Introduction

I am currently the Registrar of the Climate Friendly Travel (CFT) Registry, and I am advisor to the European Bamboo Programme, an initiative from Bamboologic BV .

I have been aware of the need for climate action for many years.  Previously, I was the Director-General of the International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation (INBAR), an Inter-Governmental treaty-based organisation with its Headquarters in Beijing, China.  In my capacity as the Chief Executive, I spoke at every climate Conference of Parties to highlight the opportunities bamboo provides for climate change mitigation and adaptation.  Prior to that, I was Pan-European Regional Director of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).  IUCN has been the lead agency in developing and promoting the concept of Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Development, including an important role for climate action.  As Regional Director for Europe, I helped to liaise with the various European Union authorities in Brussels, and the many Government and non-Government Members of IUCN throughout Europe.

I am trying to reduce my personal carbon footprint as much as possible.  I eat less meat, I do not use the car for any travel in town, I walk as much as possible, I separate my waste.  Living on an island means that international travel involves flying, but I mitigate my carbon footprint through carbon offset schemes.  I also decided that in future most of my work-related meetings will be through the internet, rather than face-to-face physical discussions.

However, my main impact will not be a result of what changes I make to my life style, but what I do as Registrar and as Advisor.  Let me explain.

Registrar of the Climate Friendly Travel Registry

The idea of a Climate Neutral 2050 Ambitions Registry was built into the 2015 Paris Agreement, as a way for Parties to transparently declare and progressively increase their carbon reduction ambitions for 2050, so as to secure global temperatures stabilised at tolerable levels for human survival.  These so called Nationally Determined Contributions are then filed and routinely updated on the UN Global Climate Action Portal.  The Registry was subsequently extended to include the ambitions of non-state actors – regions, cities, companies and other stakeholders.

In 2019 progress with climate action in the tourism sector was reviewed by Sunx Malta and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).  They noted the limited engagement of Travel & Tourism stakeholders and they reached agreement with UN climate agency to create a CFT Registry.  This Registry will serve as the conduit and data provider from the tourism Sector to the Global Climate Action Portal, enabling full participation in the mainstream global climate action programmes.

The CFT Registry will be open to all Travel & Tourism companies and communities, whether or not they have created a 2050 Carbon Neutral Ambition Plan.  It will cover transport, hospitality, travel service and infrastructure providers – from the smallest to the largest.  We are following the UN Climate Action Portal criteria, and we ask for clear indicators that are leading to a reduction of carbon emissions of 50% by 2030, and zero carbon by 2050.  Registrants who are starting the carbon reduction multi-decade strategy will have two years to benefit from the knowledge and support systems, as well as access the innovation, strategy, learning and visibility Hubs.  Registrants already embarked on a 2050 Plan will be able to readily incorporate their details in the Registry with little or no extra work, by cross-referencing any other mainstream carbon reduction initiative they are involved with.

As the Registrar, my task is to encourage all relevant stakeholders to register their carbon reduction ambitions on the CFT Registry, and to link this to the Global Climate Action Portal.

Pexels – pixabay

Advisor to the European Bamboo Programme

The concept of a European Bamboo Programme was developed during the past years as a response to several crises.  The agricultural sector in southern Europe needs renewed energy, as many young people are not keen to become farmers.  They are looking for alternative, exciting cropping systems.  The market for bamboo products in Europe is thriving, but the products are imported, mainly from Asia and Latin America, and that creates a significant carbon footprint for most products.  If we could produce these products locally from bamboo grown in Europe, the carbon footprint would be so much smaller.  Moreover, the European Green deal calls for afforestation and greening, and the creation of effective carbon sinks, and bamboo plantations are arguably one of the most effective natural carbon sinks available. The European Bamboo Programme has started in Alcoutim Province, Portugal, and will in time be expanded within the country and into neighbouring EU Member States.

I have a career in bamboo development, and I am global Ambassador of the World Bamboo Organisation.  I therefore agreed to become advisor to the European Bamboo Programme, as I see the immense opportunity to combine climate change mitigation and socio-economic development in parts of southern Europe that are crying out for innovation.  As Advisor, I am promoting the planting of bamboo as a natural carbon sink through social media, personal contacts and lobbying.

Lots of bamboo ready for planting in Portugal

My carbon reduction commitments

In short, my carbon reduction commitments are:

  • To try and reduce my personal carbon footprint where possible
  • To encourage all travel and tourism companies and communities to develop and register their carbon reduction plans on the Climate Friendly Travel Registry
  • To support the creation of effective natural carbon sinks in southern Europe.
  • To continue to communicate the existential threat of climate change, and the emergency to reduce carbon emissions