Net zero Tourism in Small Island States: Policy and Implementation

Abstract

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face a distinctive paradox: their economies depend heavily on international tourism, yet the carbon emissions generated by long-haul travel to these destinations undermine the very ecosystems—coral reefs, coastal zones, marine biodiversity—upon which tourism depends. This study examines net-zero tourism policy frameworks across five SIDS—the Maldives, Fiji, Jamaica, Seychelles, and Barbados—analysing the gap between stated policy ambitions and actual implementation progress. A comparative policy analysis was combined with semi-structured interviews with 35 stakeholders representing government agencies, hotel operators, airline representatives, community groups, and non-governmental organisations. Findings reveal that while all five nations have articulated net-zero or carbon-neutral tourism targets, implementation remains constrained by inadequate funding mechanisms, limited renewable energy infrastructure, dependence on long-haul aviation that defies easy decarbonisation, and weak coordination among stakeholders with divergent interests. The Maldives and Seychelles have progressed furthest, benefiting from concentrated political will and international donor support, while Jamaica and Barbados face greater challenges from larger and more fragmented tourism sectors. The study identifies four policy levers with the greatest potential to accelerate net-zero tourism transitions in island contexts.