Global Tourism Emissions Surge, Driven by Just 20 Countries

A new study reveals tourism-related emissions are growing at double the rate of the global economy, with aviation as a key contributor.

Tourism now accounts for 8.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, increasing from 3.7 to 5.2 gigatonnes between 2009 and 2019, according to a study published in Nature Communications.
The United States, China, and India are responsible for 60% of the growth in tourism emissions, with 20 countries producing three-quarters of the sector's carbon footprint.
Aviation is the largest single contributor to tourism emissions, responsible for half of the sector's direct emissions, with limited progress in decarbonization despite decades of promises.
The rapid rebound of tourism post-COVID-19 has accelerated emissions growth, with private aviation seeing a 46% rise in CO2 emissions from 2019 to 2023.
Researchers call for urgent policy measures, including emission monitoring, sustainable tourism growth thresholds, and a shift toward domestic and short-haul travel to curb the sector's environmental impact.