BACKGROUND GUIDE
COMMITTEE: UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT
PROGRAMME (UNEP)
AGENDA: MITIGATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT OF MASS TOURISM
1 INTRODUCTION TO THE AGENDA
1.1 WHY THIS AGENDA WAS CHOSEN
Mass tourism has rapidly emerged as one of the most significant economic and
social phenomena of the 21st century. Over 1.2 billion tourists crossed international
borders in 2017, and this number is projected to reach 1.8 billion by 2030. While
tourism contributes nearly 10% of global GDP and provides one in ten jobs, its rapid
expansion has produced substantial environmental and social consequences.
Deforestation, coral reef destruction, freshwater scarcity, greenhouse gas emissions,
and disruption of local communities are direct results of uncontrolled tourism.
UNEP has prioritised this agenda because balancing tourism’s undeniable economic
benefits with environmental protection is critical for long-term sustainability.
1.2 IMPORTANCE OF THIS AGENDA
Tourism is estimated to contribute approximately 8–10% of global greenhouse gas
emissions, with aviation and cruise sectors being the most carbon-intensive. The
uncontrolled expansion of resorts, unplanned coastal development, and poor waste
management further exacerbate pressures on ecosystems and biodiversity. If
current trends continue, tourism-related waste is projected to more than double by
2050, while energy and water consumption will rise dramatically. Addressing this
agenda is therefore vital to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate
Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
1.3 MANDATE
Established in 1972 at the Stockholm Conference, UNEP serves as the leading global
authority on the environment. Its mandate is to provide leadership, encourage
partnerships, and promote coherent action for the environmental dimension of
sustainable development. UNEP advances its mission through global assessments,
policy guidance, capacity-building, and coordination with governments and civil
society. Tourism, as a major driver of consumption and environmental degradation,
falls directly within UNEP’s scope of responsibility. UNEP is committed to advancing
sustainable tourism practices by reducing carbon emissions, conserving
biodiversity, promoting sustainable consumption, and fostering inclusive
development.
1.4 WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE TOURISM?
Sustainable tourism refers to tourism that takes full account of its current and
future economic, social, and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of
visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities. Unlike mass tourism,
which focuses on volume and profit, sustainable tourism emphasises minimizing
negative impacts and enhancing the long-term benefits of tourism to communities
and ecosystems.
1.5 IMPACT OF MASS TOURISM ON ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
Mass tourism exerts wide-ranging pressures on the environment and society.
Environmentally, it contributes to deforestation, pollution, coral reef bleaching, and
excessive greenhouse gas emissions. Socially, mass tourism often leads to
overcrowding, cultural commodification, displacement of local populations, and
inequitable distribution of tourism revenue. The challenge lies in ensuring that
tourism can continue to support economic growth without undermining
environmental integrity and social equity.
2 BLOC POSITIONS
Countries have adopted varied approaches towards sustainable tourism. Their
positions can be broadly grouped into three categories:
2.1 SUPPORTERS OF STRONG SUSTAINABLE TOURISM REGULATIONS
European Union: Beyond eco-certification, the EU enforces strict regulations on
aviation emissions through the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and has established
funding programs for coastal protection. It also promotes limits on cruise ship
traffic in environmentally sensitive areas.
Norway: Apart from promoting eco-tourism, Norway has invested in electrification
of fjord cruises, providing incentives for zero-emission ships. It supports indigenous
tourism practices aligned with sustainability.
Switzerland: Encourages mountain eco-tourism and supports global climate
initiatives through financial contributions to UNEP programs. It advocates for
reduced plastic consumption in the tourism value chain.
SIDS (Small Island Developing States): The Maldives and Seychelles lead
international advocacy for linking tourism resilience with climate financing. They
demand blue economy models that integrate fisheries, coral reef protection, and
renewable energy.
2.2 MODERATE OR MIXED POSITIONS
United States: While focusing on voluntary commitments, the U.S. has launched
initiatives on green airports and sustainable aviation fuels. It highlights tourism’s
role in conservation through public-private partnerships.
