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Carbon emissions breakdown

January 14, 2025

The Travel & Tourism sector is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, accounting for 8-11% of total greenhouse gases. From aviation to accommodations, various segments within this sector play a role in driving emissions. Reducing carbon emissions in travel has become a critical focus as the world works toward a sustainable future. This infographic breaks down emissions by industry, highlighting where the largest contributions come from and explaining the different types of emissions — Scope 1, 2, and 3 — to provide a clearer picture of the sector's carbon footprint.

Climate resilience directly contributes to the stability of tourism destinations. By implementing measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change, destinations can protect their natural resources, which are often the primary attractions for tourists. For instance, destinations like Puerto Rico and the Philippines have developed sophisticated resilience strategies that include climate risk assessments, biodiversity conservation plans, and hazard mapping.1,2 These measures help preserve beaches, forests, and other natural assets that are crucial for tourism.

The Travel & Tourism sector is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, accounting for 8-11% of total greenhouse gases. From aviation to accommodations, various segments within this sector play a role in driving emissions. Reducing carbon emissions in travel has become a critical focus as the world works toward a sustainable future. This infographic breaks down emissions by industry, highlighting where the largest contributions come from and explaining the different types of emissions — Scope 1, 2, and 3 — to provide a clearer picture of the sector's carbon footprint.

  • Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions:
    • Scope 1: Direct emissions (e.g., fuel combustion in aircraft).
    • Scope 2: Indirect emissions (e.g., purchased electricity for hotels).
    • Scope 3: Indirect emissions from the value chain (e.g., food and beverage supply for accommodations).
  • Sector contributions: Travel & Tourism contributes to 8-11% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Key industries include:
    • Aviation: 17% of travel-related emissions, driven by aircraft fuel use (Scope 1).
    • Accommodation: 6%, with emissions primarily from energy use (Scope 2) and value chain services like laundry (Scope 3).
    • Cruise industry: 0.6%, predominantly from fuel onboard (Scope 1).
    • Tour operators (asset heavy): 95% of emissions come from operations (Scope 1), such as fuel and power generation.
    • Online travel agencies (OTAs)/travel agencies: Less than 1% of total emissions, with the majority being from office energy consumption (Scope 2).

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