Turks and Caicos Islands

Lines A and B in Figure 4.2.1 represent emission pathways for the global economy under a -3% per year (A) and -6%
per year (B) emission reduction scenario, with emissions peaking in 2015 (A) and 2025 (B) respectively. Both scenarios
are based on the objective of avoiding a +2°C warming threshold by 2100 (for details see Scott et al. 2010). As
indicated, a business-as-usual scenario in tourism, considering current trends in energy efficiency gains, would lead to
rapid growth in emissions from the sector (line C). By 2060, the tourism sector would account for emissions exceeding
the emissions budget for the entire global economy (intersection of line C with line A or B).
Figure 4.2.1: Global CO2 emission pathways versus unrestricted tourism emissions growth
(Source: Scott et al., 2010)
Achieving emission reductions in tourism in line with global climate policy will consequently demand
considerable changes in the tourism system, with a reduction in overall energy use, and a switch to
renewable energy sources. Such efforts will have to be supported through technology change, carbon
management, climate policy, behavioural change, education and research (Gössling, 2010). Carbon taxes
and emissions trading are generally seen as key mechanisms to achieve emissions reductions (OECD &
UNEP, 2011). Destinations and tourism stakeholders consequently need to engage in planning for a lowcarbon
future.
The Caribbean perspective
It is widely acknowledged that the Caribbean accounts for only 0.2% of global emissions of CO2, with a
population of 40 million, i.e. 0.6% of the world’s population (Dulal et al., 2009). Within the region,
emissions are however highly unequally distributed between countries, Figure 4.2.2. For instance, Trinidad
& Tobago, as an oil-producing country, has annual per capita emissions reaching those of high emitters
such as the USA (25 t CO2). The Cayman Islands (7 t CO2 per capita per year) are emitting in the same order
as countries such as Sweden. Turks and Caicos is emitting more (5.0 t CO2, in 2007; UNSTATS, 2009) on a
per capita basis than the current world annual average of 4.3 t CO2, with estimated national total emissions
of 183,000 t CO2, given a population of 36,600 (in 2008; DEPS, 2009). Note that no official estimate of
greenhouse gas emissions is available.
In the future, global emissions have to decline considerably below 4.3 t CO2 per year – the
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