India: Implements eco-tourism circuits, promotes sustainable pilgrimage tourism,
and invests in renewable energy for resorts. India advocates for balancing
livelihoods of local communities with environmental integrity.
Brazil: Promotes Amazon eco-tourism while struggling with deforestation
pressures. Brazil has launched national park initiatives to combine biodiversity
conservation with tourism revenues.
Mexico: Has adopted community-based tourism programs in Oaxaca and Chiapas,
combining indigenous culture with sustainable practices. It also supports
regulations against overdevelopment in coastal areas.
2.3 CAUTIOUS OR OPPOSING POSITIONS
China: Invests heavily in eco-cities and renewable energy for new tourism
infrastructure but prioritizes economic growth and infrastructure projects that
often strain ecosystems. Promotes large-scale domestic tourism campaigns.
Russia: Focuses on Arctic tourism development, such as cruises and natural parks,
but sustainability regulations remain weak. Economic benefits are prioritized over
environmental protection.
Thailand: Expands beach and cultural tourism while experimenting with caps on
visitors in marine parks. However, state control limits local participation.
Turkey: Prioritizes cultural tourism in heritage-rich cities but faces criticism for
inadequate regulation of coastal development. Limited involvement of local
communities in decision-making.
3 HISTORY OF UNEP
Year Key Development
1972 UNEP established at Stockholm
Conference.
1987 Montreal Protocol on ozone-depleting
substances negotiated with UNEP support.
1992 Rio Earth Summit: Agenda 21, Convention
on Biological Diversity, and UNFCCC.
2002 International Year of Ecotourism.
2012 Rio+20 strengthens UNEP’s mandate and
universal membership.
2015 UNEP supports Paris Agreement and SDGs.
2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism
for Development.
2019 Launch of One Planet Sustainable Tourism
Programme.
2021 Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in
Tourism.
2022 Global Plastics Treaty negotiations
facilitated by UNEP.
2023–2025 UNEA resolutions emphasise resilience and
sustainable tourism.
4 CURRENT GLOBAL CHALLENGES OF MASS
TOURISM
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, global tourism has rapidly rebounded, reviving
employment and economic growth but reintroducing environmental challenges.
Greenhouse gas emissions from aviation and cruises are rising, overtourism is again
straining popular destinations such as Venice, Barcelona, and Bali, and fragile
ecosystems like coral reefs remain under threat. At the same time, governments and
industries are increasingly adopting sustainability measures such as visitor caps,
eco-certification, digital management platforms, and commitments under the
Glasgow Declaration to halve emissions by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050.
5 PAST INTERNATIONAL ACTIONS
The global community has consistently recognised the importance of sustainable
tourism. Key initiatives include:
- UN General Assembly Resolution 79/220 (2024), emphasising tourism’s role in
protecting natural areas.
- The 2002 International Year of Ecotourism, raising global awareness.
- The 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.
- UNWTO’s Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and Framework Convention on
Tourism Ethics.
- UNEP–UNWTO joint management of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism
Programme under the 10YFP.
- Integration of sustainable tourism into the Convention on Biological Diversity and
UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention.
6 UN INVOLVEMENT
UNEP collaborates closely with UNWTO, UNESCO, UNDP, and other UN bodies to
mainstream sustainability in tourism. It supports national governments through
technical assistance, pilot projects, and policy guidance. Examples include low-
carbon tourism in Asia, plastic reduction strategies in SIDS, and visitor management
at UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The UN General Assembly and UNEA reinforce SCP
(Sustainable Consumption and Production) policies, while private sector
commitments under UNEP partnerships drive corporate responsibility in tourism.
7 COUNTRY CONTRIBUTIONS AND INITIATIVES
Several countries have pioneered innovative approaches to sustainable tourism:
European Union: In addition to eco-certification, the EU funds research on
sustainable tourism innovations and mandates climate impact assessments for
large-scale projects. It has adopted directives on waste reduction in tourist
destinations.
