Latest news with #DanielScott
Skift
4 days ago
- Business
- Skift
Tourism's Climate Promises Span 20 Years — With Few Results, Study Finds
Despite two decades of climate pledges, tourism emissions are still rising and many commitments remain unfulfilled. UN Tourism says it's time to focus on the future, but real credibility will depend on whether the next wave of promises leads to measurable change. Despite decades of climate pledges, hardly any of them have led to change or a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new study by researchers at Linnaeus University in Sweden and the University of Waterloo in Canada. The paper, by Stefan Gössling and Daniel Scott, looked at the four main international climate declarations signed by governments, tourism bodies, and businesses going back to 2003. The researchers argued that emissions from tourism are still rising, and the sector is not on track to cut them by half by 2030, as many groups have pledged. 'The tourism sector's response to climate change over the last two decades, has been insufficient,' the study said. The most recent estimates of tourism's contributions to greenhouse gas emissions are around 9%, making it one of the biggest polluting sectors. 'It has taken 20 years just to build basic systems to measure emissions,' the authors said. 'In another 20 years, the sector is expected to be close to net zero. That's a vastly more complex and costly goal.' Gössling recently told Skift that while the tourism sector is one of the most exposed to the impacts of climate change, it could become a leader. 'We need systemic change, yes. But we also need pioneers. And tourism, ironically one of the sectors most exposed - can become a leader.' A Long List of Tourism Climate Declarations Many of the agreements the researchers reviewed were led or coordinated by UN Tourism, then known as the UN World Tourism Organization. The Djerba Declaration, 2003: It warned of rising heat in Europe and a shift in peak travel seasons. It emphasized planning and knowledge-sharing and 45 countries signed on. The Davos Declaration, 2007: It estimated that tourism contributed 5% of direct global greenhouse gas emissions and pledged a system for emissions monitoring. But no tracking system was created and no emission targets were set. The Glasgow Declaration, 2021: This declaration was driven by travel businesses and organizations. It was signed at the UN climate talks in 2021 in Scotland by over 900 organizations, including Booking Holdings, Expedia, and Accor. No major airlines signed on. The study noted that despite strong pledges, fewer than 30% of signatories had submitted a climate action plan by late 2024. UN Tourism said the Glasgow Declaration was still an important step forward because, for the first time, it included a monitoring framework. 'We are working on the first progress report which should be out in the next few months,' said Virginia Fernandez, programme coordinator at UN Tourism. Baku Declaration, 2024: 69 countries and nine non-state actors signed a declaration at the UN climate talks in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, once again emphasizing tourism's climate vulnerability and the need for urgent action. Countries that signed include Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Spain, Israel, Portugal, Russia and Kenya. But Gössling and Scott criticized the language for being too vague. Phrases like 'where applicable' and 'where relevant' led the study's authors to question how serious the industry is about acting. Fernandez said the Baku Declaration was different from past agreements because it was signed not just by tourism ministries, but by entire governments. 'This is the most significant agreement in travel and tourism to date,' she said. A New Global Partnership? One of the most promising outcomes of the Baku Declaration could be the launch of a new global coordination group for climate action in tourism, to be led by UN Tourism, the study authors said. But so far, no timeline or structure has been announced. UN Tourism told Skift the planning is ongoing and confirmed it will take the lead on the partnership. It acknowledged that the tourism sector needs alignment on climate goals and that the agency was best placed to take on this role. 'We can say UN Tourism will lead on this and make the decisions and tell people what to do. That would be quicker,' Fernandez said. 'But will it be more effective if we have a variety of stakeholders at the table - such as businesses, non-state actors, governments, tourism bodies. That way any agreements will be collective ones and I think that will be more effective in the long run.' Skift's in-depth reporting on climate issues is made possible through the financial support of Intrepid Travel. This backing allows Skift to bring you high-quality journalism on one of the most important topics facing our planet today. Intrepid is not involved in any decisions made by Skift's editorial team.
West Australian
14-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Karratha Airport takes off as WA's top waterwise business
Karratha Airport has been named WA's top waterwise business after implementing several water-saving initiatives that have helped halve water usage over the past 12-months. Operated by the City of Karratha, the airport received top honours at a special ceremony on May 7, celebrating participants in Water Corporation's Waterwise Business Program. The airport was recognised for its upgrade to water distribution networks, as well as increased use of recycled water for irrigation, flushing toilets and wash-down bays. Digital water meters have also been piloted to deliver real-time usage data and help easily identify leaks. Joining Karratha Airport on the winners' podium was The Landing Resort in Port Hedland, which earned a gold waterwise award. 'How fantastic to see Karratha Airport and The Landing Resort in Port Hedland flying the flag for waterwise businesses in the Pilbara,' member for Pilbara Kevin Michel said. 'Across the region, we know traditional surface and groundwater sources are under pressure due to lower, less consistent rainfall. 'Desalination is likely to play a greater role in our future water supply mix, however, it does not replace the need to be waterwise.' City of Karratha mayor Daniel Scott said the award was a major achievement for the City. 'Last financial year alone, we halved the potable water use at the Karratha Airport and this year will be upgrading our Water Resource Recovery Plant to further boost our water efficiency,' he said.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
More public parking opens up in Old Town just in time for summer
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — More than a hundred additional parking spaces will be made available in San Diego's historic Old Town neighborhood to accommodate the anticipated summertime rush. In partnership with an organization called Hongos Coastal, the Harold J. Ballard Parent Center, which is operated by the San Diego Unified School District's Family Engagement Department, will open up 160 parking spaces on the property. Grand jury rips into San Diego's metered parking program Starting this Saturday, the spaces will be open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to a statement from the district. 'This collaboration is about community,' said Daniel Scott, co-founder of Hongos Coastal. 'We're proud to support both local access and educational resources.' People will need to pay for parking at the lot using a mobile app. The district will receive 80% of the funds raised and Hongos Coastal will receive the remaining 20% and reimburse SDUSD for custodial costs. The funds raised will go toward more services for the families/caregivers of the students within the district, as well as providing more educational opportunities, supplies and additional resources to improve students' literacy, math and social-emotional wellness, according to the district. The center currently serves as a meeting place for SDUSD's parent groups, such as the District Advisory Council, Down Syndrome Support Group, Autism Parent Network and District English Learners Advisory Council. It also houses the district's DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and Title VII Indian Education offices. The Ballard Parent Center is located at 2375 Congress St. in Old Town. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
