Carbon Reduction
Activities & Projects
Prepared by Dick Sisman & Associates
March 2007
Contents
Page
1.0
Introduction
1
2.0
Summary of Existing TF Position
1
3.0
Activities
1
3.1
Two-Stroke Engines
2
3.1.1
Tuk-Tuks
2
3.1.2
Jet Skis
3
3.2
Swimming Pools
3
3.3
Snow Machines
4
3.4
Cable Cars
4
4.0
Alternative Fuels
5
5.0
Potential Projects for Tourism Destinations
5
5.1
Types of Projects
6
5.2
Project Examples
6
5.2.1
The Gambia
8
5.2.2
Kenya
9
5.2.3
Egypt
9
5.2.4
Costa Rica
10
5.2.5
Ukraine
11
6.0
Conclusion
12
References
13
Bibliography
14
THE TRAVEL FOUNDATION ROLE IN CARBON REDUCTION AND OFFSET
ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS
Travel Foundation Brief:
"A list of potential projects that could be implemented at suitable destinations, with
indications of the reductions in carbon dioxide emissions that could be achieved"
1.0
Introduction
This report starts with a review of tourism activities which have a CO2 impact, it then
summarises a range of project activities and project examples and concludes with five
specific projects in formation of a type in which the Travel Foundation (TF) could choose
to engage.
The key for the TF is to recognize that opportunities to develop projects linked to carbon
emission reductions and offsets can emanate in a number of different ways. These
include a call for tenders; developing a new “activity” for all projects and in entering
partnership arrangements with organisations that share similar interests.
2.0
Summary of Existing TF Position
The Travel Foundation has not yet developed any projects or programmes where carbon
offset is spelt out as a specific or measurable objective. It has however established and
supported a number of projects and activities which do make a contribution to CO2
reduction including:
•
•
•
A pilot project to replace existing light fittings with low energy ones in hotels in
the Caribbean.
Support for local farming enterprises in Tobago and the Gambia which have an
element of saving in energy transport costs.
Trees for food project in Sri Lanka which will encourage tree planting.
There is no reason why the TF should not seek to evaluate the CO2 reductions within its
existing portfolio and either ‘retire’ these in a measured way or to offer the equivalent
offset value to those operators allocating project funds.
The following ideas in this report are primarily for internal consideration by the TF and
suggest ways in which the TF might wish to incorporate CO2 reduction targets within
wider project activities and/or to establish or take part in specific projects where CO2
reduction or carbon offset is a primary objective in its own right. It should be noted that
this report simply fulfills the Consultant’s brief to enable the TF to decide how to
progress any work within the climate change debate. It premises that the TF will want to
play both a policy and projects role and that it will incorporate CO2 reduction targets into
new initiatives wherever possible. This is of course a matter for the TF to determine.
3.0
Activities
1
The consumption of energy by tourists varies greatly depending on the nature of the
holiday and thus the ’footprint’ of an individual holiday will reflect the activities
undertaken.
A range of energy consumption is illustrated in Table 1. This refers specifically to New
Zealand, and the energy was expressed in MJ in the original paper. For illustrative
purposes this has been converted to CO2, based on the conversion factor from UK
DEFRA for grid electricity (www.defra.gov.uk/environment/business/envrp/gas/05.htm)
Table 1 – Tourism Activities in New Zealand
Activity
Farm show
Museum
Zoo/Wildlife Parks
Experience centre
Rafting
Guided walks (including transport to
and form site)
Scenic boat cruise
Scenic flight
Diving
Energy consumed
per tourist (MJ)
7
10
16
29
36
110
CO2 equivalent
(kg)
0.8
1.2
1.9
3.5
4.3
13
165
340
800
20
41
96
Source: Becken, S. 2001. Energy Consumption of Tourist Attractions and Activities in New Zealand
For New Zealand this has been developed into a carbon calculator (Carbon Zero). The
conversion factors used will not apply to other destinations because of the high
renewable content of electricity in New Zealand.
3.1
Two-Stroke Engines
The majority of holiday activities involve some degree of technology. If one technology
exemplifies the need to overhaul air pollution laws – especially in the large cities in Asia
– it is the two-stroke engine. Two-stroke engines are cheap, light, and powerful, but they
mix lubricating oils with the combustion fuel, meaning that vast quantities of unburned
hydrocarbons are released into the environment. They may also be less efficient in
terms of fuel and CO2. For example, 1 hour driving a two-stroke four wheel drive
produces 60 pounds of CO2 compared to 1 hour driving a four-stroke four wheel drive
produces 36 pounds of CO2 (Alaska Conservation Solutions). A 2006 scooter with a
four-stroke engine was tested against a comparable 2005 two-stroke scooter. The fourstroke produced about half of the CO2 emitted by the two-stroke (Polluter Scooters).
