1 August 2024 / Carbon Neutral / 7 Min Read

How UNESCO Designated Sites are Integrating Climate Action

Bonito and Machu Picchu: The Power of Twin UNESCO Designated Sites Pioneering Climate Action in Tourism

In a time where climate change poses significant challenges to our planet, the tourism industry is stepping up to play a crucial role in mitigating its impact through the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism. In this context, two iconic cultural and ecotourism destinations are leading the way in climate action in tourism. Bonito, located in the Brazilian Pantanal and recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and Machu Picchu, situated in the Peruvian Andes and recognized as a UNESCO Mixed World Heritage Site, integrate climate mitigation best practices into their tourism development models.

The results achieved so far, through the climate certification of both destinations, have consistently showcased that through well-informed and pragmatic action, the development of tourism in UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and Mixed World Heritage Sites can go hand in hand with the decarbonization of tourism destinations, generating positive impacts on both the local economy and the climate.

Gustavo Santos, Regional Director for the Americas, World Tourism Organization

Bonito and Machu Picchu: Laboratories for Climate Mitigation Action and Expertise Development

Bonito, located in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2000. Bonito has long been a reference for sustainable tourism, known for its crystal-clear rivers, stunning waterfalls, and rich biodiversity. Similarly, Machu Picchu, the ancient Incan citadel nestled in the Andes Mountains of Peru, was declared a UNESCO Mixed World Heritage Site in 1983.

In collaboration with the Green Initiative, both UNESCO destinations, Bonito and Machu Picchu, have embarked on a transformative journey to net-zero emissions through a rigorous climate-certification process that involves:

  1. Measuring the balance of carbon emissions and carbon capture;
  2. Restoring ecosystems for wildlife habitat recovery and green income opportunities creation for local communities;
  3. Executing concrete climate mitigation actions with a direct impact on carbon emissions reduction and increasing community awareness for a circular economy and climate mitigation;
  4. Offsetting remaining carbon emissions as part of a strategic decarbonization plan.

In 2021, the tourism destination of Bonito had a total of 17,829.42 tCO2eq emissions. Around 51% of its footprint was related to the consumption of fuels by ground mobile sources, such as cars and buses used by tourists in their visits. The second largest emission was the decomposition of solid residues (22.32%), followed by electricity consumption (6.02%). In the development of Bonito’s Climate Action Plan, several actions were defined to address these core emissions, such as stimulating the use of biofuels, conversion and availability of electric vehicles, waste management improvements in the public system, community engagement in the circular economy, and carbon capture enhancements by promoting ecosystems restorations.

On the other hand, in 2022, Machu Picchu successfully reduced its emissions to 7,117.55 tCO2eq, an 18.77% decrease from the 2019 base year. Four processes were implemented to reuse recoverable waste:

  1. A PET plastic and cardboard compactor plant.
  2. A biodiesel plant to process waste oils from restaurants.
  3. An organic waste pyrolysis plant that generates biochar that local farmers use as a substitute for nitrogen fertilizers.
  4. Two glass crushers to turn bottles into sand for construction and ornamentation.

Additionally, electric vehicles were introduced to transport the generated waste, and waste segregation points were established throughout the district, among other actions. The new waste management processes significantly reduced 40.80 tCO2eq, 2.5 times more than in 2019. Carbon capture from ecological restoration, where 6,596 native trees were planted in degraded areas, capturing 5,055.17 tCO2eq, led to a net emission balance of 2,062.38 tCO2eq. Machu Picchu’s carbon footprint has been fully offset with 2,155 carbon credits from the REDD+ Brazil Nut Concessions project by Bosques Amazónicos (BAM), which protects over 600,000 hectares of megadiverse forests and supports more than 800 Amazon Brazil nut harvesting families in Madre de Dios, Peru.

