Research and Policy for Climate Change and Tourism

Susanne Becken25th November 2009, Bournemouth

Tourism and Climate Dimensions

Past Projects

• Pathways to Sustainability (2002-2006): Greenhouse gas emissions of international tourists in NZ

• Energy efficiency in the tourism sector (2003)• Developing a Carbon Footprinting tool for tourism

businesses (2008)• Calculating the Carbon Footprint

of Domestic Tourism (2009)• Tourism and Oil (2007-2011)

Acute Policy Interest in 2007/08• “New Zealand is probably one of the

most toxic destinations for tourism in the world. The unsuspecting foreign visitors risk a litany of health hazards including exposure to excessive UV radiation, unknown volumes of lethal substances that have extensively contaminated the environment and toxic algae poisoning…”

• “While no other country claims to be "pure", or "clean", New Zealand is promoting its toxic environment as "100% Pure" in a government-sponsored false advertising campaign.”

http://www.chapmantripp.com/Pages/Publication.aspx?ItemID=503

Establishment of Climate Change Group for Tourism

• Stakeholders from government, industry to develop an Action Plan• Assess current knowledge (i.e. based on existing research)• Use latest Tourism New Zealand market research on Environmental

Perceptions• Link with other international activities by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

and Trade• Work closely with counterparts in Australia; consult with experts• Link with other policy initiatives such as Emission Trading Scheme• Etc.

• => 6-weekly meetings for over a year• => produced an Action Plan with four key areas

NZ Tourism and Climate Change Plan

1. Maintain effective messaging and positioning in our key markets

2. Enable and ensure a well judged response by tourism businesses

3. Respond effectively to concerns about GHG emissions generated by flying to and from New Zealand

4. Establish a forward research agenda

Available on www.tourism.govt.nz

Messaging and Positioning

Regional Visitor Monitor 2009, Ministry of Tourismwww.tourismresearch.govt.nz

Monitoring of Perceptions

Response by Tourism Businesses

Main goal: Enhance carbon efficiency• Energy survey as part of Tourism & Oil (results

at www.leap.ac.nz)• Energy auditing – partnership between

Tourism Industry Association and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority: TEEP

TEEP

New Research

• New Government funded project “Preparing the Tourism Sector for Climate Change” – National vulnerability analysis– 3 case studies (one will be the ski industry)– Development of adaptation tools

Regional Climate Models (NIWA)

Aviation

• Ministry of Transport and Air New Zealand• Current concern: international policies, e.g. UKAPD• We provided estimate of impact with our CGE

model 5% 10% 15% 20% i) Change in value of return flights of UK visitors to NZ (excl value of APD tax) -2.9% -5.6% -8.1% -10.5% ii) Change in value of NZ tourism exports - UK visitors -1.9% -3.7% -5.4% -7.1% iii) Change in value of NZ tourism exports - non-UK visitors 0.003% 0.006% 0.009% 0.012% iv) Change in value of NZ tourism exports - all visitors -0.31% -0.60% -0.89% -1.16% v) Change in NZ real GDP -0.013% -0.025% -0.037% -0.048%

It is strongly recommended to undertake a full analysis with sensitivity tests as outlined above in the text.

Any questions

For more informationwww.leap.ac.nz