Tourism Day at COP29, held on November 20, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan, brought together leaders from across the globe to address tourism’s role in combating climate change. The event gathered tourism ministers, senior officials, and representatives from international organisations across nearly 30 states. A significant outcome of the discussions was the signing of a Letter of Intent between the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan and UN Tourism, which aims to bolster collaboration through the Enhanced Climate Initiative for Tourism. This partnership seeks to create a global platform dedicated to advancing low-carbon and sustainable tourism practices.
Azerbaijan also announced its official endorsement of the Glasgow Declaration Initiative on Climate Action in Tourism, committing to developing comprehensive climate action plans, prioritising decarbonisation and regeneration, and aligning with international climate goals. This milestone reinforces Azerbaijan’s leadership in sustainable tourism and its alignment with the COP29 Declaration on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism, endorsed by more than 50 countries and eight non-state actors. The declaration provides a framework to integrate tourism into global climate strategies, with a focus on policy enhancement, science-based metrics, decarbonisation, and global partnerships. In his closing remarks, Fuad Nagiyev, Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan, expressed confidence that the recognition of tourism’s role in addressing climate change at COP29 would leave a lasting legacy for future COP events and that the number of countries endorsing the declaration would continue to grow.
Another highlight was the launch of the Net Zero Roadmap: Second Edition by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), revealing a 27 per cent increase in businesses setting climate targets over three years. Highlights included advancements in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and practical guidance for small and medium-sized enterprises to access green financing and meet sustainability targets.
Additionally, as part of “Tourism Day”, three high-level thematic roundtables followed, focusing on key areas like measurement and decarbonisation, regeneration (adaptation), and finance and innovative solutions. These sessions aimed to foster collaborative dialogue, highlight practical solutions, and share best practices to inspire transformative changes in tourism policies and practices.