An example project for converting two-stroke engines to four-stroke engines on skiffs
used for tours in the Danube delta is outlined in section 5.2.5.
3.1.1
Tuk-Tuks
The latest version of the world-famous Thai-made three-wheeled taxi offers energy
savings and causes less air pollution than older vehicles. The new model of this popular
form of motorised urban transport in Thailand is equipped with a low emissions four-
2
stroke engine designed to use economical and environmentally-friendly natural gas for
vehicles (NGV). The first batch of cheaper and more environmentally-friendly tuk-tuks
will hit the market next month under the state Tuk-Tuk Ua-Arthorn (affordable) project.
Under the scheme, which is a joint venture between the Energy Ministry and Monika
Motors Limited, the country's major manufacturer and distributor of tuk-tuks, 2,500 of the
vehicles will be produced and sold with low-interest loans.
Branded as an energy-saving and non-polluting vehicle, the new tuk-tuk will use a fourstroke 650cc engine with two cylinders, designed for natural gas instead of conventional
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which is more expensive.
Chumras Virojanapa, president of Monika Motors Limited, said tuk-tuk drivers will find
the new vehicles affordable. They will go for 170,000 baht each (Tuk Tuk from Thailand)
Unlike the older, noisier versions in Asia, which run on petrol, with a maximum speed of
35 miles (56 kilometers) per hour and low fuel consumption, the tuk-tuks will be among
the most fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly vehicles on the road (Toward a
Radical Transformation of the Automobile)
3.1.2
Jet Skis
A 1 hour trip on a two stroke jet ski produces120 pounds of CO2 compared to an hour
on a four stroke jet ski which produces 72 pounds of CO2 (Alaska Convention
Solutions).
Local Air Quality
Carbon dioxide is not the only atmospheric pollutant generated by the use of fossil fuels.
Eliminating two-stroke engines – or requiring them to meet the same standard as four-stroke
engines – would be a quick way to slash pollution in many cities (Annual Report Essay: Toward a
Radical Transformation of the Automobile). Two stroke engines are environmentally very
damaging because of their inherent combustion technology; their poor maintenance and misfiring,
particularly at cold start; and their frequent and excessive use of lubricants not manufactured for
use in two-stroke engine vehicles. In Delhi, India, 45% of particulate emissions in the transport
sector are estimated to come from two-and-three wheelers powered by two-stroke engines.
Despite this, no country has issued standards for PM (particulate matter) emissions for two-andthree wheelers largely because there is no proven methodology for measuring oil droplets
(Transport and the Urban Environment). In the comparison of two scooters mentioned in the text,
the two-stroke produced 7 times the amount of hydrocarbons in it exhaust compared to the four
stroke.
Jet skis, like snowmobiles and other all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s) are prodigious emitters of carbon
monoxide, particulate matter and smog-forming hydrocarbons. It is estimated that per hour of
use, the average Jet ski pollutes the air at around 60 times the rate of an average automobile.
In 1998, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) published the startling finding that a Jet ski
operating for just two hours produced the same exhaust emissions as a 1998 passenger car
operated for over 100,000 miles. Although use of jet skis is dwarfed by use of cars, Jet Ski
exhaust could be adding 10% to nationwide emissions from auto tailpipes, making it a genuine
environmental problem.
3
3.2
Swimming Pools
Table 2 – Swimming Pool Energy Consumption
Pump
situation
Original
Replacement
– downsizing
Reduced time
60%
Both of above
CO2 savings/
year (kg)
Energy
kWh/year
3000
1800
Energy
savings/ year
0
40%
520
1200
60%
770
720
75%
980
Source: www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=13290
The savings highlighted in Table 2 represent a typical pool in Florida. The average pool
pump energy bill is probably higher in Florida than in many other areas of the country
because of the long swimming season. While the absolute savings here will be greater
there than elsewhere, the percentage savings should apply elsewhere. Note that the
savings for the combination of measures are not simply the sum of savings for the
individual measures. When both are implemented, the energy use is 60% of 40% of the
original use-percent savings.
Table 2 does not include energy consumed in heating, which should also be included.
