Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association condemns Edinburgh Council’s radical clamp-down on fossil-fuel advertising

The Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA) has announced its strong opposition to a highly controversial Edinburgh Council decision that bans the advertising of high carbon products on council infrastructure.

The ban, aimed at reducing carbon emissions, includes advertising restrictions on all cars except electric vehicles that are not SUVs, airlines and airports, cruise holidays, and any company involved in fossil fuels, such as petrol stations.

The SPAA is opposing this move, citing significant concerns about its impact on its members and the travelling public as well as on the Scottish and Edinburgh economies.

Jac Dobson, president of the SPAA says, “The importance of outbound and inbound tourism to both the Scottish and Edinburgh economies cannot be overstated. Outbound travel alone contributes £37.1 billion in gross value added to the economy annually – including direct contribution of £15.9 billion.  The sector sustains over 220,000 jobs.

“We acknowledge the need for strong climate policies, but this measure fails to consider the advances the travel industry is making towards a greener future. The aviation industry, for instance, is investing heavily in sustainable aviation fuels and more efficient aircraft. Airlines such as British Airways have committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and new technologies are continually being developed to make air travel more sustainable. The Council should consider the strides all Scottish airport are making with decarbonising the energy used in airports, reducing their carbon footprint with solar panels and making their ground operations greener too with further decarbonisation measures.

“The cruise industry is making equally significant steps towards a greener future with the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG), advanced wastewater treatment systems, efficient ship design and shore power connections.

“Tourism is a lifeline for many businesses, supporting thousands of jobs and generating substantial revenue. Our own SPAA survey showed that almost 20% of holidaying Scots spend between £300 and £700 in the local economy before they even set foot on a plane. The blanket ban on advertising key components of the travel industry threatens to undermine these economic benefits.

“Our travel agency members are part of the lifeblood of the high street and are already facing massive challenges due to the lack of investment in town centres and the competitive disadvantage they are at paying significantly higher business rates than their English counterparts. Why is our industry being targeted? What about other sectors like fast fashion? According to a House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee report textile production contributes more to climate change than international aviation and shipping combined and it’s estimated that three out of every five new garments end up in landfill within a year. Where is the advertising ban on fast fashion for example?”

The SPAA is championing greener travel solutions and investment in sustainable aviation fuels to ensure the future sustainability of the industry. As part of the Aviation Cross Party Group, the organisation supports the position that Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) can and should be produced in Scotland – and should play a major role in the transition from carbon intensive oil and gas. In the group’s ‘The Recovery of Sustainable Aviation, Travel & Tourism in Scotland’ report, they urge Government support for sites such as Grangemouth and St Fergus which could de-risk this form of investment.

 The SPAA also believes that Scotland is well placed as a test bed for the development of hydrogen and electric flight and research should be accelerated.

“Effective climate policy should support and accelerate these positive trends, not stifle the industry’s ability to communicate with consumers about their greener options,” adds Jac Dobson. “We urge Edinburgh Council to reconsider this ban and work collaboratively with the travel and tourism sector to find solutions that protect our environment without jeopardising economic stability.”

The SPAA remains committed to promoting sustainable travel and working with stakeholders to achieve a balanced approach to environmental stewardship and economic growth.

The Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA) represents the interests of travel agents and the broader travel industry in Scotland. Established in 1921, the SPAA advocates for its members and works towards a sustainable and prosperous future for the travel sector.