How Tourism is Addressing Climate Change at COP30: Key Takeaways from Tourism Days

The Tourism Thematic Days at COP30, taking place on November 19-20, 2025, in Belém, Brazil, will undoubtedly be a significant moment for the tourism industry supporting climate change. It will serve as a sector-wide ‘mutirão‘, a collective effort, to drive tangible actions focused on emissions reductions, climate resilience, and building a low-carbon future for the tourism sector.

In alignment with the COP30 Action Agenda, the two-day event will bring together key stakeholders from across the globe, including governments, businesses, and civil society. The aim is to strengthen governance mechanisms, foster collaboration, and drive practical solutions that can help the tourism sector transition to more sustainable and resilient practices.

Aims of the Tourism Thematic Days at COP30

The objectives of the Tourism Thematic Days are clear and impactful. The event will:

Strengthen governance for tourism climate action: New institutional mechanisms will be discussed and developed to ensure long-term effectiveness in climate action for tourism.
Foster exchange of practical approaches for emission reduction and climate adaptation: Participants will share actionable solutions that reduce carbon footprints in tourism destinations and businesses worldwide.
Promote cross-sector collaboration: The event will encourage collaboration between different sectors, such as energy, transport, and food systems, to scale up solutions and enhance access to finance for sustainable tourism initiatives.

These objectives are key to advancing the implementation of global frameworks like the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism and will support the operationalization of mechanisms such as the Executive Council Interinstitutional Working Group on Tourism and Climate Action and the Global Partnership for Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism.

An Inclusive and Global Dialogue on Climate Action

Taking place across the Blue and Green Zones of the COP30 venue, the Tourism Thematic Days will feature a mix of high-level discussions, keynote presentations, and interactive exchanges. The event will also be held online to ensure that stakeholders from all regions can participate, fostering a truly inclusive dialogue. This hybrid format will enable broad engagement, allowing participants from different sectors and regions to contribute to the discussions, exchange ideas, and formulate strategies for mitigating climate change within tourism.

The event’s emphasis on practical solutions, collaboration, and inclusive participation will ensure that the outcomes resonate beyond the two days of discussions, leading to tangible actions in the tourism sector that can be implemented worldwide.

Tourism’s Role in the COP30 Action Agenda

Tourism returns to COP30 with a renewed sense of purpose, following its inclusion in the COP29 Action Agenda. As one of the largest global industries, tourism intersects with nearly every aspect of the COP30 Action Agenda. The sector is uniquely positioned to contribute to mitigation efforts, ecosystem conservation, and climate adaptation strategies.

Tourism’s extensive value chains intersect with all six thematic axes of the COP30 Action Agenda. These include:

Advancing low-emission operations in energy, industry, and transport
Supporting ecosystem conservation and restoration
Promoting sustainable food systems
Enabling climate-resilient urban planning and infrastructure
Empowering women and youth in climate action
Fostering innovation, finance, and capacity-building to scale sustainable solutions

By engaging with these themes, tourism can play a critical role in mitigating climate change, fostering adaptation, and creating innovative solutions that contribute to a more sustainable future for both the industry and the planet.

A Platform for Accelerating Climate Solutions in Tourism

The Tourism Thematic Days at COP30 provide a crucial platform for advancing the recognition of tourism as a key player in global climate action. By mobilising governments, businesses, and civil society to accelerate collective impact, the event will help drive implementation across the tourism sector. This initiative aligns with the overarching goal of COP30 to develop integrated and solutions-oriented actions that can transform sectors worldwide.

The event will also promote the importance of governance and collaboration as essential pillars for achieving climate-resilient tourism. Through sharing knowledge, resources, and best practices, participants can contribute to a more sustainable tourism model, ensuring that the industry reduces its carbon footprint and enhances its resilience to the impacts of climate change.

A Turning Point for Tourism’s Climate Action

The Tourism Thematic Days at COP30 represent a significant moment for the tourism sector to engage directly in the global climate conversation. By focusing on emission reduction, climate adaptation, and sustainable tourism practices, this event will be a key milestone in advancing the tourism industry’s commitment to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future. With its strong emphasis on governance, collaboration, and practical solutions, the event will empower stakeholders to drive meaningful change and set the course for a sustainable tourism future.

Global tourism continues to be an evolving phenomenon, and platforms like the Tourism Thematic Days at COP30 are vital for the future of the sector to be a contributing factor to the global cause of climate change and sustainable development goals.

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