TS311: Sustainable Tourism Development

Carbon Footprint

Handout

2019

Carbon emission is one of the major issues that is talked about frequently in this modern
world where tourism has become an important sector. Carbon emission is defined as the
release of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Carbon emission is not only the emission
of carbon dioxide but also other harmful gases in the atmosphere. Hence, this write-up will
discuss more about carbon emission and carbon footprint and also discuss the itinerary made
by the group.

To begin with, carbon footprint is a measure which calculates the amount of carbon emission
in the atmosphere. According to Sundha & Melkania in their Journal, “carbon footprint is
explained as the measurement of the quantity of CO2 and other harmful gases in the
atmosphere emitted by an individual or an organization by the use of fossil fuels”, (Sundha &
Melkania, 2016). Carbon emission can be produced by travelling in car, taxi, plane, cruise
ship. It also includes activities which consume energy. Carbon emission not only poses
threats on the environment but also on the lives of people. When harmful gases or greenhouse
gases are released in the atmosphere, the Ozone layer gets damaged which allows the suns
raise to directly reach the surface of the earth. This leads to increase in the temperature and
also rise in the sea level which results in smaller islands getting underwater such as Kiribati.
Thus, carbon footprint in this case helps to calculate the total number of carbon produced by
an individual in a particular day.

Moving on, the study of carbon footprint has a wide range whereby the writers have different
ideas and beliefs about the definition and impact of carbon emission on the environment. In a
study about carbon footprint, the writer Weidema believes that carbon footprint “is seen as an
indicator which helps individuals to calculate the negative threats to the surrounding as a
result of excessive carbon in the atmosphere”, (Weidema et al. 2008). Comparing to this,
another writer, Wilson, states that carbon footprint “allows individuals to calculate and gain
knowledge about the influences of the behaviour of an individual towards global warming”,
(Wilson, 2015). Added on to another writer, Hrasky, it is believed that carbon footprint is a
simple representation of a number of problems that are associated with the bad impacts
harming the environment and degradation”, (Hrasky, 2012). All the three writer have their
own perspective towards carbon footprint, yet they in general have the same concept as they
all talk about the negativity of carbon footprint of the environment.

Moreover, the groups were given four questions of people travelling from one place to
another to prepare the itinerary and calculate the total carbon footprint calculated. The first
Itinerary was 6 tourists visiting Solomon Islands for 2 weeks. The 6 tourist were based in
Munda in Solomon Islands where they were given activities which included dive and
adventure tourism. The total amount of carbon footprint calculated was 5.5516 tons of
carbon. The second Itinerary was a family travelling to Fiji to spend 7 days’ holiday to an all-
inclusive resort. The resort that was chosen was Sheraton resort at Denarau. The family spent
most of their holiday at Denarau exploring the features and services that Denarau provided to
its guests. The total carbon footprint produced was 4.882344 tons of carbon. The third
itinerary was a couple travelling to different ports via cruise. For the couples most of the
activities were on the ship but on the days where the ship stopped over at the ports, the
couples explored the places. The carbon footprint produced by the couple was 62.87 tons of
carbon. Lastly, the fourth question was that a USP student was travelling to Singapore for an
extended weekend. The student was visiting his family and friends and so the carbon
emission produced by him was 1.33 tons of carbon. The carbon footprint was calculated
using the online carbon footprint calculator after analysing the itinerary of the 4 travels.

Furthermore, carbon footprint can be reduced to have a sustainable travel to save the
environment. There are many ways in which tourists can reduce carbon emission. Firstly,
tourists should travel with light baggage and travel using transports which produce less
carbon emission. For instance, carry only the things which are essential and instead of taking
a plane to travel to a neighbouring city, travel using a bus, train or car. Second way is by
Staying in hotels which is eco-friendlier and use more sources of renewable energy, together
with this tourist should consume food which uses local ingredients to be produced. Some
other ways in which carbon footprint can be reduced is by planting more trees, creating
awareness and following the process of Mitigation.

To conclude, it can be said that carbon footprint can be reduced if sustainable way of travel is
done. Referring to the Itinerary, the sustainable travel is done by the family in Question 2
whereas the least sustainable travel is of the couple in Question 2 and 6 tourists in Question 1.
The reason is that there is travel from boat and the travel takes long distance which produces
more carbon emission. Thus, sustainability is essential for the travellers follow to off-set
carbon emission because a study suggests that “carbon offsetting is a way to reduce the
consumption of carbon emission and looking for ideas that can save carbon dioxide at critical
places”, (Carbon Footprint, 2015).

Reference:

Air New Zealand. (2017, August 15). Retrieved from www.airnewzealand.com

bp Global. (2017, August). Retrieved from what is a carbon Foot Print:

http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp internet/global/

Carbon footprint Calculator. (2017). Retrieved from

http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calcutor.aspx

Carbon Footprint. (2015). A leading provider of full sustainability services. Retrieved

February 20, 2015, from http://www.carbonfootprint. com/
Carbon Footprint. (2017). Retrieved from CALCULATE:
http://www.carbonfootprint.com/measure.html

Carbon Neutral Tourist. (2012, November 23). Retrieved from LIFE09 ENV/GR/000297 :
http://carbontour.uest.gr/uploads/DELIVERABLE_5.2b_GUIDE_FOR_TOURISTS_EN.pdf

cleaner climate. (2017). Retrieved from travel emission and offset purchase calculators:
www.cleanerclimate.com/en/cacluators

Deale, C. (2013). Sustainability: Focusing on Hospitality, Tourism, and Travel. The Journal
of Sustainability Education.

Fiji Airways. (2017, August 15). Retrieved from Fiji Airways: www.fijiairways.com

Hrasky, S. 2012, "Carbon footprints and legitimation strategies: symbolism or

action?", Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 174-198.

P&O. (2017, August 03). Pacific Island Hopper. Retrieved from P&O:
https://www.pocruises.com.au/cruises/pacific-island-hopper/w743

P&O. (n.d.). Retrieved from PA.

Sundha, P. & Melkania, U. 2016, "Carbon footprinting: a tool for environmental

management", International Journal of Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology, vol. 9,
no. 2, pp. 247-257.

Weidema, B., Thrane, M., Christensen, P., Schmidt, J. and Lokke, S. 2008. Carbon Footprint:
A Catalyst for Life Cycle Assessment. Journal of Industrial Ecology 12.

Wilson, D.R.,PhD.M.S.N.R.N.I.B.C.L.C.A.H.N.-B.C.C.H.T. 2015, "Do You Know Your

Carbon Footprint?", International Journal of Childbirth Education, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 4-5.