Trend: travelling in harmony with nature

WTTC – World Travel & Tourism Council, in collaboration with the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, has just published its latest report dedicated to the protection of nature and biodiversity and how the tourism sector should interact with these issues.

This report aims to help stakeholders in the Travel & Tourism sector understand and act on the urgent need to protect biodiversity and nature. It is aimed at all companies that wish to strategically understand and manage their impact on biodiversity. The sector’s survival depends on nature and biodiversity, and it can be a catalyst for change beyond Travel & Tourism. A Nature Positive approach is vital for people and planet and can be the cornerstone of a sound business strategy and sustainable growth for the sector.

The Business Case for Nature:

• More than 80% of the value of Travel & Tourism goods and services is highly dependent on nature – from the demand for raw materials to the popularity of nature-based tourism;
• Nature plays an essential role in climate change mitigation and adaptation, with more biodiverse habitats typically storing more carbon and being more resilient to climate change;
• An Economist Intelligence Unit survey found that over 90% of people, across the world, are concerned about the loss of animal and plant species;
• Businesses around the world are likely to be required to assess and disclose impact and dependencies on biodiversity, and report on actions to avoid or minimise harmful practices and to protect biodiversity and restore nature;
• Travel & Tourism businesses are supportive of a Nature Positive agenda but there is limited understanding of the fundamental concepts and what actions are necessary to put a Nature Positive commitment into practice;
• Travel & Tourism should adopt the Nature Positive approach as an integral part of business, working with destination partners and suppliers to halt any exploitation or degradation of the natural world while undertaking and enabling additional actions to restore nature.

Access the full study: Nature Positive Travel & Tourism