Client Name
4VI
Industry
Destination Tourism
Location
Vancouver Island
Client Size
Medium
Website
Services Offered
- Destination Level Carbon Accounting
- Climate Action Plan Guidance
Challenge
4VI (formerly Tourism Vancouver Island) is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to ensuring that travel remains a force for good on Vancouver Island. The organization’s name reflects its four key social commitments—community, business, culture, and the environment. To align with these commitments, 4VI sought to understand the environmental impact of tourism on Vancouver Island and develop actionable strategies for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
With over ten million visitors annually, Vancouver Island’s tourism industry contributes significantly to the local economy—but also to carbon emissions. To drive meaningful climate action, 4VI needed to:
- Measure and establish a baseline for tourism-related emissions.
- Set realistic reduction targets and track progress.
- Develop a region-wide Climate Action Plan to guide stakeholders toward sustainability.
To support these goals, 4VI partnered with Synergy Enterprises to conduct the region’s first comprehensive Carbon Audit and develop a strategic Climate Action Plan.
Synergy’s Solution
To ensure accurate measurement and actionable insights, Synergy selected 2019 as the baseline year, representing a pre-pandemic tourism period. This approach enabled 4VI to set realistic benchmarks and track future progress.
Through extensive data collection and analysis, Synergy’s assessment revealed that tourism activities on Vancouver Island contributed approximately two million tonnes of CO₂e in 2019. The findings provided 4VI with essential metrics to shape its climate strategy.
Climate Action Plan Development:
- Synergy facilitated stakeholder engagement sessions to align industry priorities with climate action.
- The Climate Action Plan set clear goals for 2023-2030, focusing on five key areas aligned with the Glasgow Declaration.
- Each goal included 4-7 targeted actions, ensuring practical and measurable implementation.
- The plan was designed with flexibility to support regional collaboration and industry-wide adoption.
The Results
The Carbon Audit provided a first-of-its-kind analysis of the environmental impact of tourism in Vancouver Island. Key findings included:
- Transportation (international and domestic travel, vehicles, ferries, buses, RVs) accounted for nearly 50% of total emissions.
- The food and beverage sector contributed 32%.
- Accommodation, tours, and goods/services made up the remainder.
Using these insights, 4VI developed an industry-leading Climate Action Plan, positioning Vancouver Island as a leader in sustainable tourism. The plan serves as a blueprint for reducing tourism-related carbon emissions while supporting local businesses and enhancing the visitor experience.
Key Takeaways
- As a Glasgow Declaration signatory, 4VI took a leadership role in measuring and mitigating tourism-related carbon emissions, later winning the Canadian Tourism Award for Sustainable Tourism in 2023.
- The Carbon Audit was one of the largest regional tourism emissions assessments in North America, the first of its kind.
- Synergy’s expertise helped 4VI develop a structured, actionable Climate Action Plan with measurable targets and stakeholder collaboration.
- Vancouver Island is now on a path toward becoming a climate action and sustainable tourism leader.
