By 2050, Italy Could Lose A Fifth Of Its Iconic Beaches Due To Climate Change And Rising Sea Levels, New Study Warns – Travel And Tour World

Report on the Impact of Climate Change on European Tourism and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Climate Change as a Driver of Tourism Transformation

Recent extreme weather events, particularly the 2023 European heatwave, are significantly altering traditional tourism patterns. These shifts highlight the direct consequences of climate change and underscore the urgent need for the tourism sector to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 13 (Climate Action). This report analyses the observed changes in tourist behaviour, the socio-economic implications for host regions, and the adaptive strategies being developed to foster a more resilient and sustainable tourism model.

Analysis of Climate-Induced Tourism Shifts and Health Implications

Impacts on Health and Well-being (SDG 3)

The increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves pose a direct threat to public health, a core concern of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The consequences are severe and measurable:

• The 2023 European heatwave, with temperatures reaching 40-45°C, was linked to over 47,000 heat-related deaths.
• This followed a trend from the previous year, which saw more than 68,000 heat-related fatalities on the continent.
• Personal accounts, such as those from tourists in Rhodes during the 2023 wildfires, describe conditions as “unbearable,” severely diminishing the quality and safety of holiday experiences.

Evolving Tourist Behaviours and Consumption Patterns (SDG 12)

In response to climate-related risks, tourists are demonstrating a significant shift in behaviour, moving towards more responsible consumption and travel choices as outlined in SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

• A European Travel Commission (ETC) report indicates that 81% of Europeans have adjusted their holiday plans due to climate change factors.
• Nearly one-third of travellers are now actively choosing destinations with milder weather conditions.
• A notable trend is the move away from peak summer travel, with an increase in holidays taken during cooler months like spring and autumn. This shift helps mitigate the effects of overtourism and promotes a more balanced, year-round tourism economy.

Economic and Community Resilience in Tourism-Dependent Regions

Challenges and Opportunities for Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)

The traditional “sun and sand” tourism model, a cornerstone of many Mediterranean economies, faces significant disruption. This presents both challenges and opportunities for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

1. Economic Threat: Nations such as Greece, Spain, and Italy, which rely heavily on summer tourism, may experience economic strain as tourists seek cooler destinations.
2. Adaptation for Sustainability: Tourist boards and local authorities are investing in strategies to combat seasonality. By promoting year-round tourism, they aim to create more stable employment and sustainable economic models, moving away from precarious seasonal work.
3. Policy Innovation: In 2024, Greece introduced a “climate crisis resilience tax” to fund rebuilding efforts after climate-related disasters, demonstrating a proactive approach to financing adaptation and resilience.

Building Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SDG 11)

The mass evacuation of 19,000 people from Rhodes due to wildfires underscores the vulnerability of communities to climate disasters, making the objectives of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) critically important. Adaptation strategies include:

• Developing new tourism products focused on non-peak seasons, such as hiking and wellness trails in regions like Germany’s Spessart.
• Modifying local activities to adapt to extreme heat, such as offering evening markets and late-night walking tours.
• Investing in improved infrastructure and emergency response mechanisms to protect both residents and visitors.

Environmental Consequences and Future Outlook

Threats to Ecosystems (SDG 14 & SDG 15)

Climate change poses a direct threat to the natural assets upon which tourism depends, impacting SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

• Coastal Erosion: Projections indicate that sea-level rises could lead to severe loss for a fifth of the Mediterranean’s sandy coastline by 2050, threatening beachside resorts.
• Terrestrial Degradation: Increased frequency of wildfires, as seen in Greece, destroys terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity, harming the natural appeal of tourist destinations.

Emerging Trends and the Future of Sustainable Tourism

The confluence of these factors is catalysing a diversification of holiday destinations and types.

• New Destinations: There is growing interest in Northern European countries like Iceland and Finland, as well as alternative beach destinations such as Albania and Montenegro, which offer milder summer climates.
• Domestic Tourism: “Staycations” are becoming more popular, with 28% of UK holidaymakers citing warmer domestic temperatures as a reason to holiday at home.
• Potential Tipping Point: Experts warn that continued extreme weather events could permanently alter public perception, shifting the image of the Mediterranean from a desirable summer destination to one that is “unbearably hot.” This potential shift reinforces the critical need for immediate and sustained climate action (SDG 13) to ensure the long-term viability of the global tourism industry.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights several issues related to climate change’s impact on tourism, health, and economies, which directly connect to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article explicitly discusses the severe health consequences of extreme heatwaves.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The text explores the economic impact of changing tourism patterns on destinations that rely heavily on the industry, and the shift towards more sustainable, year-round models.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article addresses the vulnerability of communities and tourist destinations to climate-related disasters like wildfires and the need for resilience and adaptation.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: This is the central theme, as the entire article revolves around the impacts of climate change (heatwaves, wildfires, sea-level rise) and the urgent need for adaptation strategies.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: The article touches upon the threat of rising sea levels and coastal erosion to beachside resorts, which are part of coastal ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the specific issues discussed, the following targets can be identified:

1. Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.
   • Explanation: The article’s mention of “more than 47,000 heat-related deaths throughout Europe in 2023” and “more than 68,000 people” in the previous year directly points to a major health risk exacerbated by climate change, highlighting the need for better risk management.
2. Target 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
   • Explanation: The article discusses how tourist destinations are adapting to climate change by shifting away from seasonal dependency. It notes that making tourism year-round is “much more sustainable for a hotel to stay open all year round [and] jobs are more stable,” which aligns with promoting sustainable tourism for stable employment.
3. Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters…
   • Explanation: The wildfires in Rhodes, which led to the evacuation of “some 19,000 people,” is a clear example of a climate-related disaster affecting a large population. The new “climate crisis resilience tax” in Greece is a direct policy response to fund rebuilding after such disasters, addressing the economic losses.
4. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Explanation: The entire article is a case study on this target. It describes how tourists are adapting by changing holiday plans (“81% of Europeans say they have tweaked their holiday plans”) and how destinations are building resilience by “developing new trails and promoting activities such as hiking, biking and wellness” or offering “evening markets and indoor activities during the hottest parts of the day.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Mortality rate attributed to disasters: The article provides specific figures, such as “more than 47,000 heat-related deaths throughout Europe in 2023,” which can be used as a direct indicator for the health impacts of climate-related disasters (relevant to Targets 3.d and 11.5).
• Number of people affected by disasters: The mention that “some 19,000 people were evacuated” during the Rhodes wildfires serves as an indicator of the number of people directly affected by climate-related hazards (relevant to Target 11.5).
• Adoption of national and local disaster risk reduction strategies: The implementation of the “climate crisis resilience tax” in Greece is a concrete example of a national strategy. At a local level, towns offering “evening markets” and the German region of Spessart “shifting its focus to year-round tourism” are examples of local adaptation strategies (relevant to Target 13.1).
• Changes in tourism patterns: The article provides data points that indicate a shift towards more sustainable, year-round tourism. These include “a 20% increase in spring tourism in 2024” in Greece and a “20% increase” in foreign arrivals to Spain in January and February 2025. These metrics can measure the success of policies under Target 8.9.
• Projected environmental impact: Figures like “Sea level rises are projected to increase by around 0.8-0.9m by 2100” and the potential for “a fifth of the sandy coastline of the Mediterranean” to face severe loss by 2050 are indicators of the increasing threat to coastal areas, underscoring the urgency for action under SDG 13 and 14.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bbc.com