3.3
Snow Machines
Snow creation mainly starts during the water rich and low energy consumption months of
November and December. The energy consumption of man-made snow machines is not
as high as many people think. The average consumption of the machines is about 1000
KW over 600 hours, equivalent to the energy used by an indoor swimming pool,
equivalent to 0.42 kg CO2 per hour, where fuelled by diesel (Planai & Hochwurzen).
3.4
Cable Cars
Case Study – Squaw Valley USA (Squaw Valley USA)
In December 2000, Squaw Valley installed a new Silicon Controlled Rectifier or S.C.R.
control for the resort’s Cable Car to replace an older generator-driven drive system.
Since its installation, the new system has proven to be 96.85% more energy efficient,
with a reduction of the overall kilowatt-hours used by 91.48% and a cost savings of
almost 50% during the month of February 2001. The Silicon Control Rectifier (SCR)
motor that powers the Cable Car and lighting retrofit (fibre optic lighting) installed in the
Cable Car building have greatly increased electrical energy savings. The electrical
energy savings is measured by the amount of electricity used prior to installing the SCR
minus current consumption for 10 months of operations. This amounts to energy
savings of 363,600 kWh annually or some 150 tonnes of CO2. These savings are a
result of operational differences between the old generator-driven motor and the new
Silicon Controlled Rectifier (S.C.R.) drive. While the old system operated continuously
throughout the day, the advanced technology in the new S.C.R. drive allows the motor to
4
shut off in-between every Cable Car trip. This means that the system operates only a
fraction of every hour throughout the day, significantly cutting back electricity use.
“Squaw Valley is always looking for new ways to make the mountain more efficient,”
explains Nancy Wendt, President of Squaw Valley Ski Corp. “We are pleased because
the new system allows Squaw Valley to help conserve vital electrical resources while
cutting back on operational costs. It is a win-win situation for everyone.”
The new S.C.R. drive is only one of Squaw Valley USA’s many energy saving upgrades
and facilities installed by the resort’s Facilities Engineer, Dr. Hardy Herger. A native of
Switzerland, Herger’s main focus has been developing geothermal technology and he
has been integral in implementing energy efficient systems for Squaw Valley for over 30
years. Herger’s guiding principal is that geothermal is the only sensible solution for highefficiency heating and cooling and energy conservation. “Everyone needs to think
completely different about the way we choose to heat and cool our homes and buildings
because our resources are very limited,” explains Herger. “Geothermal technology
conserves resources, and for us, it costs about 40% less to operate than propane or
diesel.”
In a season at Aspen in Colorado, for example, about eight million kilowatt-hours are
used to uplift skiers for what ought, logically, to be called their “downdrop”. Electricity is
cheap in the US, nevertheless the Aspen Skiing Company pays an electricity bill of
about $600,000 (£370,000) a year to keep its lifts going. The overall electricity
consumption is roughly equivalent to 3000 tonnes of CO2 per year (The Independent
‘Winds of Change’).
One ski resort manager recognised problems with constant speed ski-lifts which were for
some skiers too fast and for some others too slow. After looking at several options the
resort chose an AC drive (132 kW) as a replacement drive for the ski lift. This led to
savings of about 26,400 kWh/year (13 tonnes of CO2) as well as other benefits such as
the soft start benefiting customers.
4.0
Alternative Fuels
There is growing interest in the use of renewable sources of fuels in particular for ground
transport. Ethanol is produced from biomass feedstocks such as sugarcane or maize
and is already widely used around the world with more than 4 million vehicles in Brazil
using it (SP Times – Ethanol: Is it The Answer?) In 2004, around 42 billion litres of
ethanol were produced in the world, most of it being for use in cars. Brazil produced
around 16.4 billion liters and used 2.7 million hectares of land area for this production
(Wikipedia – Ethanol Fuel) It is also in widespread use as a fuel ‘extender’. A 10%
ethanol blend is widely used in the USA and a 5% ethanol blend entered the UK market
in 2005.
Biodiesel can be produced from crops such as oilseed rape and from recycled vegetable
fish and animal oils.
Other possible energy sources for ground transport include hydrogen and fuel cells.
However implementation of any alternative depends on the provision of adequate
infrastructure and of vehicles that can use the fuel at a reasonable cost.
5
The simplest substitution and that with most short term benefit in terms of CO2 is the
substitution of diesel vehicles for their petrol equivalents. Alone, this would reduce CO2
emissions per vehicle by something like 30%.
