Reducing tourism emissions under consideration

Creative solutions will be needed to reduce the carbon footprint of the New Zealand tourism sector by 2050, says Thinkstep-ANZ.

This follows a comprehensive study done for the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.

Tourism was responsible for 9% of New Zealand’s national emissions in 2017.

The country outsources a further 6% of its domestic emissions to the world through international flights taken to get here and in the production of the goods and services that tourists buy while in New Zealand.

By 2050, international aviation will make up most of the sector’s emissions, with New Zealand domestic emissions decreasing as the Zero Carbon Act is implemented.

Tourism is the most significant industry for economic earnings and provides jobs and opportunities for small business.

“The high proportion of international aviation emissions is not surprising given New Zealand’s geographic remoteness,” Thinkstep-ANZ chief executive Barbara Nebel says.

“Our projections assume business as usual, which will see international tourism growing.

“We have not projected the possible impact of the flight-shame movement on tourism demand. But in any case, creative solutions will be needed to reduce emissions from international aviation.”

Nebel says these could include encouraging more domestic tourism, welcoming more visitors from the closest markets such as Australia, or promoting slow travel where visitors make the most of their trip by staying for longer and really getting to know New Zealand culture and hospitality.

“These could be done in ways that alleviate the other environmental pressures identified in the sector,” she says.

New Zealand’s tourism industry total carbon footprint was estimated to be 12 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2017.

About 37% was generated by international and domestic air transport – higher than the 25% international average. A further 16% came from international supply chains for goods and services consumed in New Zealand.

Some 58% of emissions were generated within New Zealand, representing around 9% of New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2017.

Domestic road, air, rail and water transport account for the majority (55%) of the tourism-related emissions generated within New Zealand’s borders. Consumption of food and beverages (24%) and shopping for consumer goods (10%) also make significant contributions.

By 2050, however, domestic emissions are projected to decrease as New Zealand makes progress on measures to reduce emissions, stimulated by Government policies to implement the Zero Carbon Act.

Thinkstep-ANZ did the data analysis for the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, supporting the report Pristine, popular … imperilled? The environmental consequences of projected tourism growth in New Zealand.

It addresses the environmental and cultural impacts of tourism and what ongoing business-as-usual growth could mean both for the environment and for the vulnerability of the tourism sector.

Tourism companies already taking action to reduce carbon include Tourism Holdings (THL) and Jucy which have been introducing electric camper vehicles.