Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Sustainable Tourism
Photo by Giuseppe Mondi
Climate change represents one of the most pressing global environmental and developmental challenges of our time. As prominent tourism destinations have increasingly seen the impacts of climate change on their beaches, forests and other natural assets, the tourism industry has felt the pressure to take control of its sizable environmental footprint, and specifically, its carbon emissions.
Luckily, there are a number of mitigation strategies that can be used to address tourism’s impact on climate change, many of which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Some examples of mitigation strategies include:
Using renewable energy sources in various tourism operations
Adapting to energy efficiency travel
Reducing the use of single-use plastics in tourism
Promoting sustainable transportation options for tourists
Let's dive into ways that you, as a tourism business, can incorporate into your practices and brand values.
Conservation and protection of natural resources
Conservation is as simple as consuming less energy, water or waste. By taking part in the responsible management of natural resources and reducing or upcycling waste, you can show guests that you are serious about your commitment to mitigating some of your environmental footprint, all while protecting your local ecosystem and lowering your costs from your energy or water bill.
Community engagement and empowerment
Tourism is a cross-sectoral industry that thrives on community engagement and participation, making it equally important for travel companies, tourists, and local residents to be involved in tourism development. By involving local community members in tourism planning and supply chains will ensure that development strikes a balance for mutually beneficial outcomes. This can be done by promoting cultural heritage, supporting local businesses, operating in step with local values, respecting the traditions of indigenous communities, and avoiding harm to ecosystems that locals rely on for income and livelihoods.
A good example is the farm to table concept. Applying the principles around “home grown” produce and short supply chains, farms and destinations can offer more nature-based experiences as a way for visitors to learn about sustainable farming practices, witness the cultivation process firsthand, and taste freshly harvested produce.
These immersive experiences not only educate tourists about sustainable agriculture and food production, they also support local farmers and chefs. Farm to table tours also let tourists get a look into different types of sustainable practices such as hydroponics and vertical farming.
Sustainable transportation
Transportation plays a large role in tourism’s carbon footprint. The burning of fossil fuels in vehicles, marine vessels, and especially airplanes, releases greenhouse gases emitting a sizable amount of carbon emissions depending on the place of departure and end destination.
As a result, reducing the environmental impact of transportation and promoting sustainable transportation options (like cycling, public transportation, car pooling, and easy ride sharing) is crucial in addressing your tourism business’ or resorts’ carbon emissions. You can also introduce cleaner and more sustainable fuels, such as biofuels and hydrogen to replace fossil fuels and greener travel options: electric vehicles. Low or zero carbon means of transport, i.e. walking, cycling, and other forms of active transportation, can also be an option for shorter distances, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advocating for healthy lifestyles.
Education and awareness
It is important to raise awareness among tourists, industry professionals, and local communities about what you are doing for sustainable tourism. You can focus on encouraging responsible travel behaviors, such as minimizing waste, preventing littering, respecting local cultures, and supporting environmentally and socially responsible businesses. By doing so, sustainable tourism can become ingrained into your business practices and brand identity, creating a positive cycle of responsible tourism practices further contributing to the long-term preservation of your destinations and local resources.
Destination planning and management
If you’re looking to build or start your tourism business from scratch, develop and implement sustainable management plans that consider the destination’s carrying capacity, zoning regulations, and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage, striving for a balance between economic growth and environmental protection. Clear goals and objectives should be established to guide development in a way that promotes economic growth, environmental preservation, community development, and visitor satisfaction.
Effective destination planning and management ensure the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of tourism destinations, which will also make your business more attractive to guests.
Monitoring and evaluation
Businesses in the tourism sector should regularly monitor and evaluate their environmental impact including carbon emissions and waste flows in line with milestones (Key performance indicators, KPIs) that aim to achieve tangible, yet ambitious goals. Monitoring and evaluation provides a means of measuring and tracking your business performance, additionally identifying areas for improvement and growth.
Though this may seem like a big step, look into your local government’s sustainability initiatives, green support programs or tax deductions schemes for information on the support mechanisms that can help fund your green transition.
Parting Thoughts
Tourism has the potential to both contribute and mitigate the impacts of climate change. In doing so, it is crucial that the industry acknowledges the seriousness of this issue and adopts a mindful approach.
While it has the power to shape economies, cultures, and landscapes, it also has the potential to exert significant pressure on the environment. The carbon emissions from transportation, the energy-intensive operations of hotels, and the strain on natural resources all contribute to the carbon footprint of the tourism industry.
However, it is within our reach to transform tourism into a force for positive change. By embracing sustainable tourism practices, we can minimize the industry's impact on climate change and create a pathway towards a more sustainable future.
This will require a collective effort from all stakeholders involved – governments, tourism organizations, businesses, and travelers themselves. We must prioritize renewable energy sources, reduce carbon emissions from transportation, promote sustainable accommodation options, and engage in responsible and respectful tourism practices.
Let us be mindful of the choices we make as tourists and as members of the tourism industry. By supporting environmentally conscious businesses, respecting local communities and cultures, and seeking out authentic and sustainable experiences, we can contribute to a more sustainable tourism sector.
Sea Going Green is a sustainable tourism consultancy specialized in alleviating the negative impacts that tourism is having on the environment.