Justin Francis
, co-founder of responsibletravel.com warns that there is still some way to go if Britain is to successfully tackle global warming and the aviation debate in the context of the growing importance of responsible tourism for local livelihoods, especially in developing countries where tourism is growing fastest and economies are highly dependent on tourism.
“We welcome some of the progressive ideas from the Liberal Democrats in their recent ‘Zero Carbon Britain’ report and whilst many of yesterday’s recommendations to the Conservatives in the ‘Blueprint for a Green Economy’ were positive, they have not yet become party policy – it’s now up to David Cameron to show he’s serious, by turning the rhetoric into reality.”
Britain needs to tackle global warming and become a nation of responsible travellers sooner rather than later, Francis says.
“We are finally beginning to see from both the Liberals and Conservatives some tax and transport planning that deters people from frivolous flying whilst funding the development of lower carbon alternatives.
"The biggest weakness across all the parties is that none of them understand the NET carbon impact of a holiday as no research has been done on the cradle to grave impacts ( see recent press release). We also need to target frivolous flying and that includes both UK domestic and European short-haul flights, as the recent Conservative report begins to point out. Finally, for those who do fly long-haul, the Government needs to encourage responsible tourism in these destinations to ensure that overall holiday carbon emissions and any negative impact on local communities, cultures and conservations are reduced.
"The biggest disappointment on political policies at the moment is that flying appears to be considered as unconnected with tourism and there are no measures to encourage the growth in lower carbon and more responsible tourism.”
Party’s policies and papers were analysed according to the following criteria:
Criteria 1: Are the policies based on an understanding of the NET carbon impact of a holiday (not just the flight)?
Criteria 2: Are the policies likely to be sufficient to reduce the number of flights from the UK annually in line with overall targets of exceeding a 60% reduction in carbon by 2050?
Criteria 3: Are the policies proportionate to aviation’s contribution to global warming?
Criteria 4: Is there transparency about where the money raised by the Government from airlines/the tourism industry will go?
Criteria 5: Will money raised from airlines/the tourism industry be used to fund lower carbon transport schemes?
Criteria 6: Does any form of taxation or ETS provide further incentives to planes which fly fuller? (Thereby more likely to reduce the number of flights required)
Criteria 7: Are more ‘frivolous’ flights (shorter ones where a train could be taken) targeted more strongly than flights to developing countries which are highly dependent on tourism for jobs, livelihoods, poverty reduction and conservation of local natural and cultural heritage?
Criteria 8: Is there evidence of an integrated approach to low carbon transport which encompasses aviation plus rail, road and sea travel?
Criteria 9: Are plans for future airport capacities in line with reduction in flying targets?
Criteria 10: Are there incentives alongside those targeting aviation for the tourism industry to develop more responsible tourism?
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Notes to editors
responsibletravel.com is an online travel directory - based in Brighton, England - launched in 2001 for travellers who want more real and authentic holidays that also benefit the environment and local people. responsibletravel.com markets carefully pre-screened holidays from over 270 specialist operators and over 400 accommodations.
Media contact
For further information or interviews, please contact:
Kristina Pentland
press@responsibletravel.com
Mob: 07717 348368
