The first set of commitments to act recognized the catalytic role of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism which was launched at UNFCCC COP26 in November 2021. The implementation of the Glasgow Declaration is led by UNWTO, within the framework of the One Planet network. Less than a year after its launch,  this voluntary commitment has gathered more than 500 signatories agreeing to raise their climate ambitions by committing to support the global goals to halve carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050; to develop or update climate action plans within 12 months of becoming signatories; to align their plans with five pathways, namely: measure, decarbonize, regenerate, collaborate and finance; to report publicly on progress made; and to work collaboratively.

During the session, Visit Finland announced its signature of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism and its ambitious commitments to support halving emissions over the next decade and reach Net Zero emissions as soon as possible before 2050. During the announcement, Visit Finland also disclosed names of 30 Finnish companies that joined the movement and signed the Glasgow Declaration following Visit Finland’s leadership and multiplier role as a destination management organization.

Smart planning of destinations is key for the effective implementation of climate plans as well as management of waste and pollution. Mastercard joined the session and announced the commitment to support tourism destinations at developing a smart planning though use of data collected from Mastercard users.

This commitment allowed the plenary to hear the announcement of the Regional Science Partners for SCP. This Partnership is carried forward by leading scientific institutions to support national governments and other stakeholders in the regions with contextual and targeted scientific evidence for policymaking. This effort is led by the One Planet network, Life Cycle Initiative, Go4SDGs and the International Resource Panel, in collaboration with UNEP Regional Offices and UN Economic Commissions (UNECA, UNESCAP, UNECLAC), and supported by WU Vienna and CSIRO.

The focus of the Regional Science Partners for SCP in the first year of this partnership will be to support the use of the SCP Hotspot Analysis Tool for science-driven policy-making and interventions at national and regional level, in collaboration with the UN agencies in the region. Beyond the first year, the focus of the Science Partners for SCP will be re-evaluated and determined based on the regional and national support and capacity needs observed.