Assessing carbon emissions from hotel services in Unawatuna Tourism Area, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Tourism accounts for 9% of global carbon emissions, necessitating an examination of its environmental impact and the key subsectors driving emissions. This study focuses on Unawatuna in Sri Lanka's Galle district, a popular tourist destination with the highest number of tourist arrivals, hotels, and services in the South Coast region. The objective of the study was to identify carbon dioxide emission drivers and assess the CO2 emissions from hotels and other related services. Data were collected through structured questionnaires using a stratified random sampling method from 56 hotels and related establishments (50% of the total registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority). The study was carried out from December to April 2023. Key CO2 emission drivers included energy consumption, fuel consumption for cooking-related practices, transportation, power generators, operational logistics, and waste management. Electricity, primarily supplied by the national grid, is a significant contributor, with only 23.21% of establishments using renewable energy. Five-star hotels and boutique villas demonstrate the highest electricity and LP gas consumption due to luxury offerings, while power generator usage, mainly during outages, adds to emissions. Diesel and petrol are extensively used for transportation and backup power, with five-star hotels and restaurants showing the highest fuel consumption. Laundry services, provided by 76.79% of establishments, further amplify emissions, especially in luxury hotels. These findings underscore the energy-intensive nature of tourism operations and their substantial carbon footprint.