Sail Scotland join VisitScotland and Wild Scotland to step up the country’s commitment to responsible tourism and tackling climate change.
Sail Scotland will join VisitScotland and Wild Scotland to step up the country’s commitment to responsible tourism and tackling climate change.
Through their activity, these three organisations will aim to play a leading role in the development of Scotland as a globally recognised responsible destination. They have pledged to take action to reduce carbon emissions and support businesses to do the same. With the tourism industry facing huge challenges due to the pandemic, their plans recognise the importance of balancing necessary business survival with a sustainable and responsible recovery.
The collaborative partnership joins a growing list of over one hundred travel groups, businesses and individuals who have declared under the banner Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency; an initiative committed to coming together to find solutions to the climate crisis. The initiative aims to encourage positive contributions toward addressing climate change, especially as the sector looks to recover from COVID-19.
VisitScotland will become the first national tourism organisation in the world to sign up to the Tourism Declares initiative.
Sail Scotland is committing to minimise future activities in terms of potential climate impact and promote the principles behind Tourism Declares across their business networks operating in the Marine Tourism sector.
Alan Rankin CEO at Sail Scotland said. “The Marine Tourism sector is critically aware and respectful of the environment it operates within. A global threat is a local threat to Scotland and to the quality and range of experiences enjoyed in some of the most stunning waters and coastlines in the world. There can be no better advocates for our environment than the people who commit their lives to work in and around it. The time for action is now and we are pleased to be declaring alongside Wild Scotland and VisitScotland.”
As part of its plan Sail Scotland commits to develop a meaningful Climate Emergency Plan and widely share and seek support for their Declaration and Plan. They will act as an advocate for change across the industry and lobby for change to accelerate to net zero carbon travel. Actions will also be undertaken to encourage members, suppliers and partners, including government bodies to declare a Climate Emergency and to produce their own Climate Emergency Plans. The commitment will also see Sail Scotland share information and best practice on how to create and implement a Climate Emergency Plan through practical solutions generated by businesses.
The declaration also comes less than a year from Glasgow playing host to COP26 (1-12 November 2021), where nations will come together to review commitments and strengthen ambitions made in the Paris Climate Agreement.
Speaking about the declaration, Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive, VisitScotland said:
“These are incredibly challenging times for businesses across the country and during our response to the pandemic, responsible recovery has been key. The declarations of our industry partners Wild Scotland and Sail Scotland, and activity holidays specialists Wilderness Scotland before them, represent the strength of collective feeling that exists across the industry to rebuild responsibly and protect our beautiful country for generations to come.”
The declaration also comes less than a year from Glasgow playing host to COP26 (1-12 November 2021), where nations will come together to review commitments and strengthen ambitions made in the Paris Climate Agreement.
Sail Scotland Declaration Here
VisitScotland Declaration Here
Wild Scotland Declaration Here
Find out more about Tourism Declares Here
