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Measurement of Tourism-Related CO 2 Emission and the Factors Influencing Low-Carbon Behavior of Tourists: Evidence from Protected Areas in China

Author

Listed:
  • Jing Wu

    (Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China)

  • Shen Wang

    (Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China)

  • Yuling Liu

    (School of Economics and Management, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Xuesong Xie

    (Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China)

  • Siyi Wang

    (Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China)

  • Lianhong Lv

    (Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China)

  • Hong Luo

    (Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China)

Abstract

In the fight against climate change, future policy directions in the transition toward a green travel- and tourism-based economy include improving tourism-derived CO 2 emission levels and guiding individual low-carbon behavior. In China, people tend to engage in outdoor adventure travel and cultural tourism in natural areas. However, limited information is available on the empirical evaluation of energy use and the CO 2 emissions associated with tourism in protected areas. The present study used a life cycle assessment to explore energy use and CO 2 emissions due to tourism and identify the factors driving low-carbon behavior. To these ends, survey data for the protected areas of the Qinling Mountains from 2014 to 2019 were used. The results showed that energy use and CO 2 emissions in various tourism sectors steadily increased from 2014 to 2019, primarily because of an increase in transportation activity. This study used data derived from the calculation of CO 2 emissions per tourist per trip to identify the various factors jointly contributing to the low-carbon behavior of tourists. These included a low-carbon attitude, low-carbon knowledge, environmental education, and policy reward. The broader implications of this study are that several emission reduction policy options are available to address the challenges inherent in sustainable tourism development and that these policies may be selected according to specific conditions. The low-carbon transformation of recreational facilities at travel destinations, policy rewards, and environmental education can regulate tourist behavior, holding the key to sustainable tourism development in protected areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Jing Wu & Shen Wang & Yuling Liu & Xuesong Xie & Siyi Wang & Lianhong Lv & Hong Luo, 2023. "Measurement of Tourism-Related CO 2 Emission and the Factors Influencing Low-Carbon Behavior of Tourists: Evidence from Protected Areas in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-19, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:2:p:1277-:d:1031453
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Rafał Nagaj & Brigita Žuromskaitė, 2023. "Young Travellers and Green Travel in the Post-COVID Era," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-18, September.
    3. Xu, Anfeng & Jin, Lei & Yang, Jingzi, 2024. "Balancing tourism growth, Fintech, natural resources, and environmental sustainability: Findings from top tourist destinations using MMQR approach," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    4. Paula Triviño-Tarradas & Alejandro Mohedo-Gatón & Pilar Carranza-Cañadas & Rafael E. Hidalgo-Fernandez, 2024. "The Application of Metaverse in the Tourism Sector as a Tool for Enhancing Sustainability—Case Study: A Medieval ‘Perfume Burner’ of the Local Historical Museum of Montilla (Cordoba, Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-14, August.

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