Pratishtha Parajuli, Education Coordinator at SUNx Malta, reflects on the first edition of the Climate Friendly Travel Summer School

SUNx Malta hosted its first, week- long online Climate Friendly Travel (CFT) Summer School between 27 September and 01 October 2021. Over the five- day period, we were delighted to have participation of over 400 climate enthusiasts from around the world, with diverse professional backgrounds: students, youth, tourism professionals, sustainable consultants, hoteliers, environmentalists, lecturers, conservationists amongst others. 

Goals of the CFT Summer School

The three main goals for the CFT Summer School were:

- To advance our concept of “Climate Friendly Travel” – Low carbon: SDG linked: Paris 1.5 aligned for companies, communities and citizens encouraging an immediate change for resilient Travel & Tourism. 

- To engage with young people around the world to help fulfil their destiny - with hope and ambition - as tomorrow’s leaders for a better future. 

- To create 100, 000 Strong Climate Champions around the globe by 2030.  

Participant’s active engagement during the sessions, painted for us a clear picture that none of us are isolated from the negative impact of the existential climate crisis on Travel and Tourism. But with the right actions, starting now there is a cause for hope in responding to the crisis. 

Travel & Tourism Transformation

Over the five -day period, participants got a flavour of our "decade strategy" to help deliver on Climate Friendly Travel. The links between Climate Friendly Travel and the Sustainable Development Goals were explored –the “Green” pillar of the 2030 stage on the UN “Road Map” for a better future. The sessions delved deeper on Goal 13, Climate Action, with presentation from industry thought leaders -  it was affirmed that the Climate Crisis is an existential threat. 

At the same time, participants were also introduced to strategies as how the Travel & Tourism sub sectors like transport, hospitality, travel services and destinations can and in several cases, already been responding to the climate challenge. Furthermore, attendees were acquainted with SUNx Malta’s SDG support network such as Risk Layer, Hotel Resilient and Tomorrow’s Air. They were informed as how these organizations can assist companies and communities (registered through the SUNx Malta’s, UNFCCC linked Climate Friendly Travel Registry) to build resilience as they transform to the new Climate Realities. The significance of SUNx Malta’s initiative of DASH to Zero - Declare: Act: Support: Hope – with an emphasis on urgent action this decade, was also discussed. 

The CFT Summer School also highlighted ways and means for effective Climate Communication, presented by an industry expert and two of our Climate Friendly Travel (CFT) Diploma students,

The programme ended with an invitation to attendees to join our Strong Climate Champion’s network to help Travel & Tourism companies and communities build resilience now and shift over time to be Zero GHG by 2050. They were also offered an opportunity to participate in our two-year Climate Friendly Travel Diploma commencing in February 2022.