While tourism is a key sector of the French economy, it also has a significant impact on the environment and the country's carbon footprint. In order to better understand the levers on which to act and the challenges to be met in terms of ecology, ADEME (Agence de la transition écologique), chaired by Sylvain Waserman, is publishing a report this year on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from tourism in France. The verdict: in 2022, the sector emitted 97 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2eq). Based on this study, we have listed the main sources of GHG emissions and the solutions proposed to make tourism more sustainable.
Tourism's carbon footprint: the main sources of emissions
Before looking at the main sources of GHG emissions in the tourism sector, it's important to point out that the study focuses on incoming tourism, representing 89% of stays. In other words, only people visiting France (mainland and overseas) and their activities are taken into account. French travel abroad is not included. Of all the factors examined (mobility, accommodation, catering, etc.), here are the three sectors with the highest emissions:
1- Transportation
Transportation is the leading source of GHG emissions in the tourism sector. Taking all modes of transport into account, it accounts for 69% of tourism's carbon footprint. Of these, air travel is the biggest emitter.
Let's take a concrete example: a trip from Paris toToulouse emits 304kg of CO2eq per passenger by plane, compared with 295kg for a combustion-powered car, and just 4.81kg per passenger by train. If you'd like to see the different impacts of your means of transport, theADEME website offers several comparators.
2- Accommodation
Accommodation is also an important factor. Hotels, campsites and vacation rentals consume a lot of energy for heating, air conditioning and lighting. In addition, waste management, land artificialisation and water consumption are major issues.
3- Tourist activities
Tourist activities such as boat trips, guided bus tours and winter sports have an impact on the environment. The equipment and infrastructure required for these activities consume energy and emit CO2. Not taken into account in this report, these activities also contribute to plastic pollution of the oceans.
Good to know the first step towards more sustainable tourism is to become aware of your impact on it at an individual level. To do this, calculate your carbon footprint.
Moving towards more sustainable tourism to reduce your carbon footprint
There are solutions for reducing your carbon footprint, and that of tourism in France. While the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME) recommends that tourists travel further afield, there are still solutions available to each and every one of us to limit our environmental impact.
Favoring more sustainable modes of transport
As we saw earlier, transport is the main source of CO2eq emissions. This is an important lever on which we can easily act. Taking the train, carpooling, cycling or hiking are all more environmentally-friendly ways of setting off on an adventure.
The article to read if you want to travel abroad, it's possible to do it without a plane! Discover our article on the most beautiful destinations accessible without a plane from France.
Choose accommodation with more responsible practices
When booking accommodation, pay close attention to the services on offer. Some hotels are increasingly inclined to adopt eco-responsible practices. However, it's best to opt for homestays, bed and breakfasts or woofing for the more courageous. The latter is part of a regenerative tourism approach.
Promoting sustainable tourism activities
France is a magnificent country, with landscapes that are best explored on foot or by bike. Don't hesitate to opt for hiking, biking or guided walking tours. You may even find tours that raise awareness of environmental issues.
Petit Futé tip tip: have you thought about solidarity travel?
Reducing the carbon footprint of tourism in France is a major challenge, as it represents 11% of the country's overall emissions. To meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement, the sector needs to reduce its GHG emissions by almost 50% by 2030. It is important to stress that the report only takes into account greenhouse gas emissions. Tourism also has an impact on plastic pollution and biodiversity. It is therefore essential to reduce the environmental impact of travel, in France and elsewhere.
