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The carbon footprint of global tourism

Author

Listed:
  • Manfred Lenzen

    (The University of Sydney)

  • Ya-Yen Sun

    (National Cheng Kung University
    The University of Queensland)

  • Futu Faturay

    (The University of Sydney
    Fiscal Policy Agency, Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia)

  • Yuan-Peng Ting

    (National Cheng Kung University)

  • Arne Geschke

    (The University of Sydney)

  • Arunima Malik

    (The University of Sydney
    The University of Sydney)

Abstract

Tourism contributes significantly to global gross domestic product, and is forecast to grow at an annual 4%, thus outpacing many other economic sectors. However, global carbon emissions related to tourism are currently not well quantified. Here, we quantify tourism-related global carbon flows between 160 countries, and their carbon footprints under origin and destination accounting perspectives. We find that, between 2009 and 2013, tourism’s global carbon footprint has increased from 3.9 to 4.5 GtCO2e, four times more than previously estimated, accounting for about 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Transport, shopping and food are significant contributors. The majority of this footprint is exerted by and in high-income countries. The rapid increase in tourism demand is effectively outstripping the decarbonization of tourism-related technology. We project that, due to its high carbon intensity and continuing growth, tourism will constitute a growing part of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • Manfred Lenzen & Ya-Yen Sun & Futu Faturay & Yuan-Peng Ting & Arne Geschke & Arunima Malik, 2018. "The carbon footprint of global tourism," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 8(6), pages 522-528, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:8:y:2018:i:6:d:10.1038_s41558-018-0141-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-018-0141-x
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