Sustainable Tourism Destination

Sky High Stakes: How Destinations Can Navigate the Carbon Risks of Booming Air Travel

Samir D’Costa in Climate & Environment June 2025 • 3 min read.

"Is your dream vacation contributing to climate change? New research offers a framework for destinations to manage carbon emissions from aviation and attract more eco-conscious visitors."

The allure of exploring new destinations has fueled an unprecedented boom in global tourism. Yet, this surge in travel is inextricably linked to a significant increase in air travel, presenting a complex challenge for destinations seeking to balance economic prosperity with environmental stewardship. Recognizing that tourists arrive with a carbon footprint in tow adds layers to decisions about tourism industries.

The carbon risk embedded in air travel to and from destinations can be substantial, but transparent and comprehensive data are often lacking. This makes it difficult to fully grasp the extent of the exposure and emerging trends, especially if a location or airport does not have an existing carbon emissions plan.

To address this gap, innovative research proposes a demand-focused approach, introducing ten carbon risk indicators designed to help destinations assess their absolute and relative risk concerning the economic, financial, social, and environmental costs of carbon. This framework offers global benchmarks and a list of the most exposed destinations, paving the way for informed and sustainable tourism management.

Understanding Carbon Risk: Why Destinations Should Care

Destinations are increasingly aware of the carbon intensity of their tourism industries. Failing to address carbon emissions can pose significant risks for regions that depend on tourism for income. Travel and tourism should consider the environmental costs of its supply chain to remain a viable and attractive industry.

The carbon risk for travel and tourism has several components:

Direct costs of carbon emissions.
Potential increases in oil prices.
Shifting consumer preferences towards eco-friendly options.
Legal compliance risks.
Competitive disadvantages from inaction.

Regions with a high aviation carbon footprint will likely face significant changes in the future as carbon policies and prices evolve. However, not all destinations face the same level of risk; factors such as geography, alternative transport options, and interconnectedness with other destinations all play a role. Island nations, which often rely heavily on international tourism for economic development, may be particularly vulnerable to carbon risks.

Destination's Decarbonized Tourism Industry

Destinations must start taking action. While reducing aviation emissions is essential, it must be coupled with broader sustainability initiatives, such as transitioning to renewable energy sources, promoting sustainable transportation options, and supporting local conservation efforts. By embracing sustainability, destinations can ensure they attract both visitors and preserve their natural and cultural assets for generations to come.

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Everything You Need To Know

What are the primary carbon risks that destinations face due to air travel?

Destinations face several key carbon risks stemming from air travel. These include direct costs associated with carbon emissions, potential increases in oil prices, shifting consumer preferences towards eco-friendly options, legal compliance risks related to carbon policies, and competitive disadvantages for those that fail to address carbon emissions. These factors can negatively impact the economic, financial, social, and environmental aspects of a destination's tourism industry.

How can destinations assess their carbon risk related to air travel?

Destinations can assess their carbon risk by using a demand-focused approach that incorporates ten carbon risk indicators. These indicators help evaluate the absolute and relative risk concerning the economic, financial, social, and environmental costs of carbon. This framework provides global benchmarks, and the identification of the most exposed destinations, which allows for informed and sustainable tourism management.

Why is understanding carbon risk important for destinations?

Understanding carbon risk is critical for destinations because the failure to address carbon emissions can pose significant risks to the tourism industry, which often relies on air travel. By acknowledging and managing these risks, destinations can mitigate potential negative impacts on their economy, the environment, and the preferences of increasingly eco-conscious travelers. This proactive approach ensures the long-term viability and attractiveness of the destination.

What specific actions can destinations take to mitigate the carbon risks associated with air travel?

Destinations should adopt a multi-faceted approach to mitigate carbon risks. While reducing aviation emissions is essential, it must be coupled with broader sustainability initiatives. This includes transitioning to renewable energy sources, promoting sustainable transportation options, and supporting local conservation efforts. Destinations can attract eco-conscious visitors and ensure the preservation of natural and cultural assets for future generations by embracing sustainability.

How do shifting consumer preferences impact destinations' carbon risk?

Shifting consumer preferences towards eco-friendly options significantly impacts destinations' carbon risk. As travelers become more environmentally conscious, they increasingly seek sustainable travel experiences. Destinations that fail to address their carbon footprint may lose appeal to these travelers, leading to reduced tourism revenue and a competitive disadvantage. Therefore, destinations must prioritize sustainability initiatives to meet evolving consumer demands and maintain their attractiveness in the global tourism market.