Climate Change Overview

Sustainable tourism is an ethos that underpins all tourism activities.

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation defines sustainable tourism as:

'Tourism that meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunity for the future'.

Rather than a type of product, sustainable tourism is an ethos that underpins all tourism activities. As such, it is integral to all aspects of tourism development and management and not just an add-on.

Sustainable Tourism, is not something you simply achieve, it is a continual process of improvement.

Climate Change is an important aspect of sustainable tourism; it impacts on both the environmental and economic sustainability of destinations, and the rapid social shift in attitude towards climate change has indicated this is also a key issue for travellers.

Natural and cultural assets are the cornerstones of Tasmania’s tourism brand; the impact of Climate change on our heritage and natural environment has potential to affect the tourism industry and could result in social and economic impact for regions that are highly dependent on tourism as a source of income and employment.

Why it’s important

Consumer attitudes towards the environment and climate change are changing rapidly. So far, there's been little change in travel behaviour and decision making; however this could happen any time soon.

Rather than choosing an operator based on accreditation or environmental performance, consumers may simply form a negative opinion of an operator who is not adopting the expected environmental norms and standards.

Tourism operators need to keep up with rising consumer expectations, particularly in Tasmania where we promote a clean nature-based brand.

To avoid negative brand impact, the Tasmanian tourism industry needs to consider environmental awareness in their product delivery as well as tell visitors about it.

Tourism Tasmania is working with the National Tourism and Climate Change Taskforce to understand the potential implications of climate change to our industry and our destination competitiveness.

Benefits to your business

Economic

The most obvious benefit of implementing sustainable practices is reduced costs. Energy and fuel costs have increased dramatically in Tasmania over the last year and look likely to increase again. Some local councils are thinking of installing permanent water metering systems and for business the costs of waste disposal is also increasing. A reduction in energy use, water use or waste production is therefore going to reduce your immediate and long term business costs.

Resource efficient operations not only improve their bottom line by eliminating wasteful practices but also gain market leverage by reducing their impact on the planet.

Environmental

Tasmania’s unique accessible wildlife, temperate wilderness, cool climate food and wine and celebrated seasonal differences are core to the Tasmanian visitor experience. It is therefore critical we do all we can to limit the impact of climate change on our environment to ensure the protection of our industry, the local environment in which we operate and Tasmania’s nature-based brand and unique natural experiences.

Social

Host communities are a resource to tourism operators as they not only provide a local labour force and supply goods and services to your business, but visitor experiences are also enriched (or diminished) by engagement with the local community.

More sustainable communities therefore provide benefits to your business through positive engagement between visitors and a diverse, vibrant local community.

What you can do - reduce, reuse, recycle, offset

Climate Change is a big and confusing issue, but the simple steps you can take to reduce your carbon emissions are reduce, reuse, recycle and offset. It's not hard if you start small and learn as you go.

The most important thing is to be aware! Talk about it with your family, your colleagues and networks. Build your understanding of sustainability, carbon emissions, climate change and green tourism by engaging with the topic through the Tourism Industry Council, the local and regional tourism associations, sector associations and through Tourism Tasmania, ask questions.

If you throw something away – where is away?
Anna Pollock

If you have limited resources then we recommend you start with just one area, energy efficiency will provide the biggest cost saving for most, although some operators may find water, waste or transport are more pressing issues.

Measuring your energy and water usage and your waste production will help you manage it, and help you to identify where savings can be made and what impact or cost saving has actually occurred

The big picture

For more information on the science of climate change see the publication Carbon Footprint of Australian Tourism available as a free download from the Sustainable Tourism CRC website.

See also a National Tourism and Climate Change Framework for Action [PDF 426KB] from the Australian Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism.

And also the World Tourism Organisation’s Climate Change and Tourism - Responding to Global Challenges