By integrating climate action into their core business models, these destinations are setting new standards for sustainable tourism at UNESCO heritage sites. As Jose Salazar Ríos, Coordinator of the Culture Sector at UNESCO Peru, highlights:

“Machu Picchu, one of the 13 World Heritage sites that Peru has, is an inspiring example of how tourism can be integrated with climate action, thus contributing to the sustainability and conservation of World Heritage.“

Machu Picchu - Reduce Carbon Emission Footprint - Carbon Neutral Climate Certification - Green Initiative

The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism

The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism is a pivotal framework for mobilizing the tourism sector to act decisively on climate change. Launched at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, the Declaration commits signatories to halve emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050 at the latest. By aligning with the pathways to the Paris Agreement, the Declaration provides a clear roadmap for tourism stakeholders to integrate climate action into their business models.

Glasgow Declaration Capacity Building Working Group and Green Initiative 2022

It encourages collaboration across the industry, promoting the sharing of best practices, resources, and innovative solutions to accelerate decarbonization. Bonito and Machu Picchu are exemplary participants in this global movement, demonstrating how UNESCO heritage sites can lead by example in integrating comprehensive climate strategies into their tourism operations. Through initiatives such as these, the Glasgow Declaration aims to unify the tourism industry in the fight against climate change, fostering a collective effort to protect our planet for future generations.

The Power of Twin UNESCO Designated Sites in Climate Mitigation

The collaboration between Bonito and Machu Picchu, as climate-smart twin cities, holds immense potential for climate mitigation and expertise development worldwide. By sharing best practices, resources, and innovative solutions, they can amplify their impact on reducing tourism-related emissions and serve as a reference for other UNESCO Designated Sites worldwide. According to Sofia Gutierrez, Deputy Director of Sustainable Tourism at UN Tourism:

“The experience of Machu Picchu as a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration can be a reference for other tourist destinations in Peru and around the world. In addition to being a natural and cultural treasure, Machu Picchu is also an inspiring example of how the growth of tourism and decarbonization can and should go hand in hand.“

Sofia Gutierrez, Deputy Director of Sustainable Tourism at UN Tourism

Emerging Opportunities

  1. Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Building: Both destinations can benefit from exchanging knowledge on sustainable tourism practices, carbon footprint measurement, and effective mitigation strategies. Joint workshops, training programs, and conferences can enhance the capacity of local stakeholders to implement and sustain low-emissions tourism initiatives.
  2. Shared Research and Innovation: Collaborative research projects can explore innovative solutions for reducing tourism emissions. These include developing new technologies for waste management, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation. Bonito and Machu Picchu can become innovation hubs in low-emissions tourism by pooling resources and expertise.
  3. Community Engagement and Empowerment: Engaging local communities in climate action is crucial for the success of sustainable tourism initiatives. Both destinations can work together to empower residents through education, training, and participation in decision-making processes. This ensures that the benefits of low-emissions tourism are shared equitably and contribute to the well-being of local communities.
  4. Global Network Development: Facilitate widespread collaboration and information sharing among UNESCO Designated Sites. The network will promote adopting sustainable tourism practices and climate action strategies, fostering a collective effort to address global environmental challenges. Through this Global Network, member sites will have access to a unified platform for exchanging best practices, resources, and innovative solutions, thereby enhancing their capacity to drive sustainable tourism development on a global scale.

Final Reflections

Bonito, as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and Machu Picchu, as a UNESCO Mixed World Heritage Site, both as Carbon Neutral destinations, can provide the tourism industry significant insights into the fight against climate change. Their reinforcement of bilateral collaboration as climate-smart twin cities holds the potential to drive substantial progress in decarbonizing tourism and promoting sustainable development both locally and worldwide. By working together, they can inspire other destinations to follow suit, creating a ripple effect that contributes to a more sustainable and resilient planet. As we look to the future, Bonito’s and Machu Picchu’s partnership serves as a testament to the power of collaboration in addressing the pressing challenges of climate change. Together, they are preserving their natural and cultural heritage and paving the way for a new era of low-emissions tourism.

Written by Erika Rumiche, from the Green Initiative team.