Planting for a “green” footprint

Climate change is one of the greatest contemporary challenges that the world is facing. It is not limited only to environmental challenges but also affects economy and the society. Due to its horizontal influence, and as one of the key factors in world economy, the travel industry has a significant role to play in strengthening the visibility and promoting the value of sustainability as a concept that ensures a long-term and balanced development.

Tourism is connected to numerous business aspects and considering that most economic activities contribute to the greenhouse gas emission, especially fossil fuel combustion, industrial production, transport, agriculture and activities linked to waste disposal and treatment, the role of tourism in building a model of sustainable development is extremely important.

Apart from its role in the development strategies, sustainability is an increasingly important aspect in recognising destination and tourism demand. According to the European Commission research, i.e., Eurobarometer 2021 data that are based on opinions of Europeans on travelling, most European Union citizens (82 percent) stated that they are willing to change at least some of their habits to make their travels more sustainable.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports initiated a project of additional afforestation to compensate for the emission created by tourists’ vehicles and we hope to make Croatia an innovative and sustainable tourist destination within the current year.
Based on the calculations of the Hrvoje Požar Energy Institute, the plan is to plant a million of additional trees per year, and 10 million new trees should be planted by 2030. The afforestation of the Forest Park Maksmir in March marked the symbolic beginning of the planting. The goal is to include local and regional communities in the action and encourage urban planting in order to leave a “green footprint” and make Croatia known not only for its abundant natural beauties, but also for the care and responsible treatment of resources.

This action is in compliance with the development plans of the European Union, i.e., the European Union Biodiversity Strategy 2030: Bringing nature back into our lives, that the European Commission adopted on 20 May 2020. It is one of the key initiatives of the European Green Deal, and it represents the complete, ambitious, long-term plan of protecting the nature and stopping the degradation of the ecosystem. It addresses five key causes of biodiversity loss: change of use of land and sea, overexploitation of resources, climate change, pollution and invasive species. One of the goals of the Biodiversity Strategy is to plant three billion new trees in the EU until 2030, with respect to all ecological principles.

Here you can find more detailed information on the Biodiversity Strategy 2030.

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