5.0
Potential Projects for Tourism Destinations
One of the key outputs of this research is to advise the TF about the opportunities to
become involved in projects which will fit existing or new policies and at the same time
achieve carbon dioxide emissions.
The Travel Foundation is not primarily a carbon offset charity. It has a very broad remit
which covers all aspects of responsible tourism of which climate change is but one –
although currently it is leading the debate within the industry and in Government.
This review of project opportunities tries to work from a position of understanding of the
current climate change pressures and at the same time does not seek to draw the TF
into a position were its policies are dominated by the issue. To that end we seek to give
advice about projects which will achieve carbon reductions or offsets but at the same
time will give additional and wider RT benefits in the social; environmental and pro poor
fields.
We do not seek to offer direction to the TF in terms of its own policy position for carbon
offset and reduction. We recognize the external pressures of Government and industry
on the TF and its broad base of trustees. For example we do not propose to
recommend to the TF any particular offset programme or methodology (regulatory or
voluntary) or to suggest the level of priority of this issue to the TF.
Instead we concentrate upon the opportunities for the TF to engage in new areas of
project activity where carbon reduction or offset will be achieved.
5.1
Types of Projects
There is currently a fierce debate about the nature of the projects which should be
supported and about their respective benefits. The best example of this is in the area of
tree planting and reforestation. Many carbon projects and offset companies rely on tree
planting as a way of fixing carbon but WWWF, Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace
have issued a recent joint statement (Kirsty Clough 2006) which essentially excludes
reforestation from the projects that they support.
Thus, at this time, we only feel able to recommend that the TF consider an involvement
in offset projects which are technology based and not those seeking to absorb or
sequestrate carbon through afforestation or reforestation.
The main areas of technology are renewable energy; energy efficiency; gas recovery or
destruction; fuel switch or biological sinks. (The Carbon Trust 2006). Within these areas
of technology lie many opportunities for the TF to develop projects and programmes
which will achieve broader RT benefits.
5.2
Project Examples
6
In many economically disadvantaged countries there is, perhaps surprisingly, little
intermediate or alternative technology linked to energy production. There are two main
reasons for this. Firstly, and historically, many such countries were (and some still are)
pre industrialised. Local heat and light came from natural sources, mostly burning wood.
When and where industrialization has started this has often been funded by international
aid or loans from organisations like the World Bank. This has in the past usually meant
big capital programmes of which the energy component has usually been fossil fuel
based. Even in those countries where there is great potential for solar, wind or water
based energy production there are few examples of it being used.
Now that attention is switching to “sustainable energy” there is pressure to begin to
introduce alternative and renewable energy supplies. The main difficulty in this is that
there is almost a total lack of opportunity for this to happen at a local level. In many parts
of Africa for example there is no means of production of the necessary equipment; no
skill base to manufacture and no skill base to install or maintain. This usually results in
importing capital goods from countries like China or those in the EU and skilled jobs of
installing and maintaining are provided by contractors to the supply companies.
There is a real opportunity for the TF to engage in a project which would lead to local
manufacture, installation and maintenance of solar panels in tourism destinations which
would achieve significant carbon benefits and at the same time provide many good
quality jobs for the indigenous population. Hotels relying on oil based power are an
obvious target for new solar technology.
Such objectives could either be a part of wider responsible tourism partnerships or
separate projects using new budgets available through carbon offset mechanisms within
the industry.
In addition to alternative and renewable energy project examples like the one above
there is considerable scope for greater energy efficiency. For example on Thailand’s
Andaman coast there is a major new programme (Colin McQuistan, WWF Thailand)
which will help to improve the management of the local marine national parks. There are
literally dozens of boats taking divers out to sea marks every day. These are in the main
two stroke engines causing excessive pollution and at the same time using twice the fuel
of cleaner and more efficient four stroke engines. Thus a project to support engine
change would both improve the marine environment enjoyed by many tourists and at the
same time make carbon savings.
Projects using alternative fuels may also be considered. One good example is in Bolivia
where there is a local initiative to produce bio diesel (Alfonso Alem Rojo, WCPA
Member). This helps to create jobs within rural communities where 85% of the
population is classed as economically poor, and at the same time will significantly
reduce the shortfall of local diesel which requires an import of 800,000 litres a day.
Whilst Bolivia is not a significant tourism destination for UK customers it is listed in the
10 most mega diverse countries in the World and has significant potential for the
adventure market.
