Thompson Okanagan Tourism Climate Action Plan Provides Guidance for Sustainable Development for Regional Businesses and Communities

Kelowna, B.C. (April 18, 2023) - The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has introduced a new climate action plan to facilitate sustainable industry and community development in the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia, Canada.

TOTA has been committed to sustainable and responsible tourism since 2012 and became a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism in May 2022, which includes the development and implementation of an official climate action plan to accelerate and co-ordinate climate action in tourism.

The plan outlines a series of strategies and initiatives to support the regional and global commitment to cut emissions in half by 2030 and reach Net Zero as soon as possible before 2050.

"TOTA recognizes the critical role that tourism plays in the region's economy and is committed to ensuring that the industry grows in a sustainable way," said Ellen Walker-Matthews, TOTA CEO. "By implementing this Climate Action Plan, we can work to reduce tourism’s carbon footprint while also enhancing the visitor experience and supporting local communities."

 The five pathways of the plan are:

• Measure: Measure and disclose all travel and tourism-related emissions. Ensure methodologies and tools are aligned to UNFCCC-relevant guidelines on measurement, reporting and verification, and that they are transparent and accessible.

• Decarbonize: Set and deliver targets aligned with climate science to accelerate tourism’s decarbonisation. This includes transport, infrastructure, accommodation, activities, food & drink, and waste management. While offsetting may have a subsidiary role, it must be complementary to real reductions.

• Regenerate: Restore and protect ecosystems, supporting nature’s ability to draw down carbon, as well as safeguarding biodiversity, food security, and water supply. As much of tourism is based in regions most immediately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, ensure the sector can support affected and at-risk communities in resilience building, adaptation and disaster response. Help visitors and host communities experience better balance with nature.

• Collaborate: Share evidence of risks and solutions with all stakeholders and our guests, and work together to ensure our plans are as effective and co-ordinated as possible. Strengthen governance and capacity for action at all levels, including national and sub-national authorities, civil society, large companies and SMEs, vulnerable groups, local communities and visitors.

• Finance: Ensure organizational resources and capacity are sufficient to meet objectives set out in climate plans, including the financing of training, research and implementation of effective fiscal and policy tools where appropriate to accelerate transition.

TOTA encourages all tourism operators, visitors, and community members to learn more about the plan and take action to reduce their carbon footprint. Sustainability is becoming an increasingly significant factor for travellers when planning travel for both business and leisure. As people gain an understanding of the impact of travel, there is a growing preference for supporting responsible destinations, venues, hotels, and events. Destinations and their businesses that take initiative will attract these sustainability-conscious travellers.

To view the plan, download the Thompson Okanagan Climate Action Plan or visit TOTABC.org/committed/climate-action-plan

– 30 –

---

About the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA):

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is a non-profit society, governed by an elected Board of Directors, which represents business and community tourism interests throughout the region, and is supported by the British Columbia Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport. It is an industry-led organization that represents and supports all business and community tourism interests in the region, while also helping to implement provincial tourism policies.

As a Biosphere Certified Destination, TOTA is committed to working towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including goals related to access and inclusion, such as “Reduced Inequalities” and “Sustainable Cities & Communities.” becoming a world-renowned accessible tourism destination and to promote “Access & Inclusion” in all aspects of community and tourism experiences, products, and services in the Thompson Okanagan region.

Learn more at TOTABC.org.

About the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism:

The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism is an urgent call for all stakeholders to commit to a decade of climate action in tourism, led by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in collaboration with the Travel Foundation, and within the framework of the One Planet Network and Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency initiatives. The Declaration was officially launched at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November 2021, after the need for a globally consistent approach for climate action in tourism was made clear, notably through research into CO2 emissions carried out by UNWTO/ITF and released at the UNFCCC COP25 in December 2019. 

Learn more at OnePlanetNetwork.org/programmes/sustainable-tourism/glasgow-declaration

For more information, contact:

Ellen-Walker Matthews

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)

E: CEO@TOTABC.com

World Tourism Day Forum - September 28 | Center for Responsible Travel

Humanity’s contributions – including those of the travel industry – to our warming planet have put everything at stake. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that global temperatures will exceed 2°C beyond pre-industrial temperatures during the 21st century, exceeding the 1.5°C limit put forth by The Paris Agreement, unless we collectively and drastically start reducing our greenhouse gas emissions now and in the coming decades.

But what does this mean and how do we get there?

To answer these all-important questions, CREST is partnering with Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency to host their fifth annual World Tourism Day Forum. The virtual event will focus on helping key sectors bridge the disconnect between the goals they are warned must be met when it comes to mitigating the climate crisis and the action steps they need to take.

The year’s virtual Forum will take place over the span of two days, with an inspiring 2-hour introductory session for all participants on Tuesday, September 28, and 3-hour technical workshops for accommodations, tour operators, and destinations on Wednesday, September 29. EDT. Participants will leave the Forum with a solid understanding of climate change action terminology and how they can move forward towards meaningful action.

TOTA Declares a Climate Emergency With International Initiative "Tourism Declares"

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has declared a climate emergency as a signatory of Tourism Declares, a global tourism-specific initiative bringing together organizations and individuals from across the industry to take purposeful action and reduce Carbon emissions. TOTA has committed to developing and publishing a comprehensive "Climate Emergency Plan" within the next 12 months, including transparent goals, measurable reductions, and yearly progress updates.

"The climate crisis poses an immense threat. Throughout COVID-19 recovery efforts, we must stay one step ahead to not only mitigate environmental impacts, but work toward transforming tourism into a force for good," said Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President and CEO. "Becoming a signatory of Tourism Declares is reflective of TOTA's Regional Strategy, Embracing Our Potential, which has lead to this commitment to take climate action towards long-term, measurable results."

Like all signatories of Tourism Declares, TOTA has committed to five key actions, which includes accepting current advice of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stating the need to cut global Carbon emissions to 55% below 2017 levels by 2030, sharing a public commitment, and acting as an advocate for change and urgent action. TOTA intends to support the regional as well as wider travel and tourism sector through continued leadership efforts, accelerating the transition to a low carbon tourism economy.

During the TOTA and Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association (CCCTA) joint Virtual Tourism Summit on November 25 & 26, Jeremy Smith, co-founder of Tourism Declares, was welcomed to a panel discussion to share background, insights, and practical tools for climate action. A recording of the panel can be found at News.TOTABC.org/update/Summit-Recap/Climate-Action.

Any company, organization, or individual working in tourism is welcome to join the Tourism Declares initiative, and TOTA encourages you to take action.

Declare and Share at TourismDeclares.com.

---

About the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA):
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is a non-profit society, governed by an elected Board of Directors, which represents business and community tourism interests throughout the region, and is supported by the British Columbia Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport. It is an Industry-led organization that represents and supports all business and community tourism interests in the region, while also helping to implement provincial tourism policies. For more information, visit TOTABC.org.

About Tourism Declares:
Tourism Declares supports tourism businesses, organizations, and individuals in declaring a climate emergency and taking action to reduce their carbon emissions. As advocates for the urgent changes needed to accelerate a just transition towards carbon-free tourism, Tourism Declares is building a global community of industry leaders, developing resources to help everyone create their Climate Emergency Plans, and ensuring a fair and sustainable recovery from COVID-19. For more information, visit TourismDeclares.com.