While it seems the introduction of emissions passports could spell the end of travel, we checked out what the predictions are. What exactly is an emission passport?
Many are concerned that emission passport means the end of travels. Every year we witness many extreme weather conditions, from devastating fires to floods. Climate change is taking its toll, and humanity is the biggest contributor to climate change and environmental pollution.
The tourism segment with air transport is one of the major polluters. Travel accounts for as much as 8% of global CO2 emissions - aviation accounts for 2.5 % of this total. Can we therefore expect the end of travel?
In a recent Intrepid Travel report, they state that reducing personal carbon emissions could help prevent pollution and the 'extinction' of popular holiday destinations. The current tourism model is unsustainable. By having each individual bear the tax for their travels, it would become more equal and regenerative.
The report has raised questions about what an 'emissions passport' is and how likely the prediction is. According to Intrepid Travel, it's a passport that assigns each traveler an annual carbon footprint they can't exceed. Created in collaboration with The Future Laboratory, the report explains: “These permits will manifest as passports that will force people to allocate their carbon in line with a global carbon budget of 750 billion tonnes by 2050 .By 2040, we can expect to see restrictions on the amount of travel allowed each year."
According to Intrepid Travel, a flight between New York and London generates 986 kg of CO2 per passenger, which is "more than the average person produces annually in 56 countries, including Paraguay and Burundi".
Does this mean the end of travel?
Currently, there are no official announcements or projects regarding the design and introduction of said passports. But something like this is to be expected, as governments and travel agencies have become increasingly sensitive to climate change and carbon emissions in recent decades. But the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report found that most policies are not on track to meet countries' 2030 targets.
