There is a large global inequality in carbon emissions. Per capita emissions range from less than 1 metric tonne to more than 35 tonnes1 of CO2e with a global average of roughly 4.5 tonnes per capita2. Aligning the global community to the Paris Agreement requires the per capita average to drop at 2 tonnes by 20503. Affluence and carbon footprint go hand in hand. This is particularly true for the tourism and travel sector which remains highly income-elastic and carbon-intensive 4.
In a finite world, striking a balance between the use of resources and ensuring that basic social standards are met is the crux of development. In business, the same applies: how do we navigate the murky waters of growth without depleting everything else? The global economy, with its fair share of challenges, is ripe for circularity but with little to show for to date as highlighted by the latest Circularity Gap Report [1]. Circularity offers many opportunities for businesses both in processes and development with a basic approach that includes: using less, using longer, using cleaner and using again. The final frontier of circular economy would be to design products which components can be reused indefinitely without loss of quality, or being disposed without any damage for the natural environment.
You wonder what ecosystem services are and why it matters to the hospitality sector? Everyone is talking about net zero carbon but are they all talking about the same thing? You have heard of hotels engaging in more circularity, adopting nature-based solutions and implementing a carbon offsetting scheme, but what does this all mean?
From the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism [1] to the Net Zero Roadmap for Travel & Tourism [2], the industry is taking on the decarbonisation challenge and giving itself net zero toolboxes. We have officially entered the Decade of Decarbonisation.
From pledges to on-the-ground actions; the race to decarbonisation is on. This decade is also about restoring ecosystems which are vital to the global hospitality sector. Seasoned experts provide advice on proven and tested solutions and raise new ideas tackling both climate and biodiversity challenges.