COP29 Elevates Tourism as a Key Player in Climate Action: Brazil New Global Plan Set to Transform the Industry

Published on December 5, 2025

The tourism sector played a central role at COP29, where climate action discussions were crucial in aligning the industry’s future with sustainability goals. The event featured significant conversations on the implementation of the Glasgow Declaration Initiative on Climate Action in Tourism, which operates within the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme, in collaboration with UNEP. The discussions, facilitated by the Interinstitutional Working Group on Tourism and Climate Action, aimed at accelerating climate action across the tourism industry.

Strengthening Tourism’s Governance and Climate Action

UN Tourism’s Executive Director, Zoritsa Urosevic, underscored the importance of climate change in shaping the future of tourism. She highlighted that the sector must advance rapidly in areas of decarbonization, adaptation, and regeneration. Urosevic also emphasized the essential role of investment in achieving the Net Zero transition. The tourism sector must align itself with climate action through innovative approaches to improve resilience, ensuring long-term competitiveness.

Climate change is no longer an external factor affecting tourism; it has become a defining force in the sector. This necessitates faster advances, and as Urosevic pointed out, investments will be essential in the coming decades for the tourism industry to remain competitive and sustainable. Through the concerted efforts of the global tourism community, there is an ongoing effort to prioritize climate-friendly practices in all facets of tourism.

Tourism’s Growing Position as a Climate Solution

One of the key milestones from the discussions was the inclusion of the Plan for Accelerated Solutions (PAS) for tourism. This initiative, introduced under the UNFCCC High-Level Climate Champions, aims to create a unified strategy for the measurement, mitigation, and adaptation of tourism’s environmental impacts. A particular focus is placed on the sustainable management of forests, oceans, and biodiversity, with tourism playing a vital role in these efforts.

The PAS builds on Brazil’s experience in measuring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the tourism sector and in planning for sectoral adaptation. With backing from the Inter-American Development Bank, the PAS integrates these achievements into broader global pathways for transforming tourism. This move represents a significant opportunity to scale local solutions to a global level, enabling tourism to contribute meaningfully to broader climate goals.

Ana Carla Lopes, Vice Minister of Tourism of Brazil, pointed out that the PAS will help create a Global Partnership for Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism, a mechanism that encourages collaboration and access to finance for tourism-related climate projects. The PAS is aligned with the COP29 Declaration on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism, which has been endorsed by 70 governments and has been led by the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan.

Prioritizing Adaptation and Innovation for the Future

COP30 placed substantial emphasis on adaptation, with several sessions dedicated to exploring how destinations can incorporate climate-risk data into their tourism planning. These discussions also highlighted the need for strong governance structures to guide the implementation of adaptation measures. Key areas of focus included the integration of tourism into national adaptation processes, community-led adaptation strategies, and the use of nature-based solutions. These areas were identified as essential strategies to support the Global Goal on Climate Adaptation.

There was also significant exploration of innovative solutions to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon tourism sector. This included scaling alternative fuels, promoting reforestation efforts, restoring coral reefs, and piloting blue carbon projects. The discussions also highlighted the importance of blended finance mechanisms to attract private investment into low-carbon, climate-resilient tourism initiatives.

UN Tourism, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism of Brazil, called for the advancement of regenerative approaches to climate action in tourism. A public call was launched to create a comprehensive briefing paper that would focus on a holistic approach to climate action. This paper aims to enhance ecosystem health and community well-being while strengthening the connection between climate action and biodiversity conservation.

A Unified Global Effort for Climate-Aligned Tourism

The global commitment to climate-aligned tourism was further demonstrated by the Global Sessions on Climate Action in Tourism. These sessions, organized with Travalyst and The Travel Foundation, provided a platform for global participation, enabling diverse stakeholders to share solutions and experiences. The tourism community came together in the spirit of the global mutirão, exchanging valuable insights and strategies to accelerate climate action in the sector.

A special signing ceremony during COP29 marked the inclusion of new signatories to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, further expanding the global community dedicated to aligning tourism practices with climate goals. Among the new signatories was the iconic Christ the Redeemer Sanctuary in Rio de Janeiro, adding to the growing list of global landmarks committed to sustainable tourism.

The Path Forward for Tourism and Climate Action

The tourism sector has increasingly positioned itself as a solution to climate challenges. With the inclusion of the Plan for Accelerated Solutions and a unified global effort for scaling climate actions, the industry is well on its way to contributing more meaningfully to climate adaptation and resilience. The ongoing discussions at COP29 underscore the importance of collaboration, innovation, and investment in creating a sustainable future for tourism.

As the sector continues to evolve, it is clear that climate action must be at the heart of its transformation. From the implementation of nature-based solutions to the scaling of climate finance, tourism is becoming an integral part of the broader global response to climate change.