COP29 – Travel and tourism takes a stand in Baku

For the first time at a COP gathering, tourism was given a dedicated thematic day. This historic event, held on November 20th, saw more than 700 stakeholders take part, and resulted in the launch of the Baku Declaration on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism. This declaration calls on governments and industry stakeholders to:

• Integrate tourism into national climate plans – Countries are encouraged to include tourism in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and national adaptation plans.
• Measure and reduce emissions – The declaration emphasizes the need for standardized measurement of tourism’s carbon footprint and the adoption of decarbonization strategies.
• Invest in climate resilience – Protecting tourism destinations from the impacts of climate change is crucial, and the declaration encourages investment in adaptation and resilience measures.
• Promote sustainable tourism practices – This includes supporting sustainable transport, protecting biodiversity, and empowering local communities.

COP29 and the Baku Declaration send a clear message – the travel and tourism industry must play a leading role in tackling climate change. Innovation is crucial, and technology and collaboration were called out as key to decarbonizing the sector. For Sabre, this is significant. There is a real opportunity for us contribute, mainly by developing and promoting sustainable travel solutions. This includes offering technology that helps our customers reduce their environmental impact and promotes sustainable travel options to travelers.

The opportunity is gaining momentum; we can use our voice and our unique position at the center of the travel industry to support policies that promote sustainable tourism and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.