Climate Change and Tourism in Switzerland: Impacts, Vulnerability and Possible Adaptation Measures

1. Climate Change and Tourism in Switzerland: Impacts, Vulnerability and Possible Adaptation Measures Cecilia Matasci PhD student EPFL ENAC INTER REME CH-1015 Lausanne Tel: +41 79 283 95 48 E-mail : cecilia.matasci@epfl.ch

2. contents • Introduction – climate change and tourism • Impacts • Vulnerability • Possible adaptation measures • Conclusions Cecilia Matasci - 20 November 2009

3. introduction Tourism and climate change intertwined Cecilia Matasci - 20 November 2009 Perch-Nielsen (2008)

4. introduction SWITZERLAND -1/11 people directly or indirectly working for tourism (1/3 in mountain areas) (Dayer, 1998) - 5.2% of national GDP (Bfs, 2005) - 30.4 billions CHF2005 : 61% inner tourism 39% foreign tourism (5.3 % income from export → 4th place) (BfS, 2008) - Indirect benefits: commerce, transports, banks, insurances, etc. Cecilia Matasci - 20 November 2009

5. introduction Costs and damages of climate change in 2030, 2050, 2070 and 2100 for the principal domains Tourism Buildings Energy Human and infrastructure health Cecilia Matasci - 20 November 2009 Ecoplan/Sigmaplan (2007)

6. +3°C 2050 Impacts Seven Categories of Impacts considered 1. Changes in climate suitability 2. Snow pack reduction 3. Glaciers melting 4. Permafrost melting – Rock Falls Cecilia Matasci - 20 November 2009 CATEGORIES OF IMPACT CONSIDERED Beniston (2003) OcCC/Proclim (2007) Perch-Nielsen (2007) Maisch in Beniston (2004) 5. Natural hazards 6. Water scarcity - Drought 7. Landscape changes – Scenic beauty Ecoplan/Sigmaplan (2007) Glacier de la Tschierva, Engadine Slide from Beniston (2004) www.dessertcomesfirst.com www.news.bbc.co.uk Badler and Kunz (2000)

7. VULNERABILITY Definining vulnerability ‘Vulnerability is the degree to which a system is susceptible to, and unable to cope with, adverse effects of climate change, including climate variability and extremes. Vulnerability is a function of the character, magnitude,and rate of climate change and variation to which a system is exposed, its sensitivity, and its adaptive capacity.’ [IPCC, 2007] Cecilia Matasci - 20 November 2009 Exposure Sensitivity Adaptive capacity Potential impact Vulnerability Preston (2008)

8. objectives Develop a tool for stimulating discussion about climate change vulnerability and adaptation within Switzerland and the tourism sector • Examine spatial heterogeneity in vulnerability • Examine differential vulnerability to different climate impacts • Identify diversity of drivers that may contribute to vulnerability • Determine similitude between regions → promote collaboration and exchange of information Cecilia Matasci - 20 November 2009

9. method Cecilia Matasci - 20 November 2009

10. method Cecilia Matasci - 20 November 2009

11. Possible adaptation measures Cecilia Matasci - 20 November 2009

12. conclusions • Tourism : one of the most affected domains of CH economy • Various impacts, both on offer and supply • Regions differentially exposed and vulnerable • Vulnerability hotspots → importance to adapt • Various types of adaptation measures possible Cecilia Matasci - 20 November 2009

13. Thank you for your attention! Cecilia Matasci - 20 November 2009

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