Cliffs of Moher, Ireland – Image: EarthCheck
The Brisbane, Australia based EarthCheck Research Institute’s latest paper, Tourism and the Road to Net Zero: Why Destinations Must Act Now, provides a practical, research-backed guide to help destinations turn ambition into measurable progress. Authored by Professor Susanne Becken and Dr Johanna Loehr, the new report is drawing on the latest global science and real-world examples, it outlines how destinations can act decisively to reduce emissions, strengthen resilience and secure their long-term competitiveness.
A leading voice in sustainable tourism, lead author Professor Becken was the founding Director of the Griffith Institute for Tourism, a contributing author to two Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Reports and recipient of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Ulysses Prize. She has advised governments, global tourism bodies and industry leaders on the science and policy of climate action in tourism.
Why destinations matter in the race to net zero
The paper explains that limiting global warming to 1.5°C requires global emissions to fall by 43 per cent by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 – goals that will only be met if every sector, including tourism, plays its part.
For destinations, this means turning broad climate targets into place-based strategies that address local emission sources such as accommodation, transport and visitor activities, while protecting the natural systems that support them.
Destinations are described as pivotal to climate action in tourism because they sit between global frameworks and local actors, enabling coordinated, practical solutions. As Professor Becken notes, destinations are “uniquely positioned to leverage networks, foster peer learning and mobilise communities,” helping to translate scientific goals into measurable, on-the-ground outcomes.
Queensland Rainforest, Australia – Image: EarthCheck
The business case for action
Stewart Moore, CEO of EarthCheck, says the paper highlights the growing need for destinations to act decisively on climate risks.
“For destinations, climate leadership is no longer just an environmental imperative, it’s also a strategic advantage,” he says. “Our latest paper makes it clear that decisive action today can help to protect destinations from carbon costs, tightening regulatory demands and increasing physical climate risks. At the same time, it opens the door to greater operational efficiency, reduced costs and stronger brand credibility.”
“The tourism sector stands at a crossroads. Across the globe, rising temperatures, extreme weather and biodiversity loss are disrupting the very landscapes and experiences that attract travellers in the first place. At the same time, tourism itself contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. This tension sits at the heart of tourism’s most urgent challenge – how to decarbonise while continuing to thrive.”
The paper underscores that climate action strengthens competitiveness in a market where travellers and investors alike are demanding visible, credible sustainability performance. Proactive adaptation and decarbonisation deliver a strong return on investment, and position destinations to thrive in a changing climate.
Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia – Image: EarthCheck
From commitments to measurable progress
The paper outlines clear steps for destinations to move from pledges to practical outcomes – starting with internal alignment, stakeholder engagement and the development of Net Zero Roadmaps.
It also includes examples from destinations worldwide that are already taking meaningful action, demonstrating that progress is both possible and beneficial.
Ultimately, the paper makes a compelling case that the journey to net zero is not only a technical challenge but a leadership opportunity. By acting now, destinations can safeguard their future, strengthen community resilience and contribute to a global effort that benefits people and planet alike.
Visit EarthCheck to explore the science, strategy and pathways that will help destinations lead the way to net zero.
(NAN/EarthCheck 26-11-25)
You might also like:
COP 30: This year’s climate talks saw real progress – just not on fossil fuels
Expectations were low for this year’s United Nations climate talks in Belém, Brazil. The United States’ retreat from climate action cast a long shadow. At the talks, China showed little interest in stepping up. But despite this, progress was made on protecting weiterlesen…
