Airlines, tourism sector called upon to share thoughts on climate action

New ‘Shared Horizons’ sector-wide survey rolls out

A global initiative by the Travel Foundation and Skyscanner seeks to bring together the aviation and tourism sectors and bridge any gaps in the sector’s response to climate change.

The initiative, titled ‘Shared Horizons: Connecting aviation and tourism for climate action’, will be shaped by a newly formed Advisory Group and a sector-wide survey that is now open for responses.

Tour operators, destination managers, aviation professionals and other aviation and tourism stakeholders are invited to participate in the initiative by sharing their views through the survey.

The survey explores current approaches to emissions, barriers to action, innovation, finance, and climate responsibility. 

The aim is to ‘understand, without any attempt to assign responsibility or blame, how various industry players, with differing levels of control over emissions, see their role in helping to account for and reduce these emissions’. 

Insights gathered will inform a white paper outlining a shared vision and joint actionable pathways for climate leadership. 

The initiative responds to a growing recognition that climate action across the aviation and tourism sectors often takes place in silos – with airlines, airports, destinations, and tourism businesses working independently.  

This fragmented approach can result in missed opportunities for the most impactful response, with some emissions associated with travel slipping through the gaps.

“The climate challenge is shared, and the solutions must be too,” said Jeremy Sampson, CEO of the Travel Foundation. “We need a new model of partnership across tourism and aviation that is grounded in mutual risks and shared responsibilities. This initiative is about unlocking that opportunity.”

 “Airlines have a real opportunity to show leadership and build on the work already taking place.  By bringing together voices from across aviation and tourism, we hope to accelerate progress, spark innovation and ensure that climate action supports the long-term wellbeing of destinations and the people who rely on them,” said Kirsty Webster, Industry and Partner Sustainability Lead at Skyscanner.

The new Advisory Group includes representatives from leading airlines, key industry organisations, tour operators, and destination organisations.

Over the coming months, the group will provide strategic input, promote engagement, and help shape recommendations for joint action set out in a white paper.