'Travel must go much further, much faster to cut carbon'

The US, EU and UK are all on board. The G20, which accounts for 80% of all pollution, is close to agreement on it too. Even China is there, with a marginally longer 2060 timeframe.

Crucially, travel and tourism – one of the planet’s biggest industries – has a seat at the table. Nearly 300 Iata airlines agreed net zero 2050 at their annual meeting, and the world’s airports signed on over a year ago. The World Travel and Tourism Council, which represents some 200 hospitality, transport and touring corporations, has a net zero roadmap. Clia members are betting on net zero 2050, while the International Maritime Organisation’s goal is a 50% absolute emission reduction by 2050.

Net zero 2050 is also the central message of the Glasgow Declaration that the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, UN Environment Programme, Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency, the Future of Tourism and others are championing at Cop26.

At SUNx Malta, the firm of which I am president, we have also committed to being an early signatory of the declaration. But while this document is a good first step, we believe net zero is not enough – and 2050 is not soon enough.

The travel and tourism industry must make the Glasgow net zero target by 2030, not 2050, and show commitment to get on the diet now – and stick to it.