The one thing I'd change is... by Graham Miller, Professor of Sustainable Business at Nova School of Business and Economics, Portugal
- Richard Hammond
- Jun 19, 2025
- 2 min read
Should we create a levy on tourist arrivals to fund climate action?
Graham Miller, Professor of Sustainable Business at Nova School of Business and Economics, Portugal, thinks we should. He says the funds could be used to contribute towards decarbonisation and invest in nature-based solutions, which he says "will also strengthen the core tourism product, help people connect more with nature, which is going to be so important for the really significant changes we're going have to make to our lives in the future."
I asked Graham to answer in less than 60 seconds, "What's the one thing you'd change in travel, given the climate and nature emergencies?". Here is his reply:
"What would I change? Well, I had thought change would come from people caring about the world, reflecting that in their consumption choices.
"Then I'd hope for legislative change. But it looks now like that's been put in the slow lane and will only apply to the largest companies.
"I sort of flickered with hope when I listened to CEOs stand on stage at global summits and speak about their commitment to sustainability. But those same leaders have gone silent now.
"So I think we need a 10 dollar charge per tourist arrival to create a meaningful climate fund that could be used to contribute towards decarbonisation.
"And if this was invested in nature-based solutions, this should also strengthen the core tourism product, help people connect more with nature, which is going be so important for the really significant changes we're going have to make to our lives in the future."
🙏 Graham
This post is part of a series of interviews I'm filming with people across the travel and tourism industry, where I ask them to answer in less than 60 seconds, "What's the one thing you'd change in travel, given the climate and nature emergencies?"
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