7 ways your visitor attraction can deliver meaningful change after COP26

Emma Field

Writer and Editor at Fast Field

Posted 26 November 2021

The key aim of COP26 was to limit global warming to 1.5°C. It was, in the words of US climate envoy John Kerry, the world’s “last best chance” to avert climate breakdown.

After two weeks of wrangling in Glasgow, it seems that the aim is down but perhaps not yet entirely out.

Before COP26, we were heading for 2.7°C of warming by 2100. If the nearly-200 countries that have adopted the Glasgow Climate Pact fulfill all their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for 2030 and deliver on their COP26 statements, that number looks more like 2.4°C. And if all countries meet their targets for reaching net-zero, it would be 1.8°C*.

It’s obvious that the Glasgow Climate Pact is far from perfect but it is at least an improvement on the Paris agreement and, crucially, it provides a framework for tracking signatories’ commitments against their actual progress.

Only time will tell whether COP26 was a success or a failure but it’s already clear that more needs to be done. It’s also clear that actions taken by the tourism sector can make a real difference. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), global travel and tourism contribute 8% to 11% of greenhouse gas emissions. And travel and tourism emissions are expected to increase by 25% by 2030, compared with 2016.

Your Visitor Attraction contributes to those figures, and you are expected to contribute to it. We all are.

The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism

Perhaps the most essential part of COP26 for those in the tourism industry was the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, put together by the UNWTO and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTO). It’s been signed by more than 300 top global travel firms, including Intrepid Travel and Scotland. Signatories committed to halving their emissions by 2030 and reaching net-zero by 2050, and they’ve promised to deliver a climate action plan within a year. Part of the Declaration’s appeal is that it helps visitors see which companies are serious about tackling climate change.

When you provide visitors with clear, non-misleading information about your current and future sustainability initiatives, you enable them to make informed decisions – and you become better-placed to meet new consumer demands. (Booking.com’s Sustainable Travel Report 2021 reveals that 61% of travellers say the pandemic has made them want to travel more sustainably in the future – and that’s reflected in their travel and holiday booking decisions.)

Your Visitor Attraction’s actions make a real difference

If the Covid-19 crisis taught us one thing, it’s that the travel and tourism sector is vulnerable and its future depends on its ability to rebuild sustainably and resiliently. It’s vital that we try to understand what the words and numbers from Glasgow might mean for visitor attractions, and what actions you can take to help avert climate breakdown.

The changes and choices your VA make next matter – both to the planet and to your VA’s bottom line, although without one there won’t be the other, of course.

Here are 7 ways your visitor attraction can deliver meaningful change after COP26

This is by no means an exhaustive list of the changes that are likely coming, but we hope it will help you to consider some of the proactive and meaningful transitions your visitor attraction can make over the coming years.

1. Footprint

“Sustainability is an existential need for your business. The first step is to understand your footprint and how climate change is going to impact your business.” – Emily Cromwell, Deloitte’s lead on climate change, speaking at ABTA’s Decarbonising Tourism webinar, 11 November 2021

Did you know that, in 2019, the UK became the first major economy to commit to net-zero by 2050? If you did, you’re likely in the minority. Alarmingly, a recent report highlighted that 55% of Greater Manchester businesses had no awareness of those ambitions – something that’s likely replicated across the country.

Before you start setting targets and making changes, it’s essential to understand your VA’s current footprint. That means measuring and reporting it in a transparent way. Speaking at the same ABTA webinar as Cronwell, WTTC’s director of sustainability Christopher Imbsen said: “We call on businesses to set baselines and targets now. Make these as ambitious as possible and align with industry targets**. Support your partners and supply chains, especially SMEs. Provide investment and finance for transition, and raise awareness in organisations and in nudging customers.”

Once you have that knowledge, you’re in a much better position to start your own net-zero initiatives.

2. Energy

One of the biggest disappointments of COP26 was the last-minute watering down of the agreement’s final text from ‘phasing out’ to ‘phasing down’ unmitigated coal power, leaving many loopholes for the fossil fuel industry.

A quick and effective step to help alleviate that watering down is to switch to a green energy supplier. In the long term, consider what your VA can do to reduce its energy use and to generate its own sustainable sources of power.

There are other steps your VA can take to help create a decarbonised and net-zero tourism sector by 2050. Read the WTTC’s Net Zero Roadmap, launched during COP26, to learn about concrete actions those in the global travel and tourism sector can take to help address the climate crisis.

3. Transport

The UK, along with more than 30 countries and six automakers, pledged to rapidly accelerate the transition to 100% zero-emission cars and vans: “Together, we will work towards all sales of new cars and vans being zero-emission globally by 2040, and by no later than 2035 in leading markets”

By installing EV charging points (and ensuring they’re powered by green energy), your VA can support the wider system transformation required to assist that transition.

Notably, Bristol, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are listed as “Cities, states and regional government” signatories on the agreement, as well as the UK government.

4. Supply chains

Do your food outlets sell products from organisations that that might, unwittingly or not, drive deforestation or impinge on Indigenous people’s rights? Does your PR and marketing agency represent other clients with questionable attitudes to environmental issues?

Find out. Ask those difficult questions and act accordingly. It’s not easy but it makes a difference. For example, PR giant Edelman announced it would review its client roster just a few days after activists targeted it for producing Exxon ads. ExxonMobil is the world’s fourth most polluting fossil fuel company.

There are plenty of greener-minded alternatives out there, and the more in demand they become, the greener their competitors will have to become.

5. Pensions

Pensions are more influential than you might think. Discussions around sustainable investments took up a lot of time at COP26, and rightly so. We’re talking about a huge sum of money that could be effectively aligned with net-zero goals. Just 1% of pension savings in the 37 OECD countries adds up to US$320billion – that’s a lot of potential capital for investment opportunities that could help drive the transition to a clean, green and prosperous future.

Re-evaluate your VA’s pension scheme. Look at switching any pensions you provide your staff away from those that finance fossil fuels and towards greener alternatives.

6. Buildings and construction

COP26 put the built environment firmly on the green agenda, given that it’s responsible for nearly 40% of global energy-related carbon emissions. 136 countries have included buildings as part of their climate action plans, although it’s likely that responsibility for aligning building regulations with low-carbon goals will fall to local authorities.

When you plan to refurb or construct new buildings at your VA, consider not only how energy-efficient they are, but how they could help to actually mitigate climate change.

7. Advocacy

One of the most important things you can do to help deliver meaningful change is to talk about the climate change crisis and equip others with the knowledge to do the same.

Show local and national authorities that climate change is an issue that your VA is prepared to engage with and take meaningful steps to help combat. Urge tourism policymakers to monitor the environmental impact of tourism as well as the economic impact of tourism. Invite climate activists to talk or exhibit at your VA.

By talking about climate change openly and purposefully, visitor attractions help spread understanding of the urgency around it.