Travel and tourism uniquely offer freedom and luxury, as evidenced by the right to free movement enshrined in various human rights instruments. Globalization has sparked widespread interest in exploring distant places, but eco-consciousness has long been overlooked. As the climate crisis becomes more prominent in decision-making, the industry's environmental impact has come under scrutiny, highlighting an issue with potential solutions.
Zero-carbon travel is an ambitious yet crucial goal in the fight against climate change. Achieving it requires a complete overhaul of current travel and tourism infrastructure, demanding cooperation and innovation across all sectors. However, this goal poses particular challenges for developing economies that heavily rely on tourism revenue. Collaboration among governments, businesses, and travelers is essential, but developing regions such as Africa, Asia, and South America face an uneven playing field in terms of equal participation.
The 2024 edition of the Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI), a flagship index of the World Economic Forum since 2007, highlights a resurgence in the travel and tourism sectors, promising for future projections despite the COVID-19 pandemic's impact. The report notes that "71 of the 119 TTDI-ranked economies increased their scores between the 2019 and 2024 editions, with the average index score just 0.7 percent above pre-pandemic levels." Notably, low to upper-middle-income economies accounted for 52 of these improvements. Despite the World Travel and Tourism Council reporting that the sector contributed USD 182.4 billion to Africa's GDP in 2019, the continent continues to lag.
Of the top 30 countries ranked in the TTDI, 26 are high-income, 19 are in Europe, seven in Asia-Pacific, three in the Americas, and one in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Therefore, achieving zero-carbon travel cannot solely focus on profitability without contextual considerations. The TTDI global average stands at 3.96 points, yet the top ten countriesled by the United States (5.24), Spain (5.18), and Japan (5.09)exceed this significantly, with tenth-placed Switzerland scoring 4.81. Given Africa's potential driven by its youth population, sustainable development goals and economic prosperity must consider the role of the travel and tourism sector.
Achieving zero-carbon travel requires a multifaceted approach, including technological advancements, changes in consumer behavior, and supportive policies. However, this transition faces significant challenges. Firstly, current transportation technology, particularly in aviation and maritime travel, relies heavily on fossil fuels. While there are promising developments in electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, widespread adoption is still years away, and the necessary infrastructure is underdeveloped, especially in less affluent regions. Secondly, developing economies in Africa, Asia, and South America often depend on tourism for economic stability. Imposing strict zero-carbon travel requirements without adequate support could stifle their growth. These regions typically lack the financial and technological resources to quickly transition to zero-carbon alternatives. Thirdly, effective implementation of zero-carbon travel policies requires global coordination, setting international standards, and providing financial assistance to developing nations to avoid fragmented results.
Focusing on Africa, various localized solutions address the specific geopolitical barriers. A scholarly article, "Achieving Carbon Neutrality in Africa is Possible: The Impact of Education, Employment, and Renewable Energy Consumption on Carbon Emissions," led by Chinyere Ori Elom, Robert Ugochukwu Onyeneke, and Daniel Adu Ankrah, posits that investments in education, renewable energy, and employment are key to mitigating carbon emissions in Africa. While nations like Botswana aim to become knowledge-based economies, they partially sidestep the authors' assertion that "economic growth influences carbon emissions through industrialization." However, economic diversification and innovation are vital tools toward carbon neutrality.
While the long-term goal is zero-carbon travel, individuals can take immediate steps to reduce their travel-related carbon footprint. Practical alternatives include opting for longer stays, traveling locally, and being more eco-conscious. By staying longer at destinations, travelers can reduce the frequency of flights and other long-distance travel, lessening the environmental impact and allowing for deeper engagement with local cultures. Opting for nearby vacations reduces air travel and supports local economies, as promoted by the South African Tourism Board's "Shot Left" campaign. Choosing trains, buses, or carpooling over flying and selecting sustainable hotels and lodgings also help reduce the carbon footprint.
Climate change, evidenced by longer seasons and unprecedented temperatures, is no longer a myth. The shifts in the planet's behavior cannot be attributed to one sector or region. However, the intelligence now available allows those in the industry to adjust rules and regulations to avoid mass destruction. While developing regions bear the weight of inequality, all parties must answer the call to advance toward zero-carbon travel.
