The WTTC said the new initiative, which measures the environmental impact of tourism in 185 countries, was “one of the largest research projects of its kind ever undertaken”.
Launched at the WTTC’s Global Summit in Riyadh, the research will be updated yearly with the latest figures from each country and the WTTC said governments around the world could use the data as a tool for “inform their decision-making and accelerate environmental change more accurately”.
Previous estimates have suggested the travel and tourism sector was responsible for up to 11% of global emissions. However, according to the WTTC’s research, the industry’s 2019 greenhouse gas emissions totalled 8.1%.
The WTTC said the industry’s emissions had been “falling consistently” since 2010, as the result of technological developments and the introduction of a number of energy efficiency measures.
It said between 2010 and 2019 the sector’s GDP had grown on average 4.3% annually, whilst its environmental footprint has only increased by 2.4%.
The WTTC said it would continue to announce new data on how the sector fares in its bid to lower its carbon footprint throughout 2023.
Julia Simpson, WTTC president and chief executive, said: "Until now we did not have a sector-wide way to accurately measure our climate footprint. This data will give governments the detailed information they need to make progress against the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
"Travel and tourism is making huge strides to decarbonise, but governments must set the framework. We need a steely focus on increasing the production of Sustainable Aviation fuels with government incentives. The technology exists. We also need greater use of renewable energy in our national grids – so when we turn on a light in a hotel room, it is using a sustainable energy source.
"8.1% is the stake in the ground. The key is to become more efficient and decoupling the rate at which we grow from the amount of energy we consume from today, every decision, every change, will lead to a better and brighter future for all."
