Title: The progress of research into energy use and carbon dioxide emissions from the Chinese tourism industry.
Abstract: The greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by tourism exploitation,tourist activities,and tourism development are an important factor of the tourism industry’s impact on global climate change and they are one of the main environmental consequences of tourism.According to the World Tourism Organization,the current contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions that comes from the travel and tourism sector accounts for 5% of total global anthropogenic emissions.Excluding aviation,global travel and tourism is responsible for about 3% of greenhouse gas emissions and it is estimated that CO2 emissions from tourism(excluding aviation) will grow at 2.5% per year until 2035.Therefore,in the last five years the international tourism industry has prioritized energy-saving and CO2 emission-reduction.Although aviation contributes 2% of total man-made CO2 emissions,the recent decline in air traffic(due primarily to the global recession) means that in 2012 the aviation-related CO2 emissions have receded to 2005 levels.Meanwhile,although it is calculated that air traffic will grow at an annual rate of 5% for 15 to 20 years after the global economy recovers,it is also estimated that the annual increases in CO2 emissions from the aviation industry will be limited to about 2.7% because of expected load factor gains and the replacement of existing fleets with more fuel efficient planes.However,despite this fall in CO2 emissions from the aviation industry,the combined greenhouse gas emissions from tourism and aviation are projected to continue to have a considerable impact on global climate change.Consequently,the impact of the rapid growth of the tourism industry on environmental and climate change has attracted considerable attention.For example,many previous studies have recognized the importance of minimizing the negative impact that the tourism industry has on the environment.Recent research has also drawn preliminary conclusions regarding quantitative estimates and scenario analyses,and have recognized the important roles and the key parameters of different types of tourist transportation,accommodation,and tourist activities.They have also identified the apparent differences between countries,regions,and tourism sectors.Moreover,preliminary policies and measurement systems relating to energy-saving and emission reduction have been established. In this study,we have reviewed the previous research into energy-saving and emission-reduction in China’s tourism industry.We have also conducted a comparison of the construction,estimation,forecasts,and scenario analysis of energy-saving and emission-reduction in the tourism industry across China and in other countries.Based on our comparative results,we have suggested that more attention should be focused on quantitative and empirical research(especially in tourism transportation and accommodation) to strengthen the research of forecasting and scenario analysis and to develop tourism-related climate policy in China.These suggestions would effectively improve the level of research regarding China’s tourism industry,particularly those related to the topics of energy-saving,emission-reduction and climate change.In addition,we recommend that authorities in China should bring in more targeted and operable policies and measures to address these issues.Finally,our study provides a scientific basis for energy-saving,emission-reduction and combating climate change in China’s tourism industry.
Publication Year: 2013
Publication Date: 2013-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 4
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