Climate Change and Tourism - UNEP - Division of Technology ...

Energy efficiency of tourist attractions
UNWTO, 9 July 2008
Mitigation Policies and Measures
Most of the energy-saving measures outlined for accommodation businesses apply equally for other
tourism businesses that operate buildings. Theme parks or large entertainment centres are a good
example. Most tourist attractions and activity operators operate at least an office building, in which
energy conservation and efficiency measures are relevant.
Some tourist activities require special infrastructure in addition to buildings. Energy demand is often
high. A good example is the ski industry, which not only relies on energy for lift operations and trail
preparation, but also increasingly for snow-making systems and on-mountain entertainment.
Box 33 Mitigation initiatives in the North American ski industry
As part of the ‘Keep Winter Cool’ program established by the National Ski Areas Association
(NSAA), ski areas in the United States have undertaken a wide range of energy efficiency and
renewable energy initiatives to reduce the GHG emissions related to their operations and serve as
a model for other tourism sectors.
At the operator level, the Aspen Ski Company (ASC) (Colorado, USA) is an acknowledged
international leader in greenhouse gas emission reductions and was the first resort operator to
join the Chicago Climate Exchange (in 2001) and thereby legally committing itself to annual
accounting of GHG emissions and a 10% emission reduction by 2010 (based on a 1999 baseline
year). To accomplish this objective ASC has undertaken multiple initiatives, including: building the
largest solar photovoltaic array in the ski industry, constructing an onsite micro-hydroelectric plant
(generating 250,000 kWh annually), converting all of its snow-grooming machines to biodiesel,
building two of the earliest buildings certified by the US Green Building Council’s ‘Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design’ Program, and most recently purchasing 100% of its electricity
use from wind power generators.
More broadly, the NSAA launched its ‘Green Power Program’ in 2006 to promote investment in
renewable power by the ski industry. A total of 58 ski resorts now purchase renewable energy
(primarily wind) for all or part of their operational energy use. Impressively, 28 of these resorts
purchase 100% of their energy needs from renewable sources (through renewable energy credits
where local grid sources are not available). The NSAA estimates that these 28 ski resorts purchased
292 million kWh of green energy in 2006-2007, avoiding over 193,000 tonnes of CO 2 emissions.
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Another example is golf tourism. Modern golf courses use energy in a wide range of facilities: in the
clubhouse (offices, meeting rooms, bar, restaurant, kitchens, locker rooms, pro shop) and on the golf
course (use of green-keeping machinery, pumping irrigation water, operation of maintenance facilities).
The world rules and development body and organizer of ‘The Open Championship’, 712 has developed
a four-point plan to energy conservation:
1. Decide who will be responsible: note examples of energy wastage, read meters and check fuel
bills, encourage others to use energy more efficiently, regularly report findings back to senior
management.
2. Establish the facts: any signs of exceptional consumption, how costs are changing over the years,
seasonal patterns to energy consumption.
3. Compare your performance: make some comparisons internally and with other, similar golf clubs,
and between years, set priorities and targets for improvement.
Use less energy:
4. the goal is to eliminate waste, including boiler rooms, offices, function rooms,
kitchen, cellar, maintenance facility, and irrigation pump house.
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