Responding to Climate Change: Tourism Related Initiatives in Asia and the Pacific, and Australian Experience

Transcription

1 Responding to Climate Change: Tourism Related Initiatives in Asia and the Pacific, and Australian Experience Dr Andy Choi The University of Queensland Australia

2 Responding to Climate Change I. Background II. Tourism Related Initiatives: A UNWTO Publication III. Australian Experience IV. Q & A

3 I. Background Over 1 billion international tourists annually (UNWTO) Highest growth rates are in Asia Pacific region Climate change is real (IPCC) Asia Pacific to contribute 47% of all global carbon emissions by 2030 (IPCC) Where does tourism fit? Dependant? Victim? Contributor? Catalyst for change?

4 I. Bacground Climate Change and Socioeconomic Processes Source: IPCC WGII AR5 (2014).

5 I. Background Observed Impacts of Climate Change Source: IPCC WGII AR5 (2014).

6 I. Background Where are We Heading to? Can tourism be a developed with a quadruple bottom line approach to sustainability? (Environmental, social, economic & climate responsiveness) Could tourism be a catalyst industry for a new attitude of responsiveness to global climate?

7 II. A UNWTO Publication Responding to Climate Change: An Examination of Tourism Related Initiatives in Asia and the Pacific A UNWTO publication edited by Dr Lisa Ruhanen 1. Authors: International experts and scholars 2. Features: 19 chapters A combination of empirical and conceptual research Public and private sector focus Climate change impacts on the region Regional case studies Barriers to addressing climate change Recommendations

8 II. A UNWTO Publication Chapters Covering: Country Studies: International & Asia Pacific overviews of tourism & climate change Climate change (& tourism) policy Air travel, emissions & tourism growth Vulnerability, resilience Mitigation and adaptation Events Risk management Culture Alpine destinations Australia Bangladesh Cambodia China Maldives Nepal Viet-Nam

9 II. A UNWTO Publication The Study The study was instigated in recognition of the impacts of climate change on tourism in the Asia Pacific region. Since the first International Conference on Climate Change and Tourism in Djerba, 2003, the UNWTO has released publications to assist stakeholders in the tourism sector address issues related to climate change. The UNWTO Regional Programme for Asia and the Pacific, in collaboration with The University of Queensland, Australia brought together a range of contributors to explore climate change policy and initiatives as they relate to tourism in Asia and the Pacific.

10 II. A UNWTO Publication Climate Change & Tourism Policy in Asia Pacific Explores government policy responses to climate change and tourism from a selection of UNWTO member state countries in the Asia Pacific. The integration and recognition of the impact of climate change is in its preliminary stages in tourism policy in the region. Climate change is generally addressed within environmental departments. The implications of a changing climate on livelihoods dependent on tourism requires further recognition, as the impacts can no longer can be considered isolated from economic and social systems.

11 II. A UNWTO Publication And a time to make a choice. A STARTING POINT Nobody on this planet is going to be untouched by the impacts of climate change [ ]. If the world doesn t do anything about decreasing the emission of greenhouse gases, the extent of climate change will continue to increase (IPPC, 2014). The initiatives presented in this study are just a start to the ongoing challenges associated with tourism and climate change in Asia and the Pacific (the editor).

12 III. Australian Experience BAU Projection of Future CO2 Emissions from Tourism Source: UNWTO-UNEP-WMO (2008).

13 III. Australian Experience Tourism, Climate Change, and Air Travel ICAO Targets Carbon neutral from % reduction by 2050 Global Trips (2005) Trips by Air (2005) Source: UNWTO-UNEP-WMO (2008).

14 III. Australian Experience International Aviation Emission Projections ( ) Source: Lee et. al (2013).

15 III. Australian Experience Joint Efforts Source: UNWTO-UNEP-WMO (2008).

16 III. Australian Experience Fixed price: 01/07/2012 ~ 01/07/2015 Emission trading: 01/07/2015 ~ Table 1. Carbon price impact on aviation fuel, cents per litre

17 III. Australian Experience Uncertain Political Environment Issues to consider? A carbon tax of $23 (July 01, 2012 ~) A crowding-out effect? Federal Election 2013 (September 07) The Coalition: Tony Abbot How do people respond/adapt to the policy changes?

18 III. Australian Experience $9.2 / tco2 $10.3 Brisbane : Manila (1.2 tco2)

19 III. Australian Experience WTP (AU$/tCO2) Estimation Between 2012 and 2014 General flights University sample Literature: 20~42 AU$/tCO2 Domestic Nationwide International Nationwide 01/07/2012 Beliefs Effective (30%) 18/09/2013 Domestic Nationwide 01/07/2014 Carbon Tax Support Carbon tax (40%) Tony Abbot Carbon Tax

20 III. Australian Experience Some Thoughts for Carbon Neutral Flights >60% CO2 from international flights Long-haul travel increasing Three times between 1995 (18%) and 2020 (24%) 2.2% trips between the five world regions = 16% tourist emissions Low awareness + technical barriers + adverse intention Carbon intensive air travel The average trip (0.25 tco2 for 4.15 days) Global average carbon emissions per capita (4.3 tco2) Long-haul and very luxury cruises (9 tco2 per trip) A proactive solution for the complex issue Introduce compulsory carbon offsets for all international flights Make all international flights carbon neutral A flying initiative with the maximum impact & minimum costs Source: UNWTO-UNEP-WMO (2008).

21 Q&A Questions?