Tourism’s Climate Action at COP28: Advancements in implementing the Glasgow Declaration

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) convened tourism leaders at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) to showcase advancements made in implementing the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism.

This declaration, initially introduced at COP25, focuses on achieving Net-Zero emissions by 2050 and outlines five pathways for climate action.

The recent report revealed that out of 420 signatories, 261 have submitted dedicated Climate Action Plans, with 70% measuring CO2 emissions related to their operations. The COP28 exhibition, «Transforming the way we Travel,» featured diverse stakeholders, highlighting various approaches to decarbonization. Additionally, the declaration has been included in the Global Climate Action Platform by UNFCCC, acknowledging the tourism sector’s efforts. UNWTO emphasized the importance of collective action and encouraged Member States to sign the Glasgow Declaration, aligning tourism commitments with the Paris Agreement.

During COP28, a tourism-focused side event showcased industry efforts in emission measurement, decarbonization, regenerative practices, and innovative finance.

UNWTO released Policy Guidance for National Tourism Authorities, engaging 57 Ministries of Tourism to facilitate climate action capacity-building. The Glasgow Declaration’s signatories have grown to 857, representing over 90 countries, all committed to supporting the Paris Agreement’s global goals by publishing annual Climate Action Plans and reporting their implementation progress publicly.

(Rewritten by me, source: https://www.unwto.org/news/tourism-at-cop28-delivering-on-the-climate-action-commitments-of-the-glasgow-declaration)