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TheConversationCanada
Climate justice is a critical issue for the tourism industry
By Bobbie Chew Bigby, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of WaterlooFreya Higgins-Desbiolles, Adjunct Professor / Adjunct Senior Lecturer in Tourism Management/, University of South Australia,
3 days ago
A bushfire in close proximity to Cable Beach in Broome, Western Australia, in 2019. (Bobbie Chew Bigby) , Author provided
Until recently, the response to the climate crisis has focused largely on climate action . This includes addressing the impacts of carbon emissions through mitigation (using technologies to prevent emissions) and adaptation (adjusting to climate change) in impacted areas.
The tourism industry’s engagement with climate justice is well overdue. The concept of climate justice first gained international recognition in 2000 when the first climate justice summit was held alongside COP 6 at the Hague.
Climate justice is an inclusive approach to climate action that centres the voices and needs of communities most impacted by climate change. Indigenous, Black and other marginalized communities are particularly vulnerable to the severe impacts of climate change.
As, Daniela Subtil, the network co-ordinator for Stay Grounded, a network of organizations promoting alternatives to aviation to address climate change, said:
“The impacts of the climate crisis that aviation contributes to are being felt… by marginalised, historically and systematically marginalised peoples. Yet there is a very tiny percentage of the world’s population flying.”
Climate justice recognizes that these communities often lack the resources needed to deal with the impacts of climate extremes. Despite contributing the least to the climate crisis, both historically and in the present, many of these communities — particularly across the Global South — are bearing the brunt of its consequences.
Our report highlights that low-income countries account for less than one per cent of travel and tourism emissions, but will suffer the most from climate change. Tourism emissions are disproportionately caused by a small percentage of the population that are primarily in the Global North.
Demands for climate justice are just as relevant to travellers as they are to the tourism industry. Whether it’s the need to better prepare for climate disasters at destinations or the potential increase in levies that the industry will pass onto consumers, travellers are not shielded from the effects of climate change.
Our report encourages a responsible approach to travel planning that urges travellers to take into account not only their carbon footprints, but also their broader impact on social justice.
This begins with recognizing the communities and environments impacted by tourists’ travel choices. Tourists should be aware that their presence may not be welcomed in communities dealing with climate change-related disasters.
For instance, Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel in Australia educates about the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage site, the impacts it faces from climate change and the Traditional Owners connected to the site.
Canada is also fortunate to be home to some unique examples of this type of tourism in action, including the Haida Gwaii archipelago off of the coast of British Columbia, which has always been home to the Haida Nation .
Given the islands’ distinctive natural and cultural beauties, Haida Gwaii has become a popular tourist destination. In an attempt to assert control over tourism to their homelands and ensure visitors are following a path of responsible tourism, the citizens of Haida Gwaii have initiated the Haida Gwaii Pledge .
The pledge asks tourists to understand the responsibility of care that Haida have for their place and people. It invites visitors to join them in this care and be respectful guests during their visit. This is one example of transforming tourism relations for justice. It will become increasingly needed as climate change impacts hit harder and harder.
Ultimately, climate justice is a critical issue for all of us. Recent events prompt us all to commit to climate action with concern for more just outcomes. This may also transform tourism for the better.
Jeremy Smith, a climate specialist for The Travel Foundation, co-authored this article.
Bobbie Chew Bigby served as a consultant researcher. She also received funding from a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grant to support the research for the report.
Freya Higgins-Desbiolles acted as an unpaid consultant researcher for the Travel Foundation for research on climate justice in tourism in 2023-24.
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