India: Beyond the National Strategy (2022), India promotes Himalayan eco-tourism,
wildlife sanctuary tourism, and sustainable practices in pilgrimage hubs such as
Varanasi and Kedarnath.
United Arab Emirates: Apart from green tourism branding, the UAE has developed
carbon-neutral desert resorts, integrated solar power in hotels, and advanced digital
platforms for tracking tourism sustainability metrics.
Costa Rica: Pioneers Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) programs, rewarding
communities for preserving forests and biodiversity while benefiting from eco-
tourism. It has also achieved near-100% renewable electricity, linking tourism to
clean energy.
SIDS (e.g., Maldives, Seychelles, Fiji): Advocate for debt-for-climate swaps to
finance sustainable tourism, promote marine-protected areas, and lobby for
stronger global climate policies.
8 CURRENT UNEP INITIATIVES AND
IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES
UNEP currently spearheads initiatives under the One Planet Sustainable Tourism
Programme, the Glasgow Declaration, and the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative. It also
provides capacity-building to governments, promotes sustainable investment, and develops
metrics for measuring tourism’s environmental impact. Partnerships with private sector
actors are advancing commitments to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency, and
transition to circular economy models.
9 KEY TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
Mass Tourism: Large-scale, standardised travel to popular destinations, often with negative
impacts.
Sustainable Tourism: Tourism that balances economic, social, and environmental needs.
Overtourism: Excess visitor numbers degrading environment, culture, or community well-
being.
Ecotourism: Low-impact tourism supporting conservation and communities.
Carbon Footprint: Total emissions produced by tourism-related activities including
transport and accommodation.
Carrying Capacity: Maximum number of visitors a site can sustain without irreversible
damage.
Circular Economy: An economic system aimed at eliminating waste and continually reusing
resources.
Community-Based Tourism: Tourism owned, operated, and controlled by local communities
for equitable benefit-sharing.
Blue Economy: Sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved
livelihoods, and ocean health.
Visitor Management Systems: Digital or regulatory tools to manage and limit tourism
pressures on fragile ecosystems.
10 SUGGESTED MODERATED CAUCUS TOPICS
- Mechanisms to reduce emissions from aviation and cruise tourism.
- Strategies to prevent overtourism in fragile ecosystems and heritage sites.
- Financing mechanisms to support developing countries in sustainable tourism.
- Role of global eco-certification and sustainability standards.
- Private sector engagement in reducing plastics and emissions in tourism.
- Leveraging technology for visitor management and monitoring.
- Encouraging behavioural change among tourists through education and awareness
campaigns.
- Developing frameworks for resilient tourism in climate-vulnerable regions.
11 QUESTIONS A RESOLUTION MUST ANSWER
(QARMA)
1. How can emissions from tourism be reduced in line with the Paris Agreement?
2. What measures can effectively manage overtourism while ensuring community benefits?
3. How can vulnerable states be supported in building climate-resilient tourism sectors?
4. Should UNEP advocate for binding global standards on sustainable tourism?
5. How can international cooperation between UNEP, UNWTO, and UNESCO be
strengthened?
6. What mechanisms can enhance private sector accountability in tourism?
7. How can tourist behavior be influenced to reduce environmental impacts?
8. What frameworks can promote equitable distribution of tourism revenues in developing
countries?
12 SUGGESTED SOURCES AND REFERENCES
UNEP official website- [Link]
UN official website- [Link]
The CIA Worl Factbook- [Link]
Reuters- [Link]
Government ministries of tourism and environment (India, USA, EU)
UNEP – Sustainable tourism resources and policy briefs.
UNGA Resolutions 79/220 (2024) and 77/178 (2022).
UNWTO – Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.
WTTC/UNEP – Net Zero Roadmap for Travel & Tourism.
UNESCO – World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme.