There’s a role to play for every PATA member in the battle against climate change. That’s the view of PATA CEO Greg Duffell, who is asking all Association members to lobby their government representatives in advance of next week’s COP15 climate change summit in Copenhagen.

“The travel and tourism industry must speak with one voice in this important issue. We must acknowledge our environmental and social responsibilities, commit to sustainable practices and support every practical measure that seeks to reduce carbon emissions,” says Greg Duffell. “But we also expect the government ministers attending the Copenhagen conference to treat travel and tourism as an equitable partner in this process.

 

“Our industry does recognise the importance of contributing to the debate and, more importantly, turning words into meaningful, decisive actions. We continue to work closely with the World Travel & Tourism Council and the United Nations World Tourism Organization in this field,” adds Mr Duffell.

 

PATA supports the call for a standardised process of carbon calculation for each sector of travel and tourism and continues to monitor destinations at most risk from the effects of climate change.

 

Importantly, PATA members continue to make significant contributions through a wide range of creative initiatives – and many companies are now signing up to the new PATA Sustainability Index. The Association’s 2010 Gold Awards project will again showcase organisations that demonstrate real success in sustainable practices.

 

“There is no doubt that travel and tourism stakeholders have developed a much more mature attitude and a much greater understanding since this debate began in earnest at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

 

“I encourage all members to make use of the opportunities to contribute valid and pertinent comments via the conference website and the COP15 social media channels such as facebook and twitter. And it’s important that we involve employees at every level - this is not an issue for the boardroom alone,” concludes Greg Duffell.