Why Understanding Emissions in Tourism Matters
Climate change is no longer an abstract concern. For the tourism industry, it has become a real and pressing issue that influences infrastructure, customer preferences, operational costs, and even destination viability. More travelers are making decisions based on sustainability, and regulators are introducing stricter environmental guidelines across markets.
For tourism businesses—whether you run a hotel, operate tours, or manage a restaurant—understanding your greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is the essential first step to building a sustainable and competitive business model. This begins with understanding what causes emissions and how to categorize them using internationally recognized frameworks.
The Climate Action Guide for Tourism Businesses and Destinations by Green Initiative provides a clear, evidence-based path to help businesses assess, track, and reduce emissions at every level of the value chain.
Understanding Scope 1, 2, and 3 Emissions
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) organizes emissions into three distinct categories, known as Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3. This classification helps tourism businesses understand where emissions are generated and where reduction efforts should be concentrated.
Scope 1: Direct Emissions
These are emissions released from sources that are owned or directly controlled by the business. They include:
- Combustion of fuel in company-owned vehicles.
- Use of gas or diesel generators.
- Refrigerant leaks from on-site air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
For example, a hotel that uses gas-powered water heaters or diesel generators is producing Scope 1 emissions.
Scope 2: Indirect Energy Emissions
Scope 2 emissions are those generated from the production of energy that is purchased and consumed by the business. This includes:
- Electricity used for lighting, heating, and cooling.
- Energy used to operate commercial kitchens, office equipment, or industrial laundry machines.
A travel agency that consumes electricity in its office space is responsible for Scope 2 emissions related to the electricity provider’s generation methods.
Scope 3: Other Indirect Emissions
Scope 3 emissions are indirect emissions that occur throughout the value chain but are not directly controlled by the business. These are often the most complex and the most significant in volume. Examples include:
- Guest or customer travel (such as flights or shuttles).
- Production of goods and services purchased (e.g., food, textiles, supplies).
- Waste disposal and wastewater treatment.
- Emissions from third-party providers such as accommodation partners, transportation companies, and suppliers.
For most tourism businesses, Scope 3 emissions represent the largest share of their total carbon footprint.
Emissions by Business Type in Tourism
The Green Initiative guide provides a detailed breakdown of how different types of tourism-related businesses contribute to emissions. Understanding these patterns helps businesses identify their emission hotspots and implement targeted climate actions.
Hotels and Accommodations
Hotels are energy-intensive operations, with emissions originating from various areas:
- Heating and cooling systems contribute to both Scope 1 (on-site fuel use) and Scope 2 (purchased electricity).
- Refrigerants used in air conditioning systems are potent greenhouse gases if leaked.
- Food production and waste management, including methane emissions from organic waste, fall under Scope 3.
- Water usage, especially for guest laundry and cleaning, adds to both environmental and financial costs.
Actionable steps include switching to energy-efficient appliances, training staff on energy-saving practices, offering towel and linen reuse programs, managing food waste, and sourcing products locally.
Tour Operators and Travel Agencies
These businesses may seem less energy-intensive, but emissions can be significant:
- Fuel consumption from owned transportation fleets falls under Scope 1.
- Office operations contribute to Scope 2 emissions.
- The largest impact is often Scope 3, which includes emissions from flights, hotels, activities, and other services sold as part of travel packages.
Key strategies include regenerative tourism, integrating more low-emission transportation options, choosing eco-certified accommodation partners, offering carbon offset options to customers, and consolidating itineraries to reduce intra-destination travel.
Restaurants, Bars, and Hospitality Venues
Hospitality venues have concentrated emissions due to:
- Energy use for cooking, lighting, and refrigeration.
- Refrigerant leakage from cooling systems (Scope 1).
- Emissions embedded in the production of meat, dairy, and imported foods (Scope 3).
- High levels of food waste contributing to methane emissions.
Actions such as sourcing local, plant-based ingredients, optimizing inventory to reduce waste, and transitioning to compostable packaging can significantly lower the carbon footprint.
