Tourism is a clear contributor to the global climate crisis, but also stands to suffer its consequences. So, it is now more important than ever for tourism to step up and show how the sector can be part of the solution.
Climate change and extreme weather events have already harmed many aspects of our natural environment. And these adverse effects trickle down to our communities and businesses as well.
Sea levels will rise
Increasing flooding and coastal erosion
Warmer summers
Typical summers in Scotland will be warmer and drier, with greater extreme temperatures
Wetter winters
Typical winters in Scotland will be milder and wetter
Extreme rainfall
Intense, heavy rainfall events will increase in both winter and summer
Climate change is a large-scale, long term shift in weather patterns that affect average rainfall, maximum and minimum temperatures throughout the seasons, hours of sunshine, humidity and the frequency (and severity) of extreme weather.
We are now in a period of accelerated change caused by the increase in emission of greenhouse gases generated by human activity.
Learn more about climate change on Scotland's environment website.
"Net zero" means the amount of greenhouse gas emissions we put into the atmosphere and the amount we're able to take out will add up to zero. Our first step is to reduce emissions by changing our actions and processes, but not all emissions can be avoided.
The Scottish Government has set a 2045 target for net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases with a reduction of 75% by 2030 and 90% by 2040. Read more on its ambitions at the Scottish Government's Climate Change page.
Carbon footprint is the term used to describe the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are generated by a country, business, or even a person.
Establishing a carbon footprint for your business helps you understand the sources of your greenhouse gas emissions. This can be very useful in helping to identify the best place to start when it comes to reducing your emissions.
Learn more about what is a carbon footprint on the Scottish Enterprise website.
Tourism contributes to the global climate crisis, but it also stands to suffer from it by:
The tourism industry must act now and show how it can be part of the solution.
Research from 2018 published on the nature website has indicated that global tourism is responsible for roughly eight per cent of the world's greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. The majority of this is from visitors from high-income countries.
The impacts of climate change are already affecting tourism businesses in Scotland through:
Extreme weather events
Changes to seasons
Increased wildfire risks,
Nature and biodiversity loss,
Damage to buildings and infrastructure,
Impact on transport and supply chains
The costs of goods
All these climate trends affect business operations and customer plans and choices now.
Learn more about tourism and climate change on the Sustainable Travel International website.
If yes, you may have to consider changes to your offering as climate impacts become clearer. This could have many impacts including:
Changes to the tourist seasons and impacts on offerings. For example, a shorter winter season and longer summers seasons.
More variable and extreme weather such as heavy rain, high winds, and storms. Affecting outdoor events and activities, supply chains, rural access routes, ferry services, and staff travel.
Wetter seasons affecting buildings. For example, through increased damp.
Hotter temperatures affecting staff and customer comfort levels and building fabric.
Rising sea levels affecting businesses located on coasts.
Changes to the availability and cost of goods and services.
By acting now, your business can reduce costs and build resilience, but will also meet the increasing consumer demand for sustainability. The good news is, we're here to help
Do a climate risk assessment to see how your business might be affected. Look at what measures you can put in place to adapt to and mitigate the effect of these changes.
Create a Climate Action PlanIt's important to understand that the impact of climate change is not only about how your business operates. Consider the impact on your customers, staff, and supply chain.
Learn more about adapting your business to climate changeAs well as tackling your own operational emissions, what influence can you have on others by sharing your story? How can you use your influence to foster collaboration and learning, and promote responsible tourism?
Learn more about communicating about climate changeWe're asking the Scottish tourism sector to prioritise responsible, low carbon growth and join us on the journey to net zero.
This resource tool is designed to highlight elements of the Destination Net Zero Action Plan which are relevant to destination stakeholders (e.g., DMOs, local authorities, sub-sector groups).
It will assist stakeholders to develop their own plan, supporting Scottish tourism’s transition to a net zero economy.
Published March 2023
This content has been produced as part of the Scottish Government tourism recovery funded Destination Net Zero programme. We’ve created it for you in partnership with Green Tourism and The Edinburgh Climate Change Institute.
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