SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

SDG 13 highlights how tourism contributes to and is affected by climate change. Therefore, it’s urgent that the tourism industry takes up the responsibility to be a game-changer in the global response to climate change. Both transportation and accommodation are large stakeholders of the tourism industry. The main difference they can make is by reducing carbon and investing in low carbon, sustainable alternatives. ⠀
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Examples of these alternatives are the use of green technologies, eco-friendly building techniques, the use of renewable energy, recycling and waste management, and, overall pollution reduction. When considering the natural and cultural attractions of a destination, organisations and businesses need to develop and manage the protection of landscapes, ecosystems and wildlife in a sustainable manner.⠀
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A destination as a whole can also develop ways to balance the needs of the environment with the local economy, community and culture by controlling and, when needed, mitigating the seasonal influx of tourists. To be able to do this, a system to identify risk and opportunities associated with climate change needs to be put in place. This will help develop climate change adaptation strategies. In the long term, this will contribute to the resilience of a destination. It’s always important to involve local communities as well as visitors and this can be done through public education and awareness campaigns.