Research and Policy for Climate Change and Tourism Susanne Becken 25th 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 governmentsponsored 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 Tourism www.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% i) Change in value of return flights of UK visitors to NZ (excl value of APD tax) -2.9% ii) Change in value of NZ tourism exports - UK visitors -1.9% iii) Change in value of NZ tourism exports - non-UK visitors 0.003% iv) Change in value of NZ tourism exports - all visitors -0.31% v) Change in NZ real GDP -0.013% 10% -5.6% -3.7% 0.006% -0.60% -0.025% 15% -8.1% -5.4% 0.009% -0.89% -0.037% 20% -10.5% -7.1% 0.012% -1.16% -0.048% It is strongly recommended to undertake a full analysis with sensitivity tests as outlined above in the text. Any questions For more information www.leap.ac.nz