facing the challenge of climate change

International tourism is the largest and most rapidly expanding

industry in the world. Many of the most

popular tourist destinations depend

heavily on the natural environment for

their appeal: coastal resorts, tropical

rainforests, wildlife safaris and alpine ski

resorts, for example, all rely on a mixture

of natural beauty, good weather and safe

conditions to attract holiday-makers.

Whether you prefer a package deal,

an exotic “no news-no shoes” adventure,

skiing, winter sunshine or ecotourism,

holidays have become an essential part

of our lives. In the UK they are one of

our most costly items of expenditure,

with an average package holiday at home

costing 70p per household per week,

and £8.10 per household per week for

a package holiday overseas. As well as

the more popular short-haul flights –

for example to Spain, Greece and Turkey

– more tourists are now flocking to long-

haul destinations.

many of the most popular tourist destinations depend heavily on the natural environment for their appeal

J M

AIER

, STI

LL P

ICTU

RES

The tourism industry’s heavy reliance

on the local environment to sell holidays

means that it could face serious challenges

as a result of climate change. Global

and regional temperatures are rising.

The hottest year of the millennium was

1998 and the 1990s was the warmest

decade. Climate models suggest a future

warming of 0.2 – 0.3°C per decade and

sea-levels are expected to rise at a rate of

4 to 10cm per decade. While the impacts

of global warming on tourism will vary,

it is already clear that small island states

such as the Maldives in the Indian Ocean,

an increasingly popular tourist destination,

will be particularly vulnerable to sea-

level rise.

Climate change is also expected to

increase the risk of illness in several parts

of the world and this may lead to a falling-

o∆ of tourism. More frequent periods

of extreme heat will cause discomfort

in many eastern Mediterranean resorts,

where the number of days above 40°C

is expected to increase. A decline in cloud

cover in Australia will increase exposure

to the sun’s harmful rays and malaria

is likely to re-emerge in Spain, the most

popular destination for British package

holiday-makers.

Winter tourism may also be a∆ected,

as the Alps and other European skiing

destinations experience less snowfall and

shorter skiing seasons. These impacts will

be especially pronounced in lower-lying

ski resorts such as Kitzbühel in Austria,

and in places where commercial ventures

are already marginal, such as the Scottish

Highlands.

Tour operators and countries that rely

on tourism for foreign revenue will need

to take into account the potential impacts

of climate change when planning new

resorts or upgrading their present facilities.

Facing the challenge of climate change

the hottest year of the millennium was 1998 and the 1990s was the warmest decade

DIG

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031

329

Tourism is not just a potential victim

of global warming: it also contributes to

the causes of climate change. For example,

air travel is the fastest growing source

of greenhouse gas emissions and therefore

increases the risk of continued global

warming. From 594 million international

travellers in 1996, numbers are forecast

to leap to 702 million by next year, 1,018

million by 2010 and 1,600 million in

2020. As a consequence, the role of air

travel within the industry is also likely

to expand and cause considerable

environmental damage.

from 594 million international travellers in 1996, numbers are forecast to leap to 702 million by next year

Tourism – part of the problem

DIG

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a total of 396,000 tourists visited the islands in 1998

The Maldives The Maldives are an archipelago of

about 1,190 coral atolls which themselves

comprise numerous small islands, of which

nearly 200 are inhabited. The climate

is hot and humid, and the Maldives’

relatively empty, palm-fringed beaches

make the area a paradise destination for

more and more European tourists. The

islands’ attractions also include multi-

coloured coral formations spread

throughout 74 island resorts.

During the 1980s, tourism in the

Maldives became one of the most

important and highest growth sectors of

the economy. It is now the backbone of

the economy, accounting for about 18 per

cent of GDP and more than 60 per cent of

foreign exchange receipts. Over 90 per cent

of government tax revenue comes from

import duties and tourism-related taxes.

A total of 396,000 tourists visited the

islands in 1998, of which 85 per cent were

from western Europe. The UK is the third

most important source region after

Germany and Italy.

Rising seasThe low elevation of the Maldives makes

the archipelago extremely vulnerable to

sea level rise. Many of the islands are less

than one metre above sea-level. As the

world’s oceans heat up, they expand – and

this causes sea levels to rise between 4cm

and 10cm every 10 years. At best, a rise

in sea level would cause coastal erosion

in the Maldives, and at worst a sizeable

proportion of the landmass could become

submerged over the next 30 years.

The higher the sea level, the more

frequently these small islands will be

overwashed by storms. The consequent

dangers of salt water intruding into local

aquifers may lead to many islands

becoming uninhabitable. This unique

archipelago, which many tourists view

as the ultimate “get-away-from-it-all”

location, could soon become quite literally

out of reach.

Threatened coral reefsThe islands of the Maldives are founded

upon natural coral reefs that have built

up around the rim of a chain of ancient

volcanoes. The reefs provide protection

and stability to the islands, are home

to a great biological diversity of marine

ecosystems and have become a very

important tourist attraction. Warmer

oceans, as well as higher CO2 concen-

trations in the water, already constitute

a real threat to the reefs.

In 1997 and 1998, sea surface

temperatures were the highest on record.

The coral bleaching associated with this

rise impacted on almost all species of coral,

and had a devastating e∆ect on the reefs.

Tourism is expected to double in the near

future. Forty per cent of tourists visiting

the Maldives do so for diving experiences.

The total cost to the global economy of

losing 58 per cent of the world’s coral

reefs has been estimated as $140 billion

and the costs for the Maldives would

be considerable.

C HA

RVEY

, WW

F-UK

H CL

ARK,

WW

F-UK

tourism is important to the economy of Alpine countries

The AlpsThe Alps are not only one of the primary

European winter holiday destinations for

skiers, but are also a popular destination

for summer walking holidays. The

mountains are located between temperate

latitudes and the Mediterranean

subtropics, and between oceanic and

continental Europe. They exhibit a great

range of climatic conditions, with virtually

every Alpine valley having a unique local

climate. Although temperate, the Alps

become very cold in winter because of

the high altitude.

Tourism is important to the economy

of many Alpine countries. For example,

it is Austria’s largest industry, accounting

for 7.4 per cent of GDP in 1997 – the

highest share among all OECD countries.

However, the industry has been in decline

for the past five years. Similarly, winter

tourism in the Swiss Alps has endured

several consecutive years of losses.

The threat to low-lying resortsIt is expected that as temperatures rise,

there will be a considerable shortening

of the snow season as well as reduced

snowfall. In many areas

this reduction may be as

much as 30 per cent by

the 2020s and more than

50 per cent by the 2050s.

Models of snow cover

duration and a set of

regional climate change

scenarios show a decline

in the number of days

of snow cover, especially

for low-altitude resorts

(less than 1,400m).

Examples include Garmisch-

Partenkirchen, Bavaria’s best-known ski

resort, and Kitzbühel, an Austrian resort

particularly popular with British skiers.

By 2050 the period of complete snow

cover in Kitzbühel is expected to fall from

76 to 53 days in the winter, and from 24

to almost no days in the spring.

It is likely that higher-altitude ski resorts

will come under increasing pressure as

their lower-lying counterparts become less

commercially viable. Lower-lying resorts

are already having to diversify into other

holiday activities.

U CO

LLIE

R, W

WF-

UK

D SOUTHERN, WWF-UK

D S

OU

THER

N, W

WF-

UK

Greece and Turkey are extremely

popular tourist destinations. Greece

is a peninsular country with an

archipelago of about 2,000 islands,

some of which have seen extensive

tourist development. There, tourism

is one of the biggest foreign-exchange

earners. But growing competition from

newer and more exotic destinations

elsewhere in the world led to a fall

in visitor numbers in 1996 and 1997.

Turkey’s Aegean coastline is growing

in popularity, with a 30 per cent increase

in the number of visitors forecast for next

year. Tourists are attracted by the warm

spring and the hot, dry summer climate,

fine beaches and ancient monuments.

The heat is onGreece and Turkey

enjoy mild winters and

long hot summers, with

maximum temperatures

often exceeding 40°C. It

is likely that the mean

summer temperature

will rise by more than

4°C by the middle of

the 21st century. More frequent summer

temperatures above 40°C will reduce

personal comfort and could lead to more

heat stress and associated mortality.

Coinciding with school holidays,

August is the most popular month for

tourist travel to Greece and Turkey, but

climate change may alter that. Instead,

holiday-makers may opt to take their

breaks earlier or later in the year,

particularly since climate models suggest

that June in 2020 will be as warm as July,

August and September 2000. Alternatively,

people may simply travel elsewhere.

While beach resorts may still be

bearable thanks to sea breezes, Athens will

become decidedly uncomfortable. During

the last 20 years, the capital has endured

very high temperatures which have led to

many heat-stress incidents. Athens attracts

a large number of tourists, but fewer

people will want to go there in the summer

if temperatures rise even further and

sightseeing becomes a very uncomfortable

experience. Smog is another big problem,

not only in Athens but elsewhere in the

eastern Mediterranean during hot spells.

Other detrimental impacts are likely to

include further water supply restrictions

and forest fires.

climate models suggest that June in 2020 will be as warm as July, August and September 2000

The easternMediterranean

D LA

WSO

N, W

WF-

UK

C GU

ARIT

A, S

TILL

PIC

TURE

S

D LA

WSO

N, W

WF-

UK

South-eastern Spain

South-eastern Spain has some of the

most popular destinations for tourists

from the UK and other European

countries: Benidorm, Malaga and Marbella,

for example, on the south coast. Tourism

employs 9.5 per cent of the workforce in

Spain and is treated by the government as

a key economic sector with good prospects.

Spain’s climate at present provides

the ideal antidote to northern European

weather: warm summers, a lot of sunshine,

low rainfall and mild winters. But climate

change will bring with it a likely rise in

temperatures – for example, September

in 2050 may well be as warm as a present-

day July. The indications are that rainfall

will not change significantly, so the

summer months will remain very dry,

with a resulting pressure on water supply.

Malaria on the Spanish coastsSpain is a friendly, easily accessible, at

present no-risk destination. There is no

need for immunisation against diseases

such as malaria and

yellow fever – but malaria

has re-surfaced in Spain

and it is estimated that

changes in climate will

result in parts of the

country becoming

a suitable habitat for

particular species of

mosquito by the 2020s.

Malaria, the world’s

largest killer, is spread

by a number of mosquito

species that are extremely

temperature-dependent

with sharp thermal

gradients. At present the

mosquito and parasite are

found in north Africa –

not far away.

Other impacts of climate change

in Spain are likely to include flash floods,

heat stress and more forest fires. Forest

fires are a serious problem in the

Mediterranean basin.

Their environmental

consequences have

compelled coastal

countries to make

tremendous e∆orts

to prevent and

extinguish fires.

The worst situation

is precipitated by

hot, dry and windy

conditions, when fires become enormous

and dangerous. According to the Spanish

Forestry Service ICONA, between 1985

and 1994 almost 250,000 hectares were

burnt. In recent years following periods

of extreme dryness, the number of forest

fires has increased. Now, large areas of

forest and parkland may be closed o∆ to

summer visitors.

Spain is a friendly, easily accessible, no-risk destination

R WILMSHURST, FLPA

J PL

ANT,

WW

F-UK

B SILVESTRIS, FLPA

Scotland

Well-known for its mountains and scenery,

Scotland occupies about a third of

mainland Britain. Much of the UK’s

upland and highest peaks are in Scotland

but its weather is not high on the list of

tourist attractions. Indeed in a Scottish

Tourist Board survey, the weather was

listed as a major complaint.

However, tourism is one of Scotland’s

major industries. As an all year-round

destination, Scotland attracts tourists from

around the world as well as from all over

the UK. Tourism and leisure activities

significantly contribute to the country’s

economy, directly providing more than

155,000 jobs. Visitors come for winter

skiing, mountain climbing, hill walking,

water sports and golf.

Warmer weather and fewer frostsScotland’s weather, and in particular its

snowfall, is highly variable. In recent years,

an increase in the vigour and frequency

of westerly air currents has reduced the

frequency of winter frosts and days

with snow cover. In winter, there

has also been a reduction in the

mean daily hours of bright sunshine

in western regions. Future changes

in Scotland’s climate will result

in warmer summers and winters,

accompanied by a more active

hydrological cycle and increased

precipitation. Temperature trends

will govern whether this precipitation

falls as snow or rain.

The end of skiing in Scotland?While Scotland cannot compete with

the Alps as a destination for skiing

holidays, it is nevertheless popular

with British holiday-makers. The main

ski resorts are at Aonoch Mor, Glencoe,

Glenshee, the Lecht and Cairngorm.

Suµcient snow cover is far from certain

even in the present climate. If the warming

trend continues, the viability of the

Scottish skiing industry will undoubtedly

be at risk.

Estimates of increased rainfall will

impact upon other outdoor activities.

Hikers in Scotland already expect a certain

amount of rain but a further increase may

make potential hikers think twice about

heading north. It may well also make

golfing less attractive.

as an all year-round destination, Scotland attracts tourists from around the world

P J

BANK

S, W

WF-

UK

D GA

RCIA

, STI

LL P

ICTU

RES

The European LakesLakes such as those in Switzerland

and Hungary are the playground for

Europe’s water sports enthusiasts. Pleasure

cruising, canoeing, wind-surfing, water-

skiing and sailing facilities abound along

the shores of Lakes Geneva and Zürich in

Switzerland and Lake Batalon in Hungary.

More than 400,000 British tourists visited

Switzerland in 1998 and 3.2 million

people from all over the world visited

Zürich alone. The lakes are an important

source of tourism revenue.

Tourism has rapidly expanded in

Hungary and is now an important source

of income. Lake Batalon is not only the

largest freshwater lake in central and

eastern Europe, but it is also the most

important tourist destination in Hungary

after Budapest. In 1994 nearly 2.5 million

tourists took advantage of its boating,

bathing and fishing facilities and spent

more than half a million US dollars in

the process.

Feeling the heat on highHowever, the high-altitude locations that

make Europe’s large lakes so attractive

to tourists also make them extremely

vulnerable to climate change. This

phenomenon already threatens many

of the world’s freshwater ecosystems and

the wildlife and recreational activities

they support. Shallow lakes, such as Lake

Batalon which has an average depth of

two or three metres, respond quickly to

an increase in temperature. And current

climate models suggest that both

Switzerland and Hungary can expect

hotter and drier summers.

The resulting changes in water level

could have an adverse impact on the local

tourist industry. Fixed waterfront facilities

such as marinas will be particularly

vulnerable to any change in the level of

the lake. A decrease in water level coupled

with higher temperatures may result

in greater concentrations of pollution

including algal blooms along the shore

which could discourage water sports. Lakes

of all sizes could be a∆ected. Small rivers

and streams are also vulnerable and this

could have an impact on sports fishing

– angling being the most popular sport

in Britain, incidentally.

current climate models suggest that both Switzerland and Hungary can expect hotter and drier summers

B SI

LVES

TRIS

, FLP

A

D SO

UTHE

RN, W

WF-

UK

For many years the game parks of east

and South Africa have been popular tourist

destinations. Tourism is one of Kenya’s

top two foreign exchange earners: in

1993 nearly 1.5 million people visited

its national parks and game reserves and

half the earnings from its tourist industry

can be attributed to its wildlife. Tanzania

has a huge potential for wildlife-related

tourism, with nearly 26 per cent of its land

– including the world famous Serengeti

National Park – set aside as protected or

conservation areas. Meanwhile in South

Africa, tourism is the sector benefiting

the most from the end of apartheid with

overseas visitor numbers growing by

more than 50 per cent each year. Once

again, wildlife reserves are a chief

attraction for tourists.

These countries already have very

variable climates. Heavy rains and

droughts are not uncommon but there

has been an increase in the frequency

of droughts in the 1990s and a decrease

in rainfall during the past 20 years. These

changes in climate could have significant

impacts on the tourism industries of

Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa, which

depend on their wildlife populations.

Greater frequency of extreme weather

conditions such as flooding and droughts

could also have an impact on tourism,

as could subtle changes in the timing of

seasons. The wildlife of the Lake Manyara

National Park and the Masai Mara Game

Reserve is closely connected to the seasons.

More than 350 bird species found in Lake

Manyara National Park are seasonal

visitors. Changes in temperature, and to

the level and water quality of the lake as

a result of climate change, could alter the

migration and breeding patterns of birds

and other wildlife reliant on the lake.

Flamingos, for instance, have deserted

some habitats altogether. They are highly

sensitive to changes in environmental

conditions.

The annual migration of wildebeest,

zebra and antelope from Serengeti is

one of the main attractions of the Masai

Mara Game Reserve. As the distribution

of grass and vegetation changes with

altered patterns of rains, migration will

also shift. But migration patterns may

not be the only change. The distribution

of wildlife in general could alter as a

result of increased drought and changed

temperatures, potentially causing havoc

to Africa’s system of protected areas which

are based on wildlife distribution. Some

of the world’s already endangered animals

could face new pressures as they try to

move out of protected areas in search

of the right environment.

The infrastructure supporting these

tourist activities could also be put under

pressure. Heavy rains

and flooding can

already leave roads

and bridges in Lake

Manyara and Masai

Mara impassable. When

this happens, tourist

visits and revenue fall.

greater frequency of extreme weather conditions such as flooding and droughts could have an impact on tourism

East and South Africa

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RICK

, WW

F-UK

GLAX

O, W

WF-

UK

AustraliaAustralia’s environment is one of

enormous variety. The rainforests in the

subtropical north give way to the often

parched Outback, which in turn submits to

the cooler regions of the south. Thanks to

its climate, Australia has enormous appeal

for anyone looking for an outdoor holiday.

The Great Barrier Reef, the Blue

Mountains, water sports and skiing in

the Australian Alps

attracted more than

four million tourists

in 1996, earning the

country some 11.5

billion Australian

dollars. This important

revenue earner also

employs around

700,000 people.

Tourism on the Great

Barrier Reef earns Queensland $1.5 billion

and next year is expected to break all

records as visitors arrive for the

millennium celebrations and the Sydney

2000 Olympic Games.

A continuing warming trend may have

several knock-on e∆ects in the Australian

tourist industry. For example, the country’s

snowfields are small and have a short

and variable season. The Australian Alps

presently enjoy a winter snow cover

lasting from a few weeks at the lower

elevation sites to up to four months at

the higher elevation ski resorts. This snow

cover supports major cross-country and

downhill skiing activities which could

be threatened if global warming reduces

natural snowfall. Australian ski resorts

could lose 44 per cent of their skiers if

winters with little natural snow became

more common. And it is not only winter

sports that could be a∆ected. Australia’s

only alpine and sub-alpine mammal, the

mountain pygmy possum, is already

endangered and will be

put further at risk if its

habitats shrink further.

The Great Barrier

Reef, the world’s largest

coral reef, could also

feel the heat. Recent

scientific reports

suggest that coral

bleaching is linked to

global warming. This would be

catastrophic for its tropical marine

ecosystems and the tourist industry

built around them.

Australia – a health warningSome health impacts of climate change

in Australia will be immediate – not

least death or illness due to heatwaves

or bushfires. Other health impacts such

as a rise in insect-borne diseases may

become more common. And as cloud

cover decreases, there will be increased

exposure to harmful ultra-violet rays

which cause skin cancer.

thanks to its climate, Australia has enormous appeal for anyone looking for an outdoor holiday

M R

AUTK

ARI,

WW

F-UK

D SOUTHERN, WWF-UK

N M

ORRI

SON,

WW

F-UK

Tourism is the second largest industry

in the US, contributing $746 billion to

the economy and employing 14.4 million

people a year. America’s coastal states are

the biggest attractions, earning 85 per cent

of tourism revenue. Tourism is Florida’s

biggest industry, thanks to its warm

climate and fine beaches which attract

tourists all year round. The Keys are a

particular mecca, while the Everglades and

Ten Thousand Islands attract ecotourists.

Tourists to Florida’s reefs contribute $1.6

billion annually to the economy. Florida

is the number one long-haul destination

for UK holiday-makers and in 1997,

1.3 million Britons visited the state.

In Maryland, Barrier Islands such as

the Assateague are essentially recreational

communities. The Assateague, an unin-

habited island created by sand, hosts

legendary herds of wild horses which roam

the marshlands. The Atlantic coasts of

Delaware and Maryland o∆er swimming,

sunbathing, surf fishing, boating, deep sea

fishing, surfing, skimboarding, dolphin

watching and walking. But this area may

be threatened by sea-level rise, erosion

and storm damage on the ocean side

and warming waters on the side facing the

coast. Coastal wetlands are already eroding

in Maryland and beach “re-nourishment”

– the replacement of large

quantities of sand – has

been prominent in heavily

developed areas such

as Ocean City.

Sea-level rise may be of

particular concern to Florida,

since so much recreational

and tourist activity is

concentrated along its coasts,

beaches and islands – many of which

are vulnerable to erosion. A number

of ecologically important wetlands, such

as the Everglades and some coastal areas,

may also be under considerable threat.

Coral bleaching caused by warmer seas

may also have a major adverse impact

on Florida’s big money-earner.

Florida is the number one long-haul destination for UK holiday-makers

Florida and the south-east coastline of the USH

D BR

ANDL

, FLP

A

G MARCOALDI, FLPA

DIGITAL VISION 118066

Brazil

Brazil’s dense tropical rainforest and

famous beaches, such as the Copacabana

in Rio de Janeiro, are proving increasingly

popular with the world’s holiday-makers.

Tourism generated $12 billion in 1997,

two-thirds coming from domestic

travellers, and it is widely regarded as the

economic sector with the most promising

future. About 3.5 million foreigners visited

Brazil in 1998, a figure that is growing

by seven per cent a year.

Outside Rio, other attractions are the

Iguaçu Falls, the tropical forest of the

Amazon Basin, the wildlife of the Panatela

and the beaches

of Salvador, Natal

and Fortaleza in

the north-east

coastal area. Brazil

recently launched

a $200 million

programme to

develop ecological

tourism in the Amazon and while

ecotourism is seen as a novelty, its

potential in Brazil is enormous. Only

1 per cent of the country’s vast potential

is being explored. The Amazon region

accounts for around 60 per cent of that

potential, followed by the Pantanal

wetlands in the centre-west of Brazil.

Brazil’s rainforests are already under

serious threat from deforestation, and

climate change could cause further stress

to this delicate and threatened ecosystem.

Recent climate modelling suggests that

increases in temperature, coupled with

reduced rainfall, would see a considerable

reduction in the rainforest region of

Amazonia. These models do not take into

account the continuing forest degradation

caused by logging. A loss of this magnitude

and disturbance to the natural ecosystem

could have profound e∆ects on the

biodiversity of Amazonia and the

surrounding regions.

Brazil’s dense tropical rainforest and famous beaches are increasingly popular with the world’s holiday-makers

N M

ORRI

SON,

WW

F-UK

E PA

RKER

, WW

F-UK

N MORRISON, WWF-UK

WWF works to reconcile the needs of people with the conservation of the natural environment upon which they depend

WWF believes that urgent action must

be taken now by governments, individuals,

business and industry – including the

tourism industry – to reduce the threat

of global warming. WWF works to

improve the environment, and campaigns

for governments worldwide to meet, and

ideally go beyond, the commitments they

made at the Kyoto climate change summit

in 1997.

As one of the world’s

largest industries,

and one that heavily

depends on the climate

and environment for

its success, the tourism

industry itself must

take action to reduce

its contribution to

global greenhouse gas

emissions. For example,

improving the energy eµciency of

buildings in existing and newly-built

resorts, and where possible using

electricity from renewable energy supplies,

would make a di∆erence. Transport to,

from and around resorts is another key

area where changes can be made, and

operators should be encouraged to

incorporate public transport and cycling

infrastructures into their resort plans.

In the UK, WWF lobbies the government

to take immediate action to implement

policies and measures to meet its target of

a 20 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions

by 2010.

We believe that the following actions will

help that target to be reached:

■ Changes to the UK’s energy policy must

be introduced, so that a shift takes place

from fossil fuels to renewable sources

of energy such as wind, sea and solar

power. This will need to be coupled with

changes to planning procedures and

laws, so that more opportunities for

renewable energy sources can be

developed.

■ Energy companies should be required

to obtain an increasing proportion of

their supply from renewable sources,

and to o∆er more comprehensive

energy eµciency programmes to

their customers.

■ The proposed climate change levy

– a business energy tax – should

be introduced swiftly. A substantial

proportion of the proceeds should

be used to provide energy eµciency

incentives to small and medium-sized

enterprises.

■ More stringent eµciency standards

and a compulsory energy rating scheme

should be employed in the building

sector.

■ Substantial new investment in

public transport is imperative, together

with a much improved infrastructure

for cyclists and pedestrians. Road

and car parking charges should help

finance this.

■ Support needs to be created for an inter-

national (or at least a European Union)

aviation fuel tax.

■ The issue of comparatively low energy

prices in the UK domestic sector needs

to be addressed because these are a

deterrent to energy eµciency improve-

ments. A domestic energy levy could

be used to provide energy eµciency

incentives. Low-income families could

be given compensatory payments to

avoid negative social impacts.

■ VAT should be reduced on all energy

eµciency materials.

WWF’s recommendations

M J

ACKS

ON, S

TILL

PIC

TURE

S

D JONES, WWF-UK

the tourism industry itself must take action to reduce its contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions

WWF-UK

Panda House

Weyside Park

Godalming

Surrey GU7 1XR

Telephone: 01483 426444

Fax: 01483 426409

Website: www.wwf-uk.org

This publication is based on

Climate change and its impactson tourism, a report prepared

for WWF-UK by David Viner

and Maureen Agnew, Climatic

Research Unit, University of

East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ

July 1999

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UKWWF aims to conserve nature and

ecological processes by:

■ preserving genetic, species andecosystem diversity;

■ ensuring that the use of renewableresources is sustainable both nowand in the longer term, for the benefit of all life on Earth;

■ promoting actions to reduce pollution and the wasteful exploitation andconsumption of resources and energy.

WWF’s ultimate goal is to stop, andeventually reverse, the acceleratingdegradation of our planet’s naturalenvironment, and to help build a future inwhich humans live in harmony with nature.