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

Figure 12.5 Solar panels on Nukubati Island
UNWTO, 9 July 2008
Photo credit: Nukubati Island 721
12.2.2 Integrated Emission Management
Mitigation Policies and Measures
Integrated emission management in a tourism establishment goes beyond the use of technology to
reduce energy use and includes a wide range of measures:
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the implementation of environmental management systems that include management, technology,
and behavioural changes;
eco-labelling or certification;
supply chain management and strategic partnerships with other, carbon-efficient operations.
Box 35 Scottish Seabird Centre
The Scottish Seabird Centre is a community inspired project that opened to the public in 2000. 722
It has achieved the ‘Gold Level’ in the Green Business Tourism Scheme (GBTS). Since opening, the
centre has grown to be a world leader in the real-time remote observation of wildlife in its natural
habitat without disturbance. The centre was designed and built on strong ecological principles.
Materials were locally sourced where possible and environmentally friendly products used in its
construction and furbishment.
Examples of specific initiatives include:
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recycling waste (for example bottles, cooking oil, paper);
food and drink for the café are sourced from local producers and suppliers;
using solar systems to power the Bass Rock and Isle of May cameras;
encouraging use of public transport to the centre through the provision of joint travel and
admission package with ScotRail.
An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a comprehensive and formal organizational approach
designed to achieve environmental care in all aspects of operations. It typically involves the development
of an environmental policy for the tourism business, monitoring of impacts (such as emissions),
environmental reporting (e.g., in the form of ‘triple bottom line’ reporting) and certification. Only very
few tourism businesses have specific climate change policies (as part of their EMS). The Aspen Skiing
Company (see also Box 33) developed a policy in 2001 to (1) acknowledge that climate change is of
serious concern to the ski industry and to the environment; and (2) that a proactive approach is the
most sensible method of addressing climate change. More importantly, the Aspen Skiing Company
established a climate change action plan, committing to the following:
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