I work in tourism. I declare a climate emergency.
Towards the end of last year I wrote an article saying why I thought tourism should declare a climate emergency.
Today an initial group of founding signatories have done just that, with the launch of Tourism Declares.
In signing this declaration with them, I agree to the following five commitments.
1. Develop a ‘Climate Emergency Plan’
2. Share my commitment and progress publicly
3. Cut my carbon emissions by 60% by 2030
4. Work together
5. Advocate for change
What does this mean for me?
As a writer and consultant, I am either at home at my desk, or travelling to clients and events that I am speaking at. Although I travel as much as possible by train, there is no doubt that I have flown more than most people ever will, and this has to drastically reduce. Therefore, this is my Climate Emergency Plan for 2020.
I will travel by train to anywhere I can reach for work within 24hrs.
I cannot say for certain that I will take no flights for work. However I will seek all possible other options first, including land transport, virtual meetings, and suggesting a more local person as an alternative, before accepting a flight. I will publish details of any work-related flights on this website.
I will not accept any press/fam trip that includes a flight.
I will take one return leisure flight in 2020.
I will measure all my work and lifestyle related emissions and publish my carbon emissions for 2020 at the end of the year.
I will double offset those emissions that I have not avoided with Atmosfair.
For 2021, I will reduce my actual carbon emissions by 15% or greater on 2020, and continue to do this year on year.
I will prioritise writing and talking about climate change wherever possible.
I will encourage my industry contacts to also declare and publish their Climate Emergency Plans, starting now…
If you’re reading this, and you work in tourism, please visit Tourism Declares. Over the course of 2020 we’re aiming to encourage and enable as many travel businesses, organisations and individuals as possible to declare a climate emergency, develop and publish their Climate Emergency Plans.
Finally, as one of the two lead co-ordinators for 2020, I’m happy to be contacted any time on info@tourismdeclares.com.
