COP27 is the 27th annual UN meeting on climate. It will take place in Sharm-El-Sheikh, Egypt from 6-18 November. Controversially, new PM Rishi Sunak, will not be in attendance. UN climate summits are held every year, for governments to agree steps to limit global temperature rises. They are referred to as COPs, which stands for “Conference of the Parties”. The parties are the attending countries that signed up to the original UN climate agreement in 1992. The current UN SDGs are set to expire in 2030 and recent reports from the UN suggest that the majority of countries are behind on their targets of slowing climate change.
All industries have to make a commitment to sustainability and change. The attractions sector is no different in this respect. However, according to Attractions Management (2022), research indicates that ‘47% of attractions don’t have recycling bins on site and only a third have some sort of sustainability accreditation on view’.
Additionally, there is a presumption that consumers are increasingly sustainably minded. Market Research company BVA BDRC (2022) claim that only 16% of their sustainability attitudinal survey sample are ‘Eco Envagelists’ who are ‘are individuals who care deeply about the environment and regularly make sustainable choices, from recycling to reducing meat consumption, to switching energy suppliers to direct action on the streets.’
https://www.attractionsmanagement.com/Attractions-Management-magazine/attractions/35924
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63316362
Discussion Points:
Are attractions doing enough to be sustainable? Are they contributing towards achieving the UN SDGs? If so, how? What more can/should be done?
Do attractions consumers increasingly demand sustainability initiatives at attractions?
The Attraction 
I believe that attractions are becoming increasingly mindful of their impact on the environment, however, i feel alot more should be done to ensure that they are actually improving on their carbon footprint. Sustainability is a very hot topic around the whole world, especially currently in regards to the COP27 meeting that is happening soon. Therefore the pressure around being more sustainability aware is increasing. Attractions may not be seen as environmentally friendly due to the fact that some of them welcome many people yearly, most attractions do not have the funds to run public transport to their attractions, therefor travel could be seen as a negative impact on the environment due to people travelling to the attractions.
More and more people care about sustainability, there is a sharp increase in the number of people who have adopted a more sustainable lifestyle in the last 12 months. More consumers are also being more proactive in their pursuit of adopting a more sustainable lifestyle, whether by choosing brands that have ethical or environmentally sustainable practices and values, or by no longer purchasing certain products because they have concerns around the brand’s ethical or sustainability practices or values. (Delloitte, 2022).
LikeLike
The goal of sustainable development is to strike a balance between our economic, environmental, and social demands, ensuring prosperity for current and future generations. (LinusWealth, 2019) Sustainable tourism is one of the most pressing concerns confronting the tourist sector in recent years. The most serious issue arises when development is hurried, with little or no regard for the product’s environment. (Eccles,1995)
Recently, our population grew to 8 milliard people and it is important for us to make sure we make a good living for everyone. We need to take good care of this world and try not to damage it too much. Unfortunately, tourism and their attractions have a huge impact on the environment.
For example, Fisherman and river managers have observed a severe decline in the number of mosquitos in the Avon at Stonehenge during the last three years. The loss in wildlife in the river is due to increased siltation and phosphate contamination from waste processing stations, both of which are a result of the growing local population. Another example is, the distinctive canals of Venice, which are built on more than 100 tiny islands in and around the Adriatic Sea, however the availability of magnificent culture and architecture also contributes to the island’s strength. Unfortunately, overtourism has depleted the city’s vitality as well.
The United Nations approved the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, in 2015 as a global call to action to eradicate poverty, safeguard the environment, and ensure that by 2030, all people enjoy peace and prosperity. (UNDP, 2022)
I believe that all of the attractions are now attempting to be more sustainable, with some succeeding more than others. They obviously expanded the sustainability push since they saw all of the other attractions deteriorating. There are many attractions that need to be improved, but the most of them have already begun to strive to be more sustainable. Sustainability is an issue that will be heavily debated in the next years.
LikeLike
I do not believe they are sustainable enough . They are trying to be or at least portray that image. But I don’t think they actually are.
I also think people are interested in knowing about what attractions are sustainable and which are. But I don’t think it makes a difference in terms of whether it would stop them from attending and paying their money.
LikeLike