Need of the hour: Accelerated action and investment

India boasts of a vast coastline due to its strategic geographical location. Nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas and bordered by the expansive Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, the country’s coastline stretches approximately 7,516 km. Notably, 2,094 km of this coastline is derived from its island territories. The extensive coastline and the surrounding water bodies play a crucial role in driving tourism to the country. According to reports by Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), coastal tourism in India is experiencing a significant uptick and it is poised to become one of the leading sectors within the nation’s burgeoning ocean economy. Projections indicate that marine and coastal tourism will constitute a substantial 26 per cent of the blue economy.

According to World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) data, coastal and marine tourism directly generated $1.5 trillion and supported 52 million jobs globally in 2023. It also accounted for approximately 50 per cent of all tourists’ spending globally, generating $820 billion in direct tax revenue. Addressing world leaders during Ocean Action Day at COP29 in Baku, WTTC called for urgent climate investment in coastal and marine tourism to protect it from escalating climate risks. To achieve necessary mitigation, WTTC stated that coastal and marine tourism will require annual investments of $30 billion for direct emissions reduction, with total requirements reaching as high as $65 billion when including climate adaptation efforts.

The soon-to-be-released report, Climate and Ocean: Quantifying Coastal and Marine Tourism and Protecting Destinations, has been developed in collaboration with Iberostar Group and Oxford Economics and underscores the dual need for climate action and resilience-building. Despite its economic importance, the environmental footprint from coastal and marine tourism calls for rapid mitigation and adaptation measures. The report also highlights that coastal and marine tourism directly contributed 0.8 per cent of global GHG emissions in 2023, equating to 390 million tonnes of CO₂. Coastal destinations worldwide, especially those in vulnerable regions, face mounting threats from climate change, including rising sea levels, extreme weather and coastal erosion.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Pacific coastal areas in particular are under severe strain, with rising climate-related displacement and economic losses posing urgent challenges. This makes it clear that investments in climate action are not just essential but urgent. The report was developed to support the Coastal Tourism Breakthrough under the leadership of the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, and the UN High Level Climate Champions, which, since COP22 in 2016, have been instrumental in mobilising non-state actors to advance the Paris Agreement’s objectives.

The Ocean Breakthroughs are transformative pathways covering five key ocean sectors: Marine Conservation, Shipping, Ocean Renewable Energy, Aquatic Food and Coastal Tourism. Accelerated action and investments in these sectors could deliver a reduction in GHG emissions of up to 35 per cent and contribute to a resilient, nature-positive and net-zero future by 2050.

Julia Simpson, President & CEO, WTTC, expressed her concern regarding the urgency stating, “Coastal and marine tourism is a lifeline for millions globally, generating $1.5 trillion to the world’s economy. But it’s on the frontline of climate change. Protecting our coast and marine life isn’t just an environmental necessity; it’s a social imperative. Our report quantifies the scale of the challenge. Reducing the environmental impact of coastal and marine tourism could cost US$ 65 billion every year. Given the economic and social value of coastal tourism we are calling on governments, development organisations and Travel & Tourism businesses to act now to safeguard these vital natural resources.”

Gloria Fluxa, Vice-Chairman and Chief Sustainability Officer, Iberostar Group and Chair of WTTC’s Sustainability Committee, added, “It is never too late to act. To safeguard our industry, its people, and the ecosystems we rely on, we must focus on mitigating our operations, transforming supply chains, and investing in nature with nature-based solutions for climate adaptation. Decarbonisation and adaptation are essential investments to building a resilient, nature-positive tourism model.” Fluxa added they support the Ocean and Climate Platform’s call for bold investments in coastal resilience. “The Coastal Tourism Breakthrough under the Marrakesh Partnership offers a clear roadmap to cut emissions by up to 35 per cent. Now is the time for decisive action to ensure our destinations thrive for generations,” she added.

Elaborating on the topic, Loreley Picourt, Executive Director, Ocean and Climate Platform stated, “These findings were developed in support of the Coastal Tourism Breakthrough, one of the five pillars of the Ocean Breakthroughs developed under the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action to deliver for Climate, Nature and People. Since COP22 in 2016, the Marrakech Partnership has been instrumental in bringing civil society together to drive ambition towards achieving the Paris Agreement’s objectives.” He added that the Ocean Breakthroughs, which cover marine conservation, shipping, ocean renewable energy, aquatic food and coastal tourism, highlight where accelerated action and investment could yield up to a 35 per cent reduction in global GHG emissions. “Together, they offer a powerful blueprint toward a resilient, nature-positive, net-zero future by 2050,” he shared.

As climate change increasingly threatens coastal ecosystems through rising sea levels, extreme weather events and coral bleaching, the tourism industry in India must adapt to ensure its long-term viability. The solution is to integrate sustainable tourism practices, introduce coastal protection initiatives and climate-resilient infrastructure, adapt to changing weather patterns, increase awareness and engagement at community level, collaborate with international organisations and seek policy support from the governments, both at state and national levels.