Carbon offsetting and mitigation by Qld tourism enterprises
About the project
This project provides the first systematic evaluation and critical review of carbon offsetting and mitigation measures implemented by a range of Queensland tourism enterprises. This research examines how Queensland tourism enterprises are utilising carbon offsetting schemes, the motives of tourism operators for offsetting emissions and their role in business sustainability.
Tourism is the third largest export industry in Queensland and a priority sector in ClimateSmart Adaptation 2007-12. Assisting the industry to deal with climate change is:
- the Queensland Tourism Strategy: A 10-year vision for sustainable tourism (2006-2016)
- the Queensland Tourism Industry Council report, Climate change: A brief guide for tourism (QTIC, 2008)
- the Great Barrier Reef Tourism Climate Change Action Strategy 2009-2012 (GBRMPA, 2009).
Objective and vision
The key objective of the project is:
- to review carbon offsetting and other mitigation measures implemented by Queensland tourism enterprises in response to climate change and sustainability.
The vision for Tourism Queensland's Sustainable Regions program is:
- for Queensland to be recognised internationally and domestically as a sustainable tourism destination.
Research
The project research gathers data relevant to the Tourism Queensland ‘Tourism Environmental Indicators’ (response to climate change by tourism operators and carbon offsetting). This research will evaluate:
- what carbon mitigation and carbon offset measures have been adopted by different Queensland tourism enterprises and why,
- the influence of eco-certification schemes, government sustainability programs and environmental motives for carbon offset measures by tourism owner-operators, and
- the role of Tourism Queensland and tourism industry associations in promoting environmental sustainability (carbon mitigation) and carbon offsetting by operators.
Project team
This research for this project is being led by:
Funding
This research is funded by a ACSBD Building Research Momentum Grant.
Further information
Additional information about this tourism research project is available:
Publications
Zeppel, H. (2011). Climate change workshops for Great Barrier Reef marine tourism operators. Tourism in Marine Environments, 7(2), 95-98.
Zeppel, H. (2012). Collaborative governance for low-carbon tourism: Climate change initiatives by Australian tourism agencies. Current Issues in Tourism.
Zeppel, H. (2012). Climate change and tourism in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Current Issues in Tourism, 15(3), 287-292.
Zeppel, H. (2012). Tourism and the implications of climate change: Issues and actions (book review). International Journal of Tourism Policy, 4.
Zeppel, H. & Beaumont, N. (2012). The new green age: Carbon mitigation by Queensland tourism enterprises. In C. Lade & L. Melsen (eds.) CAUTHE 2012 Book of Proceedings: The New Golden Age of Tourism and Hospitality (pp. 630-647). Melbourne: La Trobe University.
Zeppel, H. & Beaumont, N. (2011). Carbon mitigation by environmentally certified tourism operators. In M. Hume & B. Todhunter (Eds.) Building Business Communities: Justice, Performance and Change (pp. 16-22). Creating a Sustainable Scholarly Community Colloquia 9th November 2011, Faculty of Business & Law, USQ Springfield.
Zeppel, H. & Beaumont, N. (2011). Climate change governance in Australian tourism: Collaboration for low-carbon tourism. In 2011 Research Symposium: Sustainability, Collaborative Governance and Tourism, 17-18 February 2011: Abstracts (pp. 44-47). Southern Cross University School of Tourism & Hospitality Management, Gold Coast.
Zeppel, H. & Beaumont, N. (2011). Green tourism futures: Climate change sesponses by Australian government tourism agencies. In M.J. Gross (Ed.) CAUTHE 2011 Conference: Tourism creating a brilliant blend. 8-11 February 2011. Adelaide: University of South Australia.
Zeppel, H. & Beaumont, N. (2012). Climate change and tourism futures: Responses by Australian tourism agencies. Tourism and Hospitality Research.
Zeppel, H. & Beaumont, N. (2012). Carbon mitigation by Queensland tourism enterprises. International Journal of Organisational Behaviour, 17(3).
Zeppel, H. & Beaumont, N. (2012). Carbon offsetting by Quensland tourism operators. In M. Hume (ed.) Regional Development: Connectedness, Business and Learning. 2012 Faculty of Business and Law Research Retreat, 20 June 2012. Faculty of Business and Law, USQ Springfield.
Zeppel, H. & Beaumont, N. (2013). Carbon offsetting by Queensland tourism enterprises: Environmental and business motivations. International Journal of Organisational Behaviour,18.
Working papers on climate change and tourism are at:
http://www.usq.edu.au/acsbd/publications/workingpapers.
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