by Brian Major
Last updated: 2:40 PM ET, Mon June 3, 2024
The government of dual-island Caribbean nation
St. Kitts and Nevis has signed the Glasgow Declaration for
Climate Action in Tourism, committing the country to halving tourism emissions
by 2030 and reaching net zero as soon as possible before 2050, said St. Kitts
officials in a statement.
The Declaration was signed on behalf of St.
Kitts by Diannille Taylor-Williams, director in the St. Kitts and Nevis
Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and International Transport, at the International
Conference on Small Island Developing States held in Antigua and Barbuda in
late May.
The Glasgow Declaration is led by UN Tourism
in collaboration with the U.K.-based Travel Foundation, an independent charity
that works with tourism companies and organizations to “unlock the positive
potential of tourism,” according to organization officials.
As part of the country’s commitment, St. Kitts’
Ministry of Tourism will publish a climate action plan within the next 12
months with support from Sustainable Travel International, said officials.
Sustainable Travel works with tourism businesses
to address carbon liability, participate in global net zero transition and
strengthen climate adaptation and resilience.
The action plan is being developed through “a
participatory process” that includes two recent climate action workshops
designed to “educate tourism businesses and government representatives and
foster cross-sector collaboration,” officials said.
“Our pledge to the Glasgow Declaration is more
than a promise,” said Marsha Henderson, minister of tourism, international transport,
civil aviation, labor and employment. “It’s a testament to our unwavering
dedication to safeguarding our island’s natural beauty and ensuring a
sustainable future for generations to come,” she said.
Added Henderson, “By embracing climate action,
we are not only protecting St. Kitts’ vibrant ecosystems and rich cultural
heritage but also fortifying our tourism industry against the tides of change.”
“Our commitment to sustainable tourism will
not only protect our vibrant ecosystems but also strengthen our resilience and
ensure the prosperity of our tourism industry,” said Taylor-Williams, “including
our people amidst global environmental challenges.”
St. Kitts government has worked for more than
a decade with Sustainable Travel International to “[educate] destination
leaders and tourism companies on best practices” implement strategic
sustainability initiatives and engage local communities in tourism planning and
development, said officials.
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