Flight CO2 is just part of the picture – TravelMole guest comment by David Weston of The Travel Foundation

One of today’s hottest topics is “carbon emissions” – that is, CO2 and other greenhouse gasses (GHGs). 

Whenever this is discussed, it often seems that air travel is the subject of the conversation.

As the UK outbound travel industry’s own sustainable tourism charity, we at the Travel Foundation are of course delighted that an aspect of sustainability is at the top of everyone’s agenda. However, aviation emissions are just one aspect of the sustainability of travel and tourism, and the public debate is in danger of being distorted and oversimplified.

Reducing GHG emissions is vital to slow and halt global warming.   And any effective reductions must include major action on energy saving in our homes and in industry – each of which is responsible for many times more GHG emissions than air travel.   Every individual and every industry must be part of the drive to reduce fossil fuel use – including our industry.

But we must not allow consumers to believe that by giving up their annual holiday flight they are making their contribution to saving the planet.   Firstly, many less developed countries rely mainly or wholly on tourism income – without this economic transfer from rich to poor communities, a global humanitarian crisis would ensue.   Secondly, only tourism effectively pays for conservation, long-term.

And thirdly, it lies within our power to “square the circle” of reconciling consumer demand for travel with the need to halt and reverse the growth of GHG emissions.

How?  The aviation industry believes that aircraft fuel efficiency can be increased by 50% by 2020, compared with 2000.  And all industries must drive up fuel efficiency, and all households must cut energy wastage.  Consumers must seek local goods and seasonal foods, to cut the air miles on our plates and in our shopping baskets every day.

Only by a sustained, worldwide drive to reduce our fossil fuel use can we win this battle – but the travel industry must not be shy of celebrating the benefits of travel, and showing by its actions how it is embracing sustainability in all its forms.

This is a global problem, needing global solutions.  An insular, stay-at-home mindset will not help.  We must keep supporting needy communities worldwide with our tourism spend, keep financing conservation worldwide, and relentlessly reduce wastage of the earth’s resources – including fossil fuels, water and food.  Cutting CO2 is only one – albeit important – part of our duty to our neighbours and our children and grandchildren.