The Canary Islands has claimed to be the only Spanish region to attend UN climate conference COP28 in Dubai with a plan to cut emissions.
The islands’ tourism chiefs showcased a free new digital tool for tourism companies to gauge and reduce emissions.
The ‘Journey to Decarbonisation’ tool provides a carbon footprint calculator, a self-diagnosis questionnaire, personalised recommendations and downloadable resources for initiating a climate action plan.
Training sessions on environmental sustainability and use of the tool will also be provided, primarily targeting small and medium-sized companies new to measuring their carbon footprint.
Canary Islands Tourism participated in the climate change conference under the auspices of the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), joining 857 global signatories of the Glasgow Declaration two years ago, with 261 already possessing a climate action plan.
The region demonstrated its status as the only Spanish region with a climate action plan designed to curtail CO2 emissions in alignment with the Glasgow Declaration.
Canary Islands managing director for tourism Jose Juan Lorenzo learned about an unnamed cruise company operating in the archipelago planning its first net zero ship by 2030, hotels designed for climate neutrality from construction, and the application of AI to reduce food waste in tourism, already implemented on the islands.
He said: “We have been pioneers in addressing the commitments established in Glasgow, which pursues net zero by 2050.
“We have implemented necessary measures to support the Canarian tourism industry and promote the objectives of the declaration among professionals, tourists, and citizens of the archipelago.”
Tourism minister Jessica de Leon highlighted the advantages of being the exclusive Spanish destination at the global climate conference.
“It allows us not only to share our experiences and gauge the interest in the Glasgow Declaration from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Angola or Peru but also to partake in a global action plan working towards tangible solutions and proving that a decarbonised world is achievable,” she said.