Climate change in focus - Shipping emissions levels twice that of airlines
A report in The Guardian, citing a leaked United Nations study, calculates that maritime shipping accounts for 4.5% of total global carbon dioxide emissions - three times more than previously believed - and more than double the impact of aviation. Confronting Climate Change is the theme of the upcoming PATA CEO Challenge, which will be the inaugural gathering of decision-makers from all sectors of Asia Pacific travel and tourism industries to discuss and agree to practical solutions to confront climate change. To be held on 28-29 April 2008, travel and tourism industry leaders will gather in Bangkok, Thailand, for the inaugural PATA CEO Challenge.
Registered speakers and panel members include:
- David Baffsky, Chairman of Accor Asia Pacific;
- Mike Barclay, Vice President Asia Pacific, International Air Transport Association (IATA);
- Peter Barge, CEO Asia Pacific of Jones Lang LaSalle;
- Peter de Jong, President and CEO of PATA;
- Brian Deeson, Chairman of PATA 2007-2008;
- Geoff Dixon, Managing Director and CEO of Qantas Airways;
- Andrew Herdman, Director General, Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA);
- George Hickton, Chief Executive of Tourism New Zealand;
- Henrik Kjellberg, President of Expedia Asia Pacific;
- Dr Rajendra K Pachauri, Chairman of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change;
- Geoffrey Lipman, Assistant Secretary-General, UNWTO;
- Anna Pollock, CEO, DestiCorp;
- Tony Tyler, Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific Airways;
- Darrell Wade, co-founder and CEO of Intrepid Travel;
- Tony Wheeler, Founder of Lonely Planet.
"The message is very clear. The world is going to demand much tighter standards, much higher performance of [travel and tourism], and I think if you take a proactive and positive approach then you should anticipate some of the things that are going to be expected of you and take steps well in advance before you are forced or regulated into doing so." - Dr Rajendra K Pachauri, Chairman of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Industry leaders need to take steps to fight climate change before governments pass legislation forcing them to act. It doesn't all have to happen at once, but it must begin now and become measurable.
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