H.E. Gloria Guevara Co-Founder The Sustainable Tourism Global Centre (STGC) Chief Special Advisor at Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia
Over the course of a week, industry leaders across the Travel & Tourism sector came together in London with the hope of creating a more sustainable future.
In its fifth year, London Climate Week brought together the collective talent and initiative of participants to find global common solutions to counteract climate change and preserve the planet for future generations. This event offered a great opportunity to come up with real and tangible solutions to counter the greatest crisis of our time.
It is vital we acknowledge the impact that the Travel & Tourism sector is having on the environment and commit to transforming it into a force for positive change.
Events such as London Climate Week act as important platforms for strategic discussion and collective thinking between leaders from around the world, to implement action which can – and must – move to a more sustainable future and take that important step towards net-zero.
Why is this so important? Travel & Tourism is responsible for roughly 8% of the world’s carbon emissions, so we bear a direct responsibility towards finding sustainable solutions for our sector. While Travel & Tourism brings people closer together, creates jobs, provides opportunities, and fosters cultural exchange, it has unfortunately also contributed to the current climate emergency.
That’s why we must take this, and every opportunity, to raise awareness, initiate meaningful conversations, work on solutions, and inspire the next generation to drive significant and lasting change.
Our world is facing numerous environmental challenges that are directly affecting climate, including deforestation, pollution, and biodiversity loss. The time for any complacency has passed. We need to work together to address these challenges now- and we must engage all those who have a stake in our future.
The next generation will play a key role in shaping our path forward. Yet, data shows that 73% of young people feel they have insufficient decision-making power and the correct tools to make an impact on climate change. The same percentage also say they are extremely worried about the state of our planet. A platform is needed for the younger generation to share their thoughts and ideas to the world, so their passion and creativity can be used to drive positive change in the Travel & Tourism sector.
We need to adopt a holistic and inclusive approach to tackle climate change from every perspective, including finding solutions to reduce emissions, reducing food waste, decreasing plastic usage, among the many other paths to push positive economic growth across the sector.
While large businesses and destinations are key, we cannot forget small businesses, which are the backbone of the world economy. The 400 million small businesses globally, which account for over 95% of firms and 60-70% of employment, will play a pivotal role in achieving sustainability.
In the UK alone, the country’s 5.5 million MSME’s account for 99% of all companies and contribute towards half of the UK economy. These businesses also account for 80% of the Travel & Tourism sector.
Engaging with them and leading by example to show how to operate sustainably is absolutely essential. Yet, most still lack access to practical and easy-to-use toolkits which outline ways to conduct sustainable practices.
That is where the Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC) steps in. It is the world’s first multi-country, multi-stakeholder global coalition which will lead, accelerate, and track the tourism industry’s transition to net-zero emissions, as well as drive action to protect nature and support communities.
Launched in October 2021 and based in Saudi Arabia, the STGC will work with Travel & Tourism MSMEs, among other key groups, to enable their transition to sustainability, by offering accessible knowledge, actionable toolkits, and innovative innovation, to facilitate this critical change.
The transition of businesses, large and small, to sustainable business models could open economic opportunities worth at least US$ 12 trillion and create up to 380 million jobs in the lead up to 2030 across sectors globally.
The STGC will share best practices and provide timely solutions for Travel & Tourism to proactively tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis. In its initial phase, the Center will invest in research and development, showcase clean technologies solutions, and promote circular economy principles to contribute to a greener and more prosperous world.
Our sector has a tremendous opportunity to drive innovation and foster collaboration to both inspire travelers and encourage stakeholders to embrace sustainable practices. And London Climate Week continues to be an incredible base for valuable discussion and catalyst for climate action; but as time is not on our side, the time for action is now.
It is our duty to ensure travel becomes a catalyst for positive change, benefiting business, communities, and the planet. That’s why STGC is prioritizing sustainability to ensure it is integrated into the very DNA of travel. Together, we just might make the change our future depends upon.
