In 2015, in the context of the Paris Agreement, we committed to focus on the existential Climate Crisis and launched SUN – the Strong Universal Network as a program to engage the vitally important Travel & Tourism Sector.
Later we added the “x” to underscore the eXistential dimension of the Climate Crisis.
In 2019, we entered into a long term Agreement with the Ministry of Tourism of Malta and Malta Tourism Authority to establish SUNx Malta as a World Centre for Climate Friendly Travel – SDG and Paris 1.5 linked.
FOUNDER President SUNx Malta. Played a key role in the emergence of Tourism as a serious socio-economic sector. As Executive Director at IATA in the 1970’s helped drive a new liberalization agenda, responding to airline deregulation. As first President of WTTC through the 1990’s, he worked to pioneer new systems of measuring the sector, creating CSR Certification & supporting China’s efforts to open Tourism markets.
As Assistant Secretary General of UNWTO, he spearheaded new development support systems, including the ST-EP Program, led the Davos Climate Summit & G20 Summit recognition program. As Co-founder of SUNx Strong Universal Network – a legacy project of Maurice Strong. partnered with Govt. of Malta, to support Climate Resilience, related SDG’s & Emergency Response with Climate Friendly Travel ~ Measured: Green: 2050 proof.
Served on public/private sector Boards around the world: Tourism Envoy to UNDP Administrator; Member EU Commissions on Airline Liberalization & on Tourism Employment. Written / lectured widely on tourism strategy, sustainability & liberalization; co-author/ editor of 2 books & various journal articles on Green Growth & Travelism, as visiting Prof. Victoria U. Australia. Co-author two major EIU studies on airline liberalization.
Maurice Strong played a unique and critical role in globalizing the environmental movement. He led the historic United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1972. This was the first international conference on environmental issues, and it resulted in the founding of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). He was elected by the UN General Assembly to become UNEP’s first Executive Director at its
headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, a role he held until 1975. In 1992, he led another landmark meeting: the UN Conference on Environment and Development – also known as the Earth Summit – it was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The conference addressed climate change and underscored the right to sustainable development, among other topics.
Mr. Strong’s other notable appointments included:
Under-Secretary-General and Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General, Senior Advisor to the President of the World Bank, Senior Advisor to the Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio +20), Foundation Board member of the World Economic Forum, and member of the Brundtland Commission. He also had an expansive career in the private sector, where he led some of Canada’s most prestigious energy companies.
STOCKTAKE REPORT
The TPCC identifies indicators with reliable and open data sources to track important aspects of the relationship between climate change and tourism, including progress on sector commitments in support of Paris Climate Agreement goals. TPCC will publish an update of these metrics every 3 years.
SCIENCE ASSESSMENT
The TPCC will undertake the first comprehensive synthesis in over 15 years, of the current state of tourism relevant knowledge about climate change emission trends, impacts, future risks, plus options for mitigation and adaptation. This assessment will include an open and transparent review process.
HORIZON PAPERS
The TPCC will identify strategic knowledge gaps to meet the sector’s Paris Climate Agreement obligations and commission expert reviews or new analysis to support related policy and decision-making. The papers will be stand-alone and reflect the interpretation of science by the authors.
