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

164 Climate Change and Tourism – Responding to Global Challenges
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use of green development principles in new Aspen Skiing Company developments;
energy efficiency in old buildings through economically viable retrofits;
continued support of mass transportation and local employee housing;
annual accounting of greenhouse gas emissions;
a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2010 based on a 1999 baseline.
As part of wider environmental management, many (typically larger) tourism establishments now use
the ISO14001 environmental management standard. The management standard helps to understand,
monitor and reduce environmental impacts. Green Globe 21 is an environmental management standard
developed specifically for the travel and tourism industry, but it has not managed to reach the market
(see Table 12.3 below).
There are also a substantial number of ecolabels, codes of conduct, sustainability reporting schemes,
awards, and benchmarking programs in the tourism industry. Font (2002) identified over 100 ecolabels
for tourism, hospitality and ecotourism worldwide, while in a more general study, the World Tourism
Organization (2002) identified 104 ecolabels, awards and self-commitments. Certifications can aid
consumers in sustainable decision-making, and have important roles in marketing. Currently, there are
over 60 programs worldwide setting standards and verifying them, with an average of about 50 certified
tourism firms per program. 723 A general problem with certifications is that they are based on a wide
range of criteria, with only some of these addressing energy use or emissions. Another general issue
is the relatively low take-up and recognition of these schemes among the consumers. 724 With regard
to climate change mitigation, there is thus considerable potential to improve ecolabels for tourism. As
an example, Table 12.3 provides an overview of certifications in Sweden with regard to the area of
application, the criteria used and the number of businesses in each programme.
While certifications can contribute to the marketing of destinations and travel products, it is interesting
to note that most of the certifications found in Sweden are focusing on quality, rather than environmental
issues more generally. Energy use in particular is only part of few certifications, with on-site energy use
being the focus of assessments.
Table 12.3 Tourism certifications in Sweden, 2005
Country/
region
Sweden Bo på Lantgård
(Stay on a Farm)
UNWTO, 9 July 2008
Certification Area of application Criteria
Sweden Godkänd Gård för Hästturism
(Certified Horse Farm)
Southeastern
Sweden
Det Naturliga Fisket
(Natural Fishing)
Sweden Naturlig Laddning
(Natural Charge)
Sweden Naturens bästa
(Nature’s Best)
Quality
Environment
Energy use
(at destination)
No. of businesses
in the programme
Farm accommodation x (x) 428
Horse farms x (x) 40
Fishing arrangements/
accommodation
x (x) 35
Nature-based activities x x 12
Ecotourism operations x x x 220 (a)