Natural sources of energy supply are not all new. Although technology may have
changed design and efficiency many of the old ways of moving people and goods
depended upon wind and water. The whole of the wetland areas of the UK Broads was
7
drained using wind and water pumps and it is only in recent years that pumping stations
have begun to use fossil fuelled electricity.
In many countries opportunities to develop projects which convert wind and water to
managed power are available. For example in Montenegro there are plans to change
the electric pumps which drain a heavily visited area of nature reserves to windmills. At
the same time the heavily polluting diesel train which takes tourists around the reserves
may be converted to run from locally created solar energy (Martin Schneider-Jacoby,
Euronatur)
Some offset projects will also help to improve the health of local communities. In many
parts of central southern Africa (Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC) traditional lighting is
through tin oil wick lamps (Arthur Mugisha, WCPA Member). Where there is poor
ventilation this is a major cause of health problems, often in young children.
Carbon reduction projects do not have to be stand alone. In Kenya the Lake Nakuru
National Park depends for much of its income on tourists but it is quickly degrading
because of deforestation and lack of water flow. Irrespective of any view about the
carbon effects of planting there is a key need for increased planting to stop erosion and
to protect habitat. Reforestation action linked to plans to reduce the use of diesel
vehicles and the creation of solar power to replace wood and kerosene as sources of
light and power would make a sensible project (Dominic Walubengo - Forest Action
Network)
In many pristine environments the use of fossil fuelled energy causes localized damage
as well as contributing to global warming. An obvious example is in “white” landscapes
such as that of the Denali National Park in Alaska which has 300,000 tourist visits each
year. Almost all of the buses taking people into the national park are diesel powered
and Park Managers would welcome help to convert these to alternative fuels (Mike
Tranel, Chief of Planning - Denali National Park)
The theme of converting tourism vehicles to alternative fuels is one that occurs time after
time. Most national park managers would like to see game watching vehicles and even
rangers vehicles run on either bio fuels or solar energy. Other forms of alternative
energy include producing briquettes from reed and in the Lower Danube region there are
plans to create employment making briquettes which will the replace conventional fuels
in heating small hotels (Paul Goriup, Salix Ltd).
Most of the above examples are based upon technical change or adaptation in localized
circumstances but opportunities exist to look at creating carbon neutral areas. One of
the small islands in the Caribbean (Pigeon Island off St.Lucia) has 40,000 tourist visitors
a year and would like to see all energy created from alternative sources such as solar
(Bishnu Tulsie, Saint Lucia National Trust)
The above examples are by no means exhaustive but give a flavour of the opportunities
available for the TF to engage in projects which will achieve significant carbon benefits
but at the same time fulfill its wider RT terms of reference.
5.2.1
The Gambia
8
The Travel Foundation has shown leadership in the Gambia by facilitating the creation of
a Responsible Tourism Partnership and in appointing an in country representative,
Adama Bah. The TF is also involved in a number of specific policy and project initiatives
including a Gambia is Good initiative with Concern Universal.
The Gambia is essentially totally dependent upon oil for all of its energy needs. In global
terms it is a tiny producer of CO2 emissions 227,000 tonnes out of a World figure of 24
billion tonnes (Earth Trends 2003). Per capita CO2 emissions of 200 tonnes compared
with 4,100 per capita worldwide places the Gambia in the lowest emissions sector.
This however masks the drain on the country’s economy of buying oil on the World
market. Every increase in oil prices has to be met by people who are classed as
economically disadvantaged and where many earn less than £1 per day.
The Gambia is a signatory to the Kyoto Convention on Climate Change but has set no
formal CO2 reduction targets. The Government is however committed to a policy which
includes the use of alternative energy, mainly through solar power.
The joint pressures of increased oil prices and political commitment to alternative fuels
create a climate for change and this presents an excellent opportunity to establish
programmes and projects which help to reduce CO2 and provide some economic
wellbeing.
It is known (Dick Sisman unpublished report 2007) that the tourism sector, particularly
the hotel sector is very receptive to incorporating significant solar power technology into
energy systems. It is also known that at least one tour operator (Dick Sisman
unpublished report 2007) is supportive of establishing a carbon offset programme which
would generate funds to create the climate in which such a change could take place.
This offset funding will primarily help to develop the right technology, to encourage take
up of that technology and to achieve a potential target of 6% reduction in the overall oil
bill for the Gambia. This would equate to a CO2 reduction of 12,000 tonnes.
