Is Travel Industry a Green Industry?
Green Industry
Human activities are fundamentally changing the globe’s climate through increased greenhouse gas emissions. These gas emissions allow large-scale worsened health conditions, and have social, economical & ecological effects. There is also an abundance of scientific evidence, that many predicted changes take place in the environment at the time of writing this very blog. What is not so clear, however, is how a change of climate affects the travel industry in particular, and exactly what hotels and also the travel industry and travel agencies could do against this. Shouldn’t they become a green industry?
One notices restricted water supplies, a decrease in snowfall, more rainfall during seasons that used to be dry, or a much longer rain season. These are all potential dangers that could well have a negative impact on travellers, and on their choice of destination. Asia is a case in particular. Especially in Asia, rain seasons seem to last much longer every year with heavier rainfall flooding the islands in Indonesia which is taking on dramatic proportions.
What I would like to suggest is that the travel industry could help out and contribute to reducing Co2 output. Because of the green image it gets, the lodging industry could well benefit. There are a range of possibilities. The benefits could range from reduced operating costs to an increase in energy efficiency. Not unimportantly, it will build goodwill among travellers.They love great travel tips and being green.
Firstly the lodging industry should become aware of its own gas emissions, and what possibility it has of reducing the green house effect. If the travel industry wants to become green and wants to know what it emits, there is a so-called ‘greenhouse gas inventory’. This inventory documents the sources and the quantity of the greenhouse gas emissions, counting carbon dioxide (CO2), hydroflurocarbons (HFC), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), nitrous oxide (N2O), perfluorocarbons (PFC), and methane (CH4). Think of boilers and generators, cars and buses, electricity purchases and of course, the generation of waste. For guidance and methologies one can turn to the Climate Registry, which is a non profit organization and ‘The Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative’.
If you have such a survey, and adapt the systems according to their advice, you have cost-saving efficiency opportunities while managing the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, and gaining an advantage because you address greenhouse gas-emissions at an early stage, and, not unimportantly, get recognition by travelers as a leader in reducing Co2.
By cutting on energy use it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also lower energy bills! In case the travel industry also reduces its use of fossil fuel that is used in its vehicle fleet, by turning to more efficient vehicles and using alternative fuel, it will gain respect from visitors. And.. it will pay respect to the wonderful globe we are all living on! The Travel industry should become a wholly green industry! I hope you like these great travel tips!
For good, informative blogs on green energy and renewable energy please see: www.greenenergyplatform.net
