The carbon footprint of tourism businesses in Pavlodar region (Kazakhstan): Baseline assessment and decarbonization hot spots

The study presents the first detailed carbon footprint assessment of tourism businesses in Kazakhstan’s Pavlodar region, aiming to establish a baseline and identify decarbonization pathways that align with the country’s 2060 carbon neutrality target. Using the GHG Protocol methodology, we calculated the footprint for two tourism properties in the Bayanaul district: a year-round holiday home and a seasonal summer hotel. Two pilot sites were selected to be representative of the region’s tourism businesses, exhibiting distinct operational and energy consumption patterns. The analysis revealed distinct emission profiles and significant contributions from indirect sources. The year-round facility, reliant on coal for heating, generated a total of 529 tCO2-eq. in З, whereas the seasonal hotel produced 185 tCO2-eq. A critical finding for both businesses was the dominance of Scope 3 emissions, which accounted for 57% to 62% of their total footprints, primarily driven by tourist transportation, waste generation, and food procurement. Scope 1 emissions from on-site fuel combustion were significant only for the year-round property, while Scope 2 emissions from purchased electricity were a key factor for both. Based on these findings and guided by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and Kazakhstan’s national strategies, such as the Concept for Transition to Green Economy and the Strategy for Achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2060, we propose a decarbonization roadmap. The targets include an absolute emissions reduction of 15% by 2030, 25% by 2040, and 50% by 2050. Key recommendations include phasing out coal by 2050, transitioning to low-carbon electricity by 2035, and implementing strategies to mitigate value chain emissions, including those associated with transportation, nutrition, and waste. This research provides a replicable framework for tourism operators in Kazakhstan and similar regions to measure and manage their environmental impact, contributing to a more sustainable tourism sector.