Comment: Let’s get Green Debate right – 30 Nov 2006

The ABTA Travel Convention is to be applauded for putting green issues so high on its agenda. Not before time the industry is taking the environmental impact of travel and tourism seriously.

As an industry we need to show our critics – consumers, politicians and the wider media – that we understand the issues concerning travel and the environment and more importantly are seen to be taking effective action and putting words into action.

We need to be proactive rather than reactive and then we can break the image of being an industry that is seen to be ‘told’ what to do by politicians and constantly criticised by environmentalists. We really can lead the debate.

By inviting Tony Jupiter, executive director of Friends of the Earth, to share a platform with leading industry figures at the Convention, ABTA is taking the lead. At the same time the likes of First Choice and Lastminute.com have announced their green initiatives.

To drive the green debate forward, the industry must debate the issues, challenge ideas and assumptions, both from within the travel industry and from consumers, and draw up a meaningful, measurable and effective green strategy. The industry requires it and politicians and consumers expect it.

There is need for caution, however. At all levels of the industry people are working on green initiatives that are to be applauded. After all, we all want to be seen to be green.

However, as an industry we need to be able to counter claims that we are merely taking a sticking plaster approach to the issue. Doing something is better than doing nothing, but we need to be sure what we are doing is having the desired positive, measurable impact. Already there are question marks over the effectiveness of carbon offsetting, for example.

One thing is for sure, we do not want to go the way of the tobacco industry – putting filter tips on to cigarettes in an attempt to make cigarettes safe while knowing all along that smoking tobacco causes cancer.

Together we can get this right – so let’s thrash out the best way forward and deliver effective initiatives.

Further reading

• ABTA hears calls for new green strategy – Travel Weekly 30 November 2006
• ABTA will advise consumers on carbon offsetting – Travel Weekly 30 November 2006
• Lastminute reports ‘fantastic start' to carbon scheme – Travel Weekly – 30 November 2006
• Aviation issues homepage – Friends of the Earth
• British travel industry must wake up to climate threat – Friends of the Earth press release
• Carbon offsetting information – Defra

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