Last Updated on June 4, 2024, 8:28 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Basseterre, St. Kitts: The Caribbean Island of St. Kitts signed ‘The Glasgow Declaration: A Commitment to a Decade of Tourism Climate Action,’ reasserting the island’s commitment to sustainable and climate-friendly tourism.
Diannille Taylor-Williams, Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, and International Transport of St. Kitts and Nevis, signed the Declaration at the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) held in Antigua and Barbuda.
“I am extremely proud climate action to have been the one to affirm St. Kitts’ dedication to climate action in the tourism sector through the signing of the Glasgow Declaration,” expressed Taylor-Williams with delight.
Marsha Henderson, Minister of Tourism et al., emphasized the importance of the commitment to sustainable tourism. She stated, “Our pledge to the Glasgow Declaration is more than a promise; it’s a testament to our unwavering dedication to safeguarding our island’s natural beauty and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.”
St. Kitts, as a signatory, joins a growing list of organizations and destinations committed to reduce tourism emissions by half by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050 at the earliest.
To support this commitment, the St. Kitts Ministry of Tourism will release a climate action plan within the coming year, developed with support from Sustainable Travel International, a leading organization focused on climate change mitigation in the tourism industry.
“By embracing climate action, we will not only protect St. Kitts’ vibrant ecosystems and rich cultural heritage but also strengthen our tourism sector against the tides of change,” added Marsha Henderson.
St. Kitts is partnering with Sustainable Travel International to measure the baseline carbon footprint of the country ‘s tourism industry and develop a Destination Climate Action Plan that sets out practical and actionable strategies to reduce it. The plan will also define adaptation measures to strengthen the island’s resilience to climate change impacts.
Paloma Zapata, CEO of Sustainable Travel International, commented on this milestone: “St. Kitts’s commitment to the Glasgow Declaration highlights their leadership in integrating climate action into their tourism strategy. We proudly support St. Kitts’s path to a more sustainable and resilient future.”
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
