dossier sur le tourisme et le développement durable

Tourism and the Environment
Figure 21: Impact on greenhouse-effect by a Paris-Nice journey depending on the means of transport
PGW100: Potential for global warming in 100 years
N.B. Cars: the range depends on the age of the car, on the cylinder and the type of journey (national roads or motorways). Planes:
the range depends on the type of plane. Two estimates have been supplied: one for the impact of carbon dioxide (CO2), the effects
of which are well-known, and the other for the impact on greenhouse-effect of all the pollutants emitted during the journey, whether
the effects are positive or negative. In the second case, the impact is less well known but estimated at least twice the radiating force
of CO2 (IPCC 1999). The effects of nitrogen oxides, of water vapour, of sulphuric oxides, of combustion trails are taken into account
here. Trains: the range depends on the source of energy used to produce the electricity for the high-speed trains from electricity or
hydraulic (0 or almost) to coal (47).
Source: Ifen from SNCF (french railways), Agence Européenne de l'Environnement (Copert III and MEET programs), IPCC, Airbus
Industries, EDF
At regional and national level, tourism contributes to the creation of transport facilities with its
benefits such as better service but also its problems such as noise, emission of pollutants,
splitting up of natural habitats. The countries of the northwest are especially concerned by the
role of tourism in the creation of motorways, the southern countries by the creation of airports.
The governments’ choice of infrastructures determines the tourists’ choice of transport.
Frame 11: The revival of ferry transport in the Croatian islands
Croatia has 1 185 islands, 67 of which are uninhabited. These islands play an important role in the
country’s tourist activity and their accessibility is important. Only a few islands near the coast (e.g.
Krk, Rab, Brac and Hvar) have so far exploited their tourist resources.
The larger islands (Krk and Brac) have their own airports, but creating runways on the smaller
islands would destroy their charm and cause negative environmental impact. The choice of tourist
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