Over and above the technical objectives there is a good opportunity to add value to the
work by establishing opportunities for training and development of local people to
manufacture, fit and maintain solar units in the country. Structures exist to offer such
training and the TF could play a major role in developing pro poor and social benefits. At
the same time there may be other TF activities and programmes in the Gambia which
could benefit from new solar based technology.
Using the list of project types in the introduction this would be a “partnership project” with
other organisations.
(Dick Sisman, TICOS)
5.2.2
Mau Forest Complex, Kenya
The rivers emanating from the Mau Forest feed Lake Nakuru National Park, the most
important habitat of flamingoes in Kenya. The park also houses a large variety of
mammals, furthermore, it is frequented by tourists from all over the world. However,
because of the degradation of the forest, the rivers are no longer flowing; the climate in
9
the area has changed to near desert-like conditions, and it is feared that the Park will die
and along with it tourism which brings in income that also reaches poor people.
In the recent past the Forest Action Network (FAN) have worked with farmers adjacent
to the forest to plant trees (as a carbon sink). With funding, FAN want to plant 1,000
acres of tress with farmers over a five year period. FAN also plan to introduce more
bicycles and possibly horses in the towns neighboring the park (to reduce the use of
fossil-oil powered vehicles) as well as solar electricity in neighboring villages (to reduce
the use of kerosene). By so doing, the park can be helped to be save, poverty alleviated,
while at the same time mitigating climate change and reducing dependency on fossil
fuels.
This project has many additional benefits other than carbon offsetting such as
employment and training for the youth in solar installation and maintenance, business
opportunities provided solar energy use, enhanced wild-life conservation, replication of
the project in other parts of the country; and increasing the national forest cover.
(Dominic Walubengo - Forest Action Network - www.fankenya.org)
5.2.3
Taba Natural Monument, South Sinai, Egypt
The Prime Ministerial Decree declared Taba Natural Monument (TNM) as one of Egypt’s
Protected Areas in 1998. The areas of Ain Hudra, Wadi Hudra, Wadi Ghazala and ElNakab within the TNM are locations that have great tourism potential.
The aim of the project is to develop these areas by adding suitable facilities and
infrastructure for both the tourists and the local Bedouin people. The Bedouin
settlements in Ain Hudra are currently few, for a number of reasons, but in particular the
difficulty to access the spring, the reduced quantity of water and the low water quality for
agriculture.
Alternative energy solutions in the form of wind, solar panels, energy efficient lighting
and solar cookers are to be including into the TNM as a way to save electricity and
reduce carbon.
The Participation of the local Bedouins in all activities of the project will generate
immediate and long terms benefits. Based on this strong relationship with the Bedouins
of the area, the following additional benefits have been established:
Provide the physical infrastructure & services necessary to realize the full
economic potential of TNM
Provide facilitation support to access social infrastructure & services in order to
ensure tangible benefits to the communities.
Create opportunities for partnerships that will lead to responsible/sustainable
tourism development.
Maximize opportunities for the empowerment of front line communities within the
development process.
(Bakr Kandil – Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency)
5.2.4
North Region of Costa Rica
10
Costa Rica has been one of the main destinations for ecotourism in the world for the last
decades. Nevertheless, the northern part of Costa Rica has not profited from tourism
development and is just starting to have international visitors.
During the last three years the University for International Cooperation (UCI) has been
working to declare the area comprising Costa Rica’s San Juan river basin as a
Biosphere Reserve with a total of over 1.4 million hectares.
Community based ecotourism has been identified as one of the priorities for the
development of the North of Costa Rica. There are very diverse ecosystems ranging
from Ramsar wetlands to dense tropical forests, most of them under national park or
wildlife refuge status. The maintenance of the ecosystems with their biological richness,
allowing for long-term sustainable ecotourism requires strong efforts be made for the
consolidation of the existing biological corridors and the establishment of new ones.
Reforestation with native species and ecological restoration of the areas that currently
link the biological islands formed by the existing protected areas is of utmost importance.
Also, the establishment of buffer zones around the protected areas is needed.
UCI has one project oriented on supporting local communities within the proposed
biosphere reserve on the establishment of sustainable community based ecotourism.
Project activities are focused on the development of increased managerial skills based
on best-practices for ecotourism, the establishment of best practices in energy and water
use and disposal of garbage and wastewater and supporting internet services for
reservations and training of local entrepreneurs on the adequate use of communication
technology.
In addition to the carbon sequestration benefits the project will generate local economic
benefits to the communities involved. The project would showcase different technologies
needed