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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


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Management & implementation: Unilever’s sustainable agriculture programme

Unilever’s activity on sustainable agriculture occurs within a corporate policy framework that commits the company to ‘minimise any adverse effects on soil fertility, water and air quality, and biodiversity from agricultural activities’.

Recovering algae beds by means of Ferrous Supply Unit / [case study] by Nippon Steel Corp and Keidanren Committee on Nature Conservation

Recovering algae beds by means of Ferrous Supply Unit / [case study] by Nippon Steel Corp and Keidanren Committee on Nature Conservation

This project harnesses the byproducts of two production processes, using steel slag generated in steel production and waste woodchips from forestry, to restore coastal ecosystems affected by denuding.


Tools and Mechanisms


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Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC)

Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC)

http://www.fpac.ca/index.php/en/

FPAC is the voice of Canada’s wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs.  FPAC represents the largest Canadian producers of forest products, and members are responsible for 66% of certified forest lands in Canada. Third-party certification of member companies’ forest practices is a condition of membership in the Association - a world first.
Global Compact Network Germany

Global Compact Network Germany

http://www.globalcompact.de/index.php?id=30

The Global Compact Network Germany is an active learning and dialog platform for the implementation of the ten Global Compact principles. Biodiversity is one of the priority issues of the network in Germany in 2010.  The German Global Compact network seeks to promote multi-stakeholder dialog and constructive cooperation between government, business and other sectors of society.
Global Action Network for Transparency in the Supply Chain

Global Action Network for Transparency in the Supply Chain

https://www.globalreporting.org/reporting/reportin...

Through this Global Action Network offshoot, large companies will be able to offer GRI-certified training and one-on-one support to their Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) suppliers in preparing a GRI G3 sustainability report.
GRI Oil & Gas sector supplement

GRI Oil & Gas sector supplement

https://www.globalreporting.org/reporting/sector-g...

The Oil and Gas Sector Supplement (O&GSS) provides organizations in the sector with a tailored version of GRI’s G3.1 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. It includes the original Guidelines, which set out the Reporting Principles, Disclosures on Management Approach and Performance Indicators for economic, environmental and social issues. The Supplement’s additional commentaries and Performance Indicators, developed especially for the sector, capture the issues that matter most for oil and gas companies.
International Lead Association (ILA)

International Lead Association (ILA)

http://www.ila-lead.org/

ILA member companies have their own published sustainability policies with detailed activities and stated goals, and collectively subscribe to the principles of the shared Lead Action 21 programme. Through this, they aim to ensure the safe and sustainable production and use of lead while minimising operational impact on the natural environment. Additional information is provded on life cycle assessment; case studies, and recycling.

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Tourism & Travel

Case studies
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