Electric aviation and renewable energy among shifts needed for the Pacific to build a more sustainable tourist industry
Fri 15 Dec 2023 01.48 CET
One of the biggest challenges in weaning off fossil fuels – and one that is often forgotten – is aviation. But for Pacific Island countries that poses a major conundrum. Right now, it would be effectively impossible to get to the Pacific islands without burning kerosene.
Aviation connects families across the region and allows for essential travel, including for health and education. Flights also form the backbone of the growing and vital tourism industry. Tourism is now the biggest economic sector in the Pacific and it can bring many development benefits.
As highly vulnerable island states, the goal of ridding the region of fossil fuels is an important one. The need to urgently transition away from fossil fuels is now also firmly embedded in the global climate framework through this week’s agreement made at Cop28…