Abstract: Global climate change and the issues of natural resource and environment have a great impact on the sustainable development of human beings, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving energy has become imperative duties for safeguarding the global socio-economic and environmental sustainability. Scientific analysis on carbon emissions in tourism for tourism destination could contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving energy and the sustainable development of tourism and its related industries. Research progress on carbon emissions in tourism was reviewed in detail based on the databases of Elsevier Science Direct and CNKI. Firstly, the research course of carbon emissions in tourism was summarized and the course of this research were divided into two phases, i.e., the phase of initial exploration and the stage of rapid development. The research methods were analyzed comprehensively which include Top-down Approach and Bottom-up Approach, Life cycle assessment method, field investigation, Questionnaire method, Scenario analysis. Secondly, the major research contexts were reviewed from five aspects, which included measuring carbon emissions for regional tourism and tourism sectors, carbon footprint for tourism, the impacts of carbon emissions on tourism, and the measures for coping with carbon emissions in tourism. Finally, the research perspectives on carbon emissions in tourism in China were put forward in building the theory research, improving the research methods, and deepening the research content.

Key words: carbon emissions, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving energy, research progress, tourism industry