Decomposition and Decoupling Analysis of Carbon Emissions from EU Tourism Sector

Strategic Insights -

Research on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the tourism sector in the European Union (EU27) over the period 2008-2022 has yielded significant findings. The study used an integrated approach combining the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) and Tapio decoupling analysis to examine the evolution of CO2 emissions. The research introduced six tourism-specific indicators to decompose the drivers of CO2 emissions and assess their dynamic interaction with tourism growth. Empirical findings indicate that Carbon Intensity (CI) and Average Revenue per Tourist (ART) were the primary contributors to emissions reductions, while emissions were increasingly influenced by spatial concentration and infrastructure growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • Carbon Intensity (CI) and Average Revenue per Tourist (ART) were the primary contributors to emissions reductions, accounting for -6.5 Mt and -3.9 Mt respectively.
  • Emissions were increasingly influenced by spatial concentration and infrastructure growth, captured by Number of Hospitality Structures (NHS) and Tourism Spread Ratio (TSR).
  • Heterogeneous decoupling trajectories were observed among member states in the period 2008-2022, with strong decoupling in France, Portugal, and Sweden.
  • The study contributes to the energy-tourism policy interface by offering a replicable framework for monitoring decarbonization progress in tourism-intensive economies.
  • The research revealed a recessive decoupling index of 1.052 for the EU in the period 2008-2022.
  • The study emphasizes the need for integrated mitigation strategies combining technological innovation, spatial planning, and sustainable infrastructure development.

Statistics:

  • CO2 emissions from the tourism sector in the EU27 decreased by -6.5 Mt and -3.9 Mt respectively due to reductions in CI and ART.
  • Spatial concentration and infrastructure growth accounted for an increase of 3.9 Mt and 1.6 Mt in CO2 emissions.
  • The recessive decoupling index for the EU in the period 2008-2022 was 1.052.
  • Strong decoupling was observed in countries such as France, Portugal, and Sweden.

Sources:

  • Decomposition and decoupling analysis of carbon emissions of the EU tourism sector. Science of The Total Environment, 2025;994:180075.
  • Universita degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Via Roma 29, 81031 Aversa, CE, Italy.
  • Furio Cascetta, Oana M. Driha, Sergio Nardini, and Vincenzo Bianco.
  • Elsevier, Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands.