Travel and tourism uniquely contribute to providing freedom and luxury. The enshrinement of the right to free movement in various human rights instruments attests to this. However, with globalisation, increased knowledge about the world has piqued many people’s interests in exploring distant places. Yet, eco-consciousness has long been absent from this conversation. As the climate crisis gains more prominence in decision-making forums, the industry’s contributions to the problem have also garnered scrutiny, highlighting an issue that still has potential solutions.
Zero-carbon travel represents an ambitious yet essential goal in the fight against climate change. It necessitates a complete overhaul of the current travel and tourism infrastructure, demanding cooperation and innovation from all sectors. However, achieving this goal is particularly challenging without imposing undue burdens on developing economies, which often rely heavily on tourism revenue. All stakeholders, including governments, businesses, and travellers are required to collaborate. In the case of Africa, Asia and South America, the expectation of equal participation poses an uneven playing field.
In the 2024 edition of the Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) – a flagship index of the World Economic Forum that has been in production since 2007 – found resurgence in the travel and tourism sectors that bodes well for future projections. This is despite that the global market had taken a COVID-19 induced knock.
The report states that “while 71 of the 119 TTDI-ranked economies increased their scores between the 2019 and 2024 editions, the average index score is just 0.7 percent above pre-pandemic levels”; yet it is notable that low to upper-middle-income economies accounted for 52 of them. Africa continues to fall far behind, even though the World Travel and Tourism Council reported that the sector’s contribution to the region’s GDP was USD 182.4 billion in 2019 – representing 6.8 percent.
Of the top 30 countries ranked in the TTDI, 26 are high-income, 19 are based in Europe, seven are in Asia-Pacific, three are in the Americas and one is in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. As a result, considerations and recommendations regarding the realisation of zero-carbon travel worldwide cannot be purely based on profitability without making contextual observations. Presently, the TTDI global average stands at 3.96 points, yet the top ten countries – headed by United States of America with 5.24, Spain (5.18), and Japan (5.09) – all surpass this mark considerably, with tenth-placed Switzerland scoring 4.81. With much of the development conversation around Africa’s burgeoning market potential lying upon the shoulders of its youth population, the attainment of sustainable development goals and economic prosperity as national drives need to factor in the role of the travel and tourism sector.
Achieving zero-carbon travel requires a multifaceted approach, including advancements in technology, changes in consumer behaviour, and supportive policies. This transition poses significant challenges. Firstly, the current state of transportation technology, especially in aviation and maritime travel, is heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Although there are promising developments in electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, widespread adoption is still years away and necessary infrastructure for such technologies is also underdeveloped, particularly in less affluent regions. Secondly, with developing economies in Africa, Asia, and South America often depending on tourism for economic stability, imposing stringent zero-carbon travel requirements without providing adequate support could stifle their growth and development. These regions typically lack the financial and technological resources to swiftly transition to zero-carbon alternatives. Thirdly, effective implementation of zero-carbon travel policies requires global coordination. This involves setting international standards and providing financial assistance to developing nations to avoid fragmented and insufficient results.
Turning the gaze particularly upon the African continent, it is reassuring that there are various interventions that are formulating localised solution looking at the geo-political specificity of the barriers present. In a recently published scholarly article, ‘Achieving Carbon Neutrality in Africa is Possible: The Impact of Education, Employment, and Renewable Energy Consumption on Carbon Emissions’, the authorial team led by Chinyere Ori Elom, Robert Ugochukwu Onyeneke and Daniel Adu Ankrah posit that just investments in education, renewable energy and employment hold the keys to mitigating carbon emissions in Africa. While nations like Botswana seeking to position themselves as knowledge-based economies, they partially side-step the authors’ assertation that “economic growth is expected to influence the emission of carbon into the environment through the pathway of industrialisation”, however, this does not excuse such economies as faster to reach carbon neutrality. Economic diversification and innovation are greatly valuable tools in the kit toward this goal.
While the long-term goal is to achieve zero-carbon travel, individuals can take immediate steps to reduce their travel-related carbon footprint. Some 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. This approach not only lessens the environmental impact but also allows for a deeper, more meaningful engagement with the local culture and community. Opting for vacations closer to home reduces the need for air travel and supports local economies – this has been at the forefront of the South African Tourism Board’s ‘Sho’t Left’ campaign launched in 2004; further encouraging people to explore nearby natural attractions and cultural sites. While choosing between trains, buses, or carpooling over flying isn’t a regionally viable option, selecting hotels and lodgings that prioritize sustainability is. Many establishments are now implementing green practices such as using renewable energy, reducing water consumption, and minimizing waste.
Climate change is no longer a mythological theory as evidenced by longer hot and cold seasons, and unprecedented temperatures. The shifts in the planet’s behaviour cannot be solely attributed to one sector of the global economy, or even one region. However, it goes without saying that intelligence now affords those in the game chances to adjust the rules and regulations in order to avoid mass destruction. While developing regions continue to bear the weight of inequality, no party can be excused from answering the clarion call to advance toward zero-carbon travel in the foreseeable future.