Retail Shops, Attractions, and Leisure Providers
These entities generate emissions mainly through:
- Electricity use (lighting, electronics, heating or cooling).
- Supply chains for goods sold or used on-site.
- Packaging and waste disposal.
Businesses can improve their environmental performance by choosing sustainable suppliers, minimizing single-use plastics, and offering climate-conscious products and experiences.
How to Start Measuring Your Tourism Emissions
For tourism businesses that want to act, the first step is to measure emissions accurately. The process can be approached in a structured and manageable way:
Step 1: Collect Data
Gather the following data categories:
- Utility bills for electricity and water.
- Receipts for fuel purchases.
- Maintenance records for refrigeration equipment.
- Waste collection invoices.
- Procurement records for food, supplies, and materials.
- Transportation logs for guests, staff, and deliveries.
Step 2: Apply Frameworks
Use internationally accepted frameworks such as:
- The GHG Protocol for comprehensive emissions accounting.
- ISO 14064-1:2018 for verified carbon footprint reporting.
- Sector-specific tools and calculators for tourism operations, such as those developed by Green Initiative.
Step 3: Analyze and Prioritize
Once data is compiled:
- Identify the largest emissions sources.
- Prioritize areas that offer the greatest impact at the lowest cost.
- Set reduction targets and track progress over time.
Business Benefits of Taking Climate Action
Reducing emissions is not just an environmental imperative—it’s a smart business strategy. Companies that adopt climate-positive practices gain a competitive advantage in multiple ways.
Customer Preference
An increasing number of travelers prefer sustainable options. Offering climate-conscious experiences can attract eco-minded customers and enhance brand loyalty.
Cost Reduction
Energy efficiency and waste reduction lead to operational savings. Businesses often see rapid financial returns from installing LED lighting, optimizing refrigeration, or improving water use efficiency.
Compliance and Risk Mitigation
Regulatory frameworks related to emissions and sustainability are expanding globally. Businesses that prepare early will be better positioned to comply with future laws and avoid fines or reputational risk.
Certification and Reputation
Sustainability certifications such as those offered by Green Initiative (Climate Positive, Carbon Neutral and Carbon Measured) enhance credibility, improve visibility in search engines, and are increasingly valued in procurement processes and partnerships.
Moving Beyond Sustainability: The Power of Regenerative Tourism
While reducing emissions and minimizing harm is essential, leading tourism businesses are now embracing a more ambitious vision—regenerative tourism.
Unlike traditional sustainability models that aim to “do less harm,” regenerative tourism is about actively restoring and improving ecosystems, cultures, and communities through tourism activities. It challenges businesses not only to neutralize their impact but to leave destinations better than they were before.
This includes practices such as:
- Supporting ecosystem restoration, such as reforestation or mangrove rehabilitation in destinations visited.
- Designing travel experiences that engage guests in conservation, local education, or community projects.
- Collaborating with indigenous and local communities in ways that promote cultural preservation and economic empowerment.
- Investing in Nature Positive and Climate Positive certifications that go beyond offsetting emissions by contributing directly to regeneration.
Green Initiative’s approach aligns fully with this philosophy, providing pathways for tourism businesses to become genuine stewards of place, not just visitors or service providers.
In a world where travelers are seeking deeper meaning, authenticity, and purpose, regenerative tourism represents not only a moral responsibility—but a strategic advantage – says Yves Hemelryck from the Green Initiative Team.
Final Thoughts: From Awareness to Strategic Action
Understanding your emissions is more than a technical exercise. It is the foundation for meaningful climate action and long-term business success in a rapidly changing world.
By identifying where emissions originate and applying targeted reduction strategies, tourism businesses can play a leading role in building a more resilient and responsible industry—while also improving their operations, finances, and reputation.
Whether your business is just starting its sustainability journey or seeking certification and performance reporting, the most important step is to begin.
Contact us to learn how your tourism business can measure, reduce, and certify its emissions with expert guidance. Our team at Green Initiative is here to support you in becoming Climate and Nature Positive.
Get in touch now at greeninitiative.eco/contact.
