Today, November 20, 2024, marks the 10th day of the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29), hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan. The spotlight is on Urbanisation, Transport, and Tourism, emphasizing their crucial roles in combating climate change. Addressing the challenges posed by climate change in urban areas demands active collaboration across all levels—local, regional, and global. Transportation, a critical sector in the climate conversation, is also underlined as a priority for reducing emissions and enhancing resilience.
Today features a historic milestone with the first-ever Tourism Day at a COP, aiming to elevate discussions on how tourism, both a contributor to and victim of climate change, can drive meaningful solutions.
Key highlights of the day include a high-level meeting on urbanisation and roundtables on green construction, transport and infrastructure, nature, health, resilience in cities, and financing urban climate action. A significant moment will be the launch of the COP29 MAP Declaration for Resilient and Healthy Cities, marking a commitment to urban climate resilience. Tourism-focused discussions will culminate in a high-level meeting and the unveiling of the COP29 Declaration on Enhanced Action in Tourism.
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As part of COP29’s Tourism Day, the following objectives have been outlined:
- Policy Change: Launch of the Baku Declaration to integrate tourism’s role in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and embed climate action in tourism policies.
- Sectoral Engagement: Strengthen the Glasgow Declaration by increasing tourism stakeholders’ commitments to climate mitigation and adaptation.
- Science-Based Approach: Promote the UN Statistical Framework (MST) to standardize measurement of tourism emissions and energy use.
- Institutionalization: Establish a global coordination mechanism to unify climate action in tourism across the UN System and key partners.
Some of the main points on today’s agenda include the following:
- Urban Mobility Challenges and Solutions (Organized by UITP): Exploring sustainable and inclusive urban mobility systems to tackle congestion and pollution in growing cities.
- Smart Cities and Urban Digital Transformation: Insights into how technology is reshaping urban living, transport management, and tourism services.
- Sustainable Public Transport Networks: Examining innovative strategies to expand and optimize urban transit systems while reducing environmental footprints.
- Rail Transport and Urban Connectivity (Organized by UIC): The role of rail networks in enhancing urban connectivity and reducing carbon emissions.
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- Impact of Urbanisation on Heritage Tourism (Organized by UNESCO): Balancing urban growth with the preservation of cultural heritage sites.
- Urban Tourism and Sustainable Development Goals: Discussions on aligning tourism growth in cities with sustainability and inclusivity objectives.
- Transport Infrastructure Investment and Financing (World Bank): Strategies for funding and developing modern transport systems in rapidly urbanizing regions.
- Shared Mobility and Ride-Hailing Innovations: Exploring the impact of emerging mobility services on urban transport dynamics and tourism.
- Tourism’s Role in Urban Revitalization: Case studies on how tourism can drive the regeneration of urban areas and create economic opportunities.
- Decarbonizing Urban Freight Transport: Advancing low-carbon solutions for the logistics sector in dense urban environments.
- Innovative Tourism Technologies in Urban Areas: Leveraging AI and IoT for seamless traveler experiences in cities.
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Day 10 of COP29 highlights the critical intersection of urbanization, transport, and tourism in addressing climate change. The launch of the Baku Declaration and Tourism Day initiatives underscore the growing importance of integrating tourism into the global climate agenda, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable development and collaboration across sectors. As the conference progresses, these efforts set the stage for tangible outcomes that can transform cities and communities worldwide.
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