Blue skies thinking needed for low carbon tourism in New Zealand
Creative solutions will be needed to reduce the carbon footprint of the New Zealand tourism sector by 2050, says
thinkstep-anz following a comprehensive study done for the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.
Tourism was responsible for 9% of New Zealand’s national emissions in 2017, and we outsource a further 6% of our
domestic emissions to the world through the international flights taken to get here and in the production of the goods
and services that tourists purchase while in New Zealand.
By 2050, international aviation will make up the majority of the sector’s emissions, with New Zealand domestic emissions
decreasing as the Zero Carbon Act is implemented. Tourism is the most significant industry for economic earnings, and
provides jobs and opportunities for small business up and down the country.
Barbara Nebel, CEO of thinkstep-anz said “The high proportion of international aviation emissions is not surprising
given New Zealand’s geographic remoteness. Our projections assume business as usual, which will see international
tourism growing.
“We have not projected the possible impact of the flight-shame movement on tourism demand. But in any case, creative
solutions will be needed to reduce emissions from international aviation. These could include encouraging more domestic
tourism, welcoming more visitors from our closest markets such as Australia, or promoting slow travel where visitors
make the most of their trip by staying for longer and really getting to know New Zealand culture and hospitality. These
could be done in ways that alleviate the other environmental pressures identified in the sector.”
The total carbon footprint of New Zealand’s tourism industry was estimated to be 12 million tonnes of carbon dioxide
equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2017. Over a third (37%) was generated by international and domestic air transport, higher than
the international average of 25%. A further 16% came from international supply chains for goods and services consumed in
New Zealand.
More than half (58%) of emissions were generated within New Zealand, representing around 9% of New Zealand’s total
greenhouse gas emissions in 2017.
Domestic road, air, rail and water transport account for the majority (55%) of the tourism-related emissions generated
within New Zealand’s borders. Consumption of food and beverages (24%) and shopping for consumer goods (10%) also make
significant contributions.
By 2050, however, domestic emissions are projected to decrease as New Zealand makes progress on measures to reduce
emissions, stimulated by Government policies to implement the Zero Carbon Act.
thinkstep-anz conducted the data analysis for the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, supporting the report
released today, “Pristine, popular … imperilled? The environmental consequences of projected tourism growth in New
Zealand”, available from https://www.pce.parliament.nz/publications/pristine-popular-imperilled-the-environmental-consequences-of-projected-tourism-growth
The report addresses the environmental and cultural impacts of tourism and what ongoing business-as-usual growth could
mean both for the environment and for the vulnerability of the tourism sector.
Barbara Nebel said “The report raises key issues for this crucial sector. At the forefront of many people’s minds will
be the tragic loss of life on Whakaari/White Island last week. True sustainability starts with people. We encourage an
ongoing conversation across the sector to find ways to nurture both the people and the land in this time of
uncertainty.”
Previous studies of the emissions footprint of New Zealand tourism
The carbon footprint of global tourism, Jun 2018, Manfred Lenzen, Ya-Yen Sun, Futu Faturay and Arunima Malik. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324992370_The_carbon_footprint_of_global_tourism
The Carbon Footprint of Domestic Tourism, August 2009, Susanne Becken.
International aviation emissions have been mapped by the Global Sustainable Tourism Dashboard, supported by the Griffith
Institute for Tourism.
About thinkstep-anz
thinkstep-anz’s mission is to enable organisations worldwide to succeed sustainably, by developing strategies,
delivering roadmaps and projects, and implementing leading software solutions. We help organisations such as Fletcher
Building, Sanford, Villa Maria, New Zealand Steel and Lion to embed sustainability in their organisations and products.
thinkstep-anz is a member of the Climate Leaders Coalition and a Certified B Corp, has an approved science-based target
and is a member of the Sustainable Business Council. thinkstep-anz is headquartered in Wellington and is part of the
global thinkstep group, with 300 sustainability experts worldwide.
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