WTTC has launched the second edition of its Net Zero Roadmap for Travel & Tourism report, revealing the number of global travel and tourism businesses setting climate targets has surged by 27 per cent in the past three years, with more than half now actively committed to emissions reduction.
Launched at the COP29 (29th Conference of the Parties) in Baku, Azerbaijan, the report reveals that 53 per cent of the 250 leading travel and tourism businesses analysed have now set climate targets, a significant increase from 42 per cent in 2021, when the first net zero roadmap was created.
Among these businesses, one third have committed to Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) goals, with the number of companies adopting SBTi targets more than doubled since 2021, signalling an accelerated effort by the sector to align with global climate standards.
Developed in collaboration with Accenture, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and supported by the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, this second edition of the roadmap underscores the urgency of climate action as the sector works towards net zero by 2050.
The latest edition addresses the escalating environmental impacts on tourism, and introduces an enhanced decarbonisation framework, including new target corridors to guide travel and tourism businesses in setting actionable climate targets.
A major focus of the updated roadmap is improving sector alignment and transparency, particularly as demand for sustainable travel options grows, with 75 per cent of global travellers now expressing a desire to travel more sustainably.
The roadmap also draws on WTTC’s Environmental & Social Research (ESR), which reveals a significant decrease in travel and tourism’s carbon emissions footprint.
According to the latest ESR data, travel and tourism accounted for 6.5 per cent of global emissions in 2023, down from a peak of 7.8 per cent in 2019, representing an 10.2 per cent reduction in the sector’s greenhouse gas intensity. Across a number of industries, the roadmap notes significant improvements in carbon intensity.
In 2023, the aviation industry achieved a six per cent reduction in carbon intensity from 2019, when travel and tourism was at its peak, while the cruise and accommodation industries both decreased their carbon intensity by 11 per cent – these reductions are critical as the sector works to balance growth with a meaningful transition to lower emissions.
The updated roadmap also highlights the role of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in reducing aviation’s carbon footprint, and calls for the expansion of SAF adoption across airlines, supported by investment and regulatory alignment.
It also emphasises the importance of accessible green financing for small to medium enterprises that can often lack the resources to implement sustainability measures.
Despite these advancements, the report identifies ongoing challenges, both internal and external, that require attention: measuring Scope 3 emissions remains a complex task for many companies, as does achieving regulatory alignment across regions.
Julia Simpson, WTTC president and CEO, shared: “This updated roadmap is a call to action for every business in travel and tourism. We must work together with greater ambition and urgency to create a sustainable future for travel and tourism. Every step counts towards preserving our planet and the livelihoods of millions.”
View the full report here.
