The Climate Of Business #96: The CO2 of summer - holidays, travel and hospitality

Climate Change Reality

• Concerns over water quality have discouraged a quarter of UK bathers from taking the plunge (The Guardian)
• EU sends water bombers to combat Greece wildfires as temperature records tumble (CNBC)
• Food for thought: 6 ways we can cut the CO2 in our meals (Euronews)

• Residents lucky to be alive as wildfires rip through Tunisia, Algeria (Al Jazeera)
• Germany’s €49 ticket leads to 25% increase in low-carbon trips (Euronews)
• Scientists warn a vital system of ocean currents could collapse as soon as 2025 (CNBC)
• Extreme heat is a risk for 200 million people in urban areas and this figure is expected to reach 1.6 billion by 2050 (World Economic Forum)
• First new US nuclear reactor in three decades may be among the last (Financial Times)
• Heatwaves could change summer holidays for ever (BBC)
• ‘A hot tub’: Florida sees record water temperatures, raising alarm (Al Jazeera)

Business Climate Reality

• UK tycoon to launch hydrogen-electric airline that will serve plant-based food (CNBC)
• UK makes polluting cheaper by watering down carbon reforms (Financial Times)
• New North Sea oil and gas licences will send ‘wrecking ball’ through climate commitments (The Guardian)
• IKEA Becomes First Global Company to Halve Food Waste (World Research Institute)
• IEA says coal use hit an all-time high last year — and global demand will persist near record levels (CNBC)

• Big business lobbies against heat protections for workers as US boils (The Guardian)
• IKEA Becomes First Global Company to Halve Food Waste (World Research Institute)
• South America braced for economic hit from return of El Ni?o (Financial Times)
• What would green shipping look like? (BBC)
• Solar panels on water canals seem like a no-brainer. So why aren't they widespread? (Euronews)

Reality Check

Did you know that a week-long European family trip generates almost one ton of carbon emissions?

The carbon footprint of travel and hospitality peaks during the summer months as people from all over the globe go on holidays. The vast amount of emissions associated with these activities ultimately bolster the detrimental impact that climate change poses to humans, businesses and the planet.?

Accordingly, this weeks newsletter will highlight the vast volume of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) associated with summer activities such as travelling and hospitality, and the necessity to reduce these emissions immediately. Paving the way for a low carbon summer season ultimately requires a joint effort from all stakeholders of climate change - meaning that decision-makers at an individual, industry and governmental level must take charge in shaping a more sustainable future.?

Visualising the carbon footprint of summer

While tourism is estimated to be responsible for about 8% of carbon emissions globally, 71% of Europeans expected to take a summer holiday this year. Subsequently, the carbon bill is growing significantly faster than the planet can absorb. To put the carbon impact of holidays into perspective; a group of four taking a holiday from Paris to Barcelona, and staying there a week as tourists, sees almost 900 kg of greenhouse gases being emitted. Meanwhile, it would take one whole year - and 4,000 m2 of forest - to absorb the carbon emissions of this group’s vacation.?

As the number of people who can afford to travel increases, so will the environmental footprint of tourism. The impact of holidays and travel upon global CO2 emissions is attributed to a number of activities, such as:

1. Transportation: Given that the fundamental component of going on holiday is travelling from one destination to another; vacationers leave a hefty carbon footprint in their use of various transportation modes - such as planes, cars, trains, buses and boats. The detrimental environmental impact of transportation is highlighted by research that estimates up to three-quarters of total tourism emissions are attributed to transport. Whilst new technologies like electric cars are helping to reduce emissions, aviation still accounts for an immense share of the carbon emissions associated with travelling. Whilst aviation accounts for around 2.1% of global CO2 emissions, this share is likely set to rise as other industries decarbonise more quickly.
2. Lodging: Hotels, resorts and other other accommodation providers utilise cast amounts of waste, water and energy (hearing, cooling and lighting) in order to accommodate guests. Whilst a number of hotels have taken action to undergo decarbonisation through actions such as switching to renewable energy, or reducing waste; many still have a long way to go.?
3. Hospitality: While dining out is a fundamental component of any summer holiday; the production and transportation of food contributes to a vast volume of carbon emissions - accounting for 10% of the emissions generated by the global tourism industry. Locally sourced and plant-based foods are a key alternative that any traveller can opt for to reduce their carbon footprint.?
4. Activities: Whilst yet again another key component of the summer travel experience; widely popular tourist activities such as theme parks, tours and museums consume vast amounts of energy and generate waste - accounting for 6% of the emissions generated by the global tourism industry. Accordingly, low-impact activities such as hiking and biking can help reduce the carbon footprint of travelling.?

The key requirements to shaping a low-carbon summer season

So what can we do to reduce this footprint?

Individual level:

Individuals can take a number of measures to reduce the overall carbon footprint associated with holidays, such as:?

• Choosing holiday destinations that are closer to home or accessible by train or bus instead of flying is key to reducing the vast volume of carbon emissions associated with transportation, and more specifically, aviation.?
• Opting for public transportation, walking or biking rather than renting a car or taking a taxi.
• Choosing eco-friendly accommodation providers; such as those that use renewable energy sources, or publicly communicate their commitment to sustainable practices.
• Holiday goers that prioritise low-impact activities like hiking and biking are of fundamental value to the sustainable transformation of tourism.?
• Lastly, holiday-goers that choose to eat locally sourced and plant-based foods where possible to reduce the distribution and transportation costs associated with hospitality.?

Industry level:

Simultaneously, there are a number of critical steps that tourism, transport and hospitality oriented businesses can take to reduce the carbon impact of the holiday season. For example:

• Use energy-efficient lighting: Businesses that use energy-efficient lighting such as LED bulbs, CFL or T5 fluorescent can save up to 75% of energy compared to traditional incandescent bulbs play a key role in reducing the overall impact of summer tourism. Meanwhile - according to the US Department of Energy - businesses can save up to $0.06 per square foot per year by using energy-efficient lighting.
• Optimise heating and cooling systems: Optimising heating and cooling systems with programmable thermostats, clean filters, and energy-efficient HVAC systems can save energy and thus reduce the overall carbon impact of summer holidays, travel and hospitality. A well-maintained HVAC system can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%, whilst individuals who lower their thermostat by just 1°C can save around 7% of their heating energy or €50-70 per year.
• Implement energy-efficient policies: Developing and implementing an organisation-wide code of conduct is key to paving the way towards a low-carbon summer season. Businesses across such industries that reduce their room temperature by even 1°C can reduce their energy cost by 8% as they avoid energy wastage and over-consumption.?
• Utilise carbon-management technology: Businesses across the tourism industry that utilise technologies such as Plan A’s decarbonisation platform play a vital role in creating a low-impact tourist economy. Sustainability software not only allows businesses to reduce their energy consumption and costs, but also receive expert advice, analysis and best practices regarding sustainability, decarbonisation and ESG reporting specific to the business’ operations and budget. In doing so, businesses will realise the immense financial and non-financial benefits of sustainability whilst ensuring the longevity of summer tourism.?

As increasing temperatures cause droughts and rising sea levels pose a threat to low-lying areas, addressing climate change is ever-so vital to ensuring that all stakeholders of climate change can enjoy the summer season to its full extent for years to come. Meanwhile, given the vast carbon footprint of the global tourism industry, individuals and businesses must take action immediately to pave the way towards a sustainable summer season, and a greener world.

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