Pioneering Climate Action in Canada’s Tourism Sector
In April 2022, 4VI demonstrated remarkable leadership by signing the Glasgow Declaration, marking a commitment to climate action. Following this, Kyla and the Synergy Enterprises team led a groundbreaking destination carbon audit, making 4VI the first major North American tourism organization to undertake such a comprehensive assessment. This audit paved the way for the development and implementation of an ambitious Climate Action Plan.
Engagement and Strategy
The creation of the Climate Action Plan involved extensive engagement with stakeholders through virtual roundtable sessions, surveys, and consultations with Indigenous tourism operators. This inclusive approach ensured that the plan reflected the collective wisdom and aspirations of the community, focusing on priorities such as education, capacity building, advocacy, and funding for regenerative projects. Strategically, 4VI positioned itself as an educator, enabler, and connector in the climate action realm, emphasizing urgent communication, support mechanisms for businesses, and collaborative dialogue platforms.
Glasgow Declaration Pathways
Aligned with the Glasgow Declaration’s pathways, 4VI’s Climate Action Plan sets ambitious targets and fosters collaborative efforts:
- Measure: A comprehensive Greenhouse Gas Inventory for Vancouver Island tourism was unveiled in January 2023, providing a benchmark for future assessments.
- Decarbonize: The mission is to reduce emissions per visitor to < 100 kgCO2e by 2030 through initiatives like Biosphere Certification coaching for tourism businesses.
- Regenerate: 4VI aims to invest $10M in conservation initiatives, focusing on ocean conservation and plastic recycling.
- Collaborate: 4VI partners with Community DMOs for measurement and capacity building, leading grassroots tourism projects and resilience planning.
- Finance: 4VI targets $2M in funding applications by 2025, advocating for tourism inclusion in government climate action funding programs.
Results
The Climate Action Plan has transcended its role as a blueprint, earning recognition as an international case study on climate action by the United Nations World Tourism Organization in 2023. It has fostered collaboration among communities, DMOs, businesses, and stakeholders, driving tangible change across the region.
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