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Tourism and Travel

About this sector

Based on its contribution to global gross domestic product, the number of people it employs, and the number of clients it serves, tourism has been described as the world’s largest industry. In 2008 these figures were 9.5% of global GDP, over 200 million jobs – one in 13 of all jobs worldwide – 924 million international travellers in 2008, and perhaps 10 times the number of domestic travellers.
The industry forms one of the top five export earners in 150 countries, and is particularly important for developing countries. For the world’s 40 poorest countries, tourism is second to oil as a source of foreign exchange.

Impacts

Tourism facilities and infrastructure can threaten natural and important habitats.
Excessive use of natural resources, such as fresh water, energy and food can threaten supplies and lead to pollution through waste.
Tourist behaviour can threaten species and ecosystems (introduction of invasive alien species, harvesting of wild species for souvenirs).

Opportunities/Risks

The rise in demand for nature-based and eco-tourism creates business opportunities that can be tied with wildlife conservation.
Consumer awareness of ethical and environmental issues creates markets for responsible tourism.
Environmental impacts can limit access to capital insurance and incur legal risks.
Brand and reputation are strongly influenced by a company’s environmental performance.

Case Studies

Everyday Wildlife Champions

Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) is a Fortune 500 multinational corporation headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Four billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. P&G markets approximately 300 brands of consumer products in roughly 180 countries. It is a global company that employs approximately 135,000 people in 80 countries with more than 2,000 in Canada. P&G is a leading consumer packaged goods company with roughly $80 billion in annual global sales of products ranging from beauty and grooming, health and well being to household care under brand names such as Gillette®, Crest® and Dawn®. P&G is credited with many business innovations including brand management and the soap opera.

Ecosystem services review of an aluminum smelter in a biosphere reserve

Alcoa is a world leader in the production and management of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina combined, through its active and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry. The Company employs 63,000 people in 31 countries. Alcoa Canada employs 4,235 employees (3,603 in Quebec) and runs four plants with an annual production capacity of over one million metric tons of ingots, castings, billets and aluminum rods: Baie-Comeau, Bécancour (held at 25% by Rio-Tinto Alcan) and Deschambault smelters, as well as the Bécancour Rod Plant. The company also runs 13 transformation facilities in Canada and owns a monitory share of a hydropower facility in Canada.

Land use stewardship standard implementation in facilities worldwide implementation in facilities worldwide

Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA) is one of five product groups operated by Rio Tinto, a leading international mining group. It is a global supplier of quality bauxite, alumina and aluminum and operates 42 sites over the world (bauxite mines, smelter-grade alumina refineries, specialty alumina plants, smelters, power facilities), employing 24,000 people in 27 countries. RTA owns, operates or has interests in 6 bauxite mines and deposits in 4 countries, 10 alumina refineries in 5 countries, including 1 in Canada, 23 smelters in 10 countries, including 7 in Canada and 12 power stations in 4 countries. RTA operates 19 sites in Canada (including 7 hydro power plants and 4 supporting facilities) and employs 8,300 people in Canada.

The regreening of Sudbury and the 2009 Biodiversity Action Plan for Greater Sudbury

Vale Inco, one of the largest mining companies in the world, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Brazilian mining company Vale. It is Vale’s nickel division, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. It produces nickel, copper, cobalt, platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, gold, and silver. Vale Inco operates in 40 countries and employs over 11,000 people worldwide (close to 7,000 employees in Canada). Sales in 2008 reached almost $8 billion US. In Canada, Vale Inco operates two wholly integrated mining milling smelting and refining complexes, an electrocobalt refinery and precious metals processing facility and a mine and mill concentrator facility. Vale Inco has recently begun construction on an additional nickel processing facility and operate two research and technology facilities where 90% of worldwide research is carried out.

The biodiversity challenge at Xstrata Canada Operations

Xstrata plc is a global diversified mining company, with operations and projects in 19 countries. Xstrata’s activities are organised into five global commodity businesses and a technology business, each of which operates with a high level of autonomy. Xstrata Nickel, Xstrata Copper and Xstrata Zinc have signifi cant interests in Canada, including exploration, development, mining, mineral processing, smelting and recycling operations and projects. In Canada Xstrata operates 8 mines, 7 metallurgical sites (including smelters and refineries) and manages 9 closed sites.

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Tools and Mechanisms

The European Cement Association

http://www.cembureau.be/

CEMBUREAU, the European Cement Association based in Brussels, is the representative organisation of the cement industry in Europe. The Association acts as spokesperson for the cement industry in dealings with the European Union institutions and other public authorities. It communicates the industry’s views on all issues and policy developments with regard to technical, environmental, energy, and promotional issues.

Ceres

http://www.ceres.org/

Ceres is an advocate for sustainability leadership with a focus on governance, engagement, disclosure, and sustainable performance. Ceres mobilizes a powerful network of investors,
companies, and public interest groups to accelerate and expand the adoption of sustainable
business practices and solutions to build a healthy global economy.

International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB)

http://www.cibworld.nl/site/home/index.html

The purpose of the CIB is to support the improvement of building processes and performance of the built environment by providing a global network for international exchange and cooperation related to the research and innovation of building and construction.

The scope of CIB covers the technical, economic, environmental, organizational and other aspects of the built environment during all stages of its life cycle. Specifically addressed are all steps in the process of basic and applied research, documentation and transfer of the research results, and their implementation and application.

Guiding principles for Sustainable Hotel Siting, Design, and Construction (CI/ITP)

http://www.conservation.org/sites/celb/news/Pages/...

An initiative between hotel companies and Conservation International providing guiding principles to address the challenge of sustainable hotel design and development, while reducing impacts on critical ecosystems.

David Suzuki Foundation

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/climate-change/s...

The David Suzuki Foundation works with government, business, and individuals to conserve our environment by providing science-based education, advocacy, and policy work. Specific to business, the foundation has published a guide on how businesses can reduce their environmental impact.

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