SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 15, 2024 – In a landmark decision, the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29) will feature a dedicated Thematic Day focused on climate change and tourism. This marks the first time tourism ministers will participate in the conference, placing the sector firmly within the COP29 Action Agenda.
Tourism's Role in Global Climate Action
The Thematic Day, scheduled for November 20th in Baku, Azerbaijan, will provide a high-level platform for dialogue on tourism's role in global climate action. This initiative is led jointly by the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism).
A Science-Based Approach to Tourism Climate Action
This significant development reflects UN Tourism's leading role in advocating for a science-based approach to guide the tourism sector on climate action. It builds upon the efforts of the Glasgow Declaration Initiative, launched at COP26, which operates under the framework of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme.
Collaboration for a Landmark Momentum
The collaboration of committed member states, tourism stakeholders, and the support of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been instrumental in achieving this milestone for the tourism sector at COP29.
The First Ministerial Meeting on Climate Action in Tourism
The First Ministerial Meeting on Climate Action in Tourism will be a central event of the Thematic Day. Following the ministerial meeting, three high-level thematic roundtables will delve into critical topics:
- Measurement and Decarbonization
- Regeneration (Adaptation)
- Finance and Innovative Solutions
These roundtables aim to build a comprehensive and impactful tourism climate agenda.
The Baku Declaration: A Call to Action
The COP29 Presidency will also launch the Baku Declaration on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism. This declaration calls for more economy-wide Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement, aligning with the calls from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, UNFCCC's Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, and UN Tourism Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili.
Government representatives will be encouraged to endorse the Baku Declaration and outline their plans to integrate tourism policies and efforts with national climate goals and the UN Climate Change Agenda.
Supporting the Integration of Tourism in NDCs
UN Tourism and the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan will release a Position Paper on Exploring Opportunities to Integrate Tourism in NDCs for public consultation. This paper aims to support countries in incorporating tourism considerations into their national climate commitments.
Boosting Engagement and Accountability
The Thematic Day will also feature two of UN Tourism's flagship sustainability initiatives:
- Glasgow Declaration Initiative on Climate Action in Tourism: This voluntary commitment, launched at COP26, is recognized as a Global Climate Action initiative by UNFCCC. At COP29, the initiative will seek additional signatories and emphasize its role as a tool for implementing national climate policies through tourism climate action.
- Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST): Adopted by the UN Statistical Commission in February 2024, the MST Framework will be formally acknowledged as the tool to measure the sector's climate action impacts. The MST Framework goes beyond GDP to include environmental data, such as GHG emissions and energy use, driving the production of more trustworthy and comparable data on tourism's impact on climate change.
A COP29 Legacy for Enhanced Climate Action
COP29 delegates will discuss a coordination mechanism and partnership led by UN Tourism with the UN System, multilateral partners, the industry, academia, and other stakeholders to ensure a coherent and aligned approach to advance a science-based agenda for positive impact.
The inclusion of a Thematic Day on Climate Change and Tourism at COP29 is a significant step towards recognizing the tourism sector's role in addressing climate change and promoting sustainable practices.