Working document N° 2/2022: the carbon footprint of tourism in Bolivia

Summary

The tourism sector generates greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, impacting climate change, and at the same time, it is the sector most vulnerable to climate change. This study estimates the greenhouse gas emissions by activities associated with tourism in Bolivia during 2019. The goal is to provide a baseline and a diagnostic that identifies better opportunities and actions for all parties involved (hotels, travel agencies, tourists, service providers, etc). The results show that in 2019, 338,008 tons of CO2eq were generated, emissions equivalent to those generated by the deforestation of 749 hectares of tropical forest in Bolivia. The primary source of emissions is air transport, at 63%, followed by land transport at 22%, hotels and lodging at 8%, food at 7%, and waste generation at 0.24%. This document provides actions to reduce emissions, to be applied at different levels and by different parties. 

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