By Gofaone Motsamai and Phenyo Mokgothu
When aircraft take off from South Africa’s major airports, they do more than connect people with destinations, they also leave behind a growing environmental footprint. The complex relationship between aviation, tourism and climate change is the focus of a recent book chapter by Kgomotso Mereotlhe, a lecturer at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus in the School of Tourism Management.
Kgomotso’s contribution, titled “Problems associated with aviation carbon emissions and carbon footprint of tourism in South Africa: Policy, regulations and governance issues”, appears in the book published in 2024 titled: Tourism Policy-Making in the Context of Contested Wicked Problems edited by Prof Christof Pforr, Prof Markus Pillmayer, Prof Marion Joppe, Prof Nicolai Scherle, and Prof Harald Pechlaner. Her chapter explores how the aviation industry, while essential for economic growth and tourism, contributes significantly to environmental challenges.
The two sides of the aviation industry
In her analysis, Kgomotso writes that “the aviation industry plays a vital role in supporting tourism and international businesses by providing the fastest transportation network in the world and also boosting economic growth and creating employment”. However, she cautions that this progress “harms the environment, mainly through air pollution due to aircraft engines emitting heat and gases that contribute to global warming, acid rain, smog and ozone depletion”.
She further observes that air travel has increased considerably over the years, and therefore aircraft emissions have contributed to the build-up of greenhouse gases, with the resultant changes in weather patterns leading to global warming and environmental deterioration.
The chapter characterises aviation as “a double-edged sword because it is thought to be the most challenging industry for formulating sustainable policies, based on the direct conflict between environmental impacts and economic development”.
Kgomotso identifies several major issues in the South African context, including degradation of air quality, deterioration of human health, growth in air travel, high emissions intensity, limited alternatives and the negative impact of climate change. She points out that South Africa is the top emitting nation of carbon dioxide in sub-Saharan Africa, with emissions almost doubling from 247,660 kilotons (kt) in 1990 to 433,250 kt in 2018. This is more than three times higher than that of Nigeria, whose emissions increased from 42,441 to 130,670 kt during the same period.
Carbon-reduction approaches
The chapter reviews existing frameworks such as the National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Regulations (2016, amended 2020), the Carbon Tax Act 15 of 2019, the White Paper on National Climate Change Response Policy (2011), and the Green Transport Strategy (2018–2050). “It is obvious that the South African government has started implementing policies, regulations and governance approaches to reduce carbon emissions,” Kgomotso says.
She also notes a carbon-offsetting project led by the South African Tourism Services Association (SATSA) and South African Tourism. This saw 600 Spekboom cuttings being distributed by SATSA and SA Tourism to raise awareness about reducing the tourism sector’s carbon footprint.
Kgomotso emphasises that “finding a balance between environmental sustainability and economic development continues to be a major policy concern”, and advises that all existing policies, rules, plans and initiatives be continually reviewed to guarantee that the desired low-carbon nation is attained.
Kgomotso Mereotlhe is a lecturer in the School of Tourism Management.
