Tourism and climate: Can technology save us?
The climate crisis is urgent. While travel is a small part of the problem, it plays a significant role in the larger challenge. If we’re serious about reducing emissions in the travel sector, we need to acknowledge that current solutions are only steps in the right direction. They aren’t final answers, and they can’t be the only focus. Technology and innovation must be the primary drivers of change, especially when it comes to transportation.
Today: Steps & Experiments, Not Solutions
Many of the current approaches to reducing emissions in travel, biofuels, offsetting, smart route planning, have limited impact. Biofuels, though marketed as eco-friendly, are expensive, resource-intensive, and require vast areas of land. For instance, to produce enough SAF to replace all UK domestic aviation fuel with biomass-based SAF could require 5-7 million hectares (12-17 million acres) of land, about the size of the UK. Offsetting programs, often seen as solutions, have proven ineffective and sometimes result in more emissions, not fewer.
Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), promoted as cleaner alternatives to conventional fuels, still rely on combustion, releasing CO2 into the atmosphere. SAFs are more of a mitigation tool than a true solution to aviation’s carbon emissions. They are part of the "bookkeeping path" toward emissions reduction, but they don’t address the core issue: ongoing carbon emissions from air travel.
Investing in Transportation
The biggest opportunity for reducing travel-related emissions isn’t in destination infrastructure, but in the travel to and from those locations. This is where the majority of investment should go. While advancements like clean aviation fuels and next-gen trains show promise, they need substantial investment and time to scale. It’s not just about refining the travel experience once we arrive, it’s about minimizing the environmental impact of the journey itself. If we can’t do that, we should focus on reducing travel volume significantly.
Some technologies that can make travel more sustainable, like clean aviation fuels, efficient propulsion systems, and energy-efficient trains are all in development. They can reduce carbon footprints without burdening travelers. However, these shifts require significant funding and a long-term vision to come to fruition.
The Need for Investment in Clean Tech
Currently, the travel industry often focuses on localized solutions or incremental changes. But the real change lies in how we approach the journey itself. Solar power, wind energy, and next-gen propulsion systems can power sustainable travel solutions, provided enough resources are directed toward these innovations.
The case for increased investment is clear. The technology exists, but the question is whether we are ready to scale these solutions to meet the challenge. Without significant commitment to clean technology, we risk continuing down the path of ineffective steps that don’t make the required impact.
There is Gap Between Ambition and Action (or pretending)
An example, Equinor, Norway’s oil giant. Years ago, they rebranded to focus on renewables, but the reality is far from their ambitious claims. Only 0.13% of their investments are actually in renewables, a stark contrast to the scale of change needed. This gap between ambition and action reflects the larger challenge in many sectors. It’s a reminder that words matter, but actions must follow.
Open-Minded Investment
We are taking steps, and experimenting, though it may not always work, it’s crucial. We must stay open-minded about new technologies that show promise. The real investment should focus on the journey, not just the destination. The future of sustainable travel depends on our willingness to push for systemic change in how we move. Technology must play a pivotal role, but it needs to be paired with the right policies and significant investment in infrastructure. Until then, we must travel less.
We may not have all the answers right now, but by prioritizing the technologies that can transform travel itself, we can pave the way toward a future where travel contributes to a sustainable planet, beginning with the journey. If we act now and focus on the right investments, we can create a travel industry that works in harmony with the planet, not against it.
