billion dollars must be allocated yearly to safeguard coastal and marine tourism industries from the devastating impacts of climate crisis.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has released a groundbreaking report emphasising the urgent need for climate change mitigation and adaptation in coastal and marine tourism destinations, which are among the most vulnerable to climate impacts.
The report, titled **Climate and Ocean**, focuses on the financial requirements for the Travel & Tourism sector in these areas, estimating a need between $120 billion and $259 billion to effectively address climate change impacts and protect these environments.
Coastal destinations worldwide, especially those in vulnerable regions, face mounting threats from climate change, including rising sea levels, extreme weather, and coastal erosion. These challenges are exacerbated in small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Pacific coastal areas, where rising climate-related displacement and economic losses pose urgent challenges.
The report and associated WTTC initiatives propose several strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect coastal and marine tourism destinations. These include financing urgent mitigation and adaptation measures, promoting sustainability and nature-positive actions, adopting sustainable fuels and frameworks, implementing climate-resilient practices and infrastructure, encouraging circular economy approaches and reducing pollution, and science-based and community-inclusive solutions.
Successful climate solutions, such as Visit Scotland's investment in renewable energy and low-carbon infrastructure, and the Mangrove Action Project in Thailand, are highlighted in the report. Coastal and marine tourism directly contributed 0.8% of global GHG emissions in 2023, equating to 390 million tonnes of CO2.
Loreley Picourt, Executive Director of the Ocean and Climate Platform, states that the findings were developed in support of the Coastal Tourism Breakthrough, one of the five pillars of the Ocean Breakthroughs. Julia Simpson, President & CEO of WTTC, stated that coastal and marine tourism is a lifeline for millions globally, but it's on the frontline of climate change.
Gloria Fluxa, Vice-Chairman and Chief Sustainability Officer for Iberostar Group, calls for governments, development organizations, and Travel & Tourism businesses to act now to safeguard coastal tourism. The Coastal Tourism Breakthrough offers a clear roadmap to cut emissions by up to 35%.
Protecting coastal and marine life is a social imperative, not just an environmental necessity. With dedicated investment in mitigation and adaptation, these unique regions can continue to thrive economically while preserving their natural beauty for future generations.
The report was developed to support the Coastal Tourism Breakthrough under the leadership of the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action. The Marrakech Partnership has been instrumental in bringing civil society together to drive ambition towards achieving the Paris Agreement's objectives.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) called for urgent climate investment in coastal and marine tourism at Ocean Action Day during COP29 in Baku. To read the report in full, please visit WTTC Research Hub.
- The financial requirements for addressing climate change impacts in coastal and marine tourism destinations, as detailed in the WTTC's report titled 'Climate and Ocean', span between $120 billion and $259 billion.
- Coastal destinations, particularly those in vulnerable regions, face escalating threats from climate change, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather, and coastal erosion.
- Loreley Picourt, Executive Director of the Ocean and Climate Platform, supports the Coastal Tourism Breakthrough, one of the five pillars of the Ocean Breakthroughs, which aims to cut emissions by up to 35%.
- Julia Simpson, President & CEO of WTTC, emphasized that coastal and marine tourism is a lifeline for millions globally, yet it's one of the areas most affected by climate change.
- Protecting coastal and marine life is not only essential for the environment but also for future generations' economies, as these unique regions can continue to thrive while preserving their natural beauty with dedicated investment in mitigation and adaptation.
- The Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, instrumental in bringing civil society together to drive climate action, has been supporting the development of the Coastal Tourism Breakthrough.
- The WTTC called for immediate climate investment in coastal and marine tourism during Ocean Action Day at COP29 in Baku, urging governments, development organizations, and Travel & Tourism businesses to act now to safeguard coastal tourism.
- Successful climate solutions, such as Visit Scotland's investment in renewable energy and low-carbon infrastructure, and the Mangrove Action Project in Thailand, provide examples of how sectors can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting coastal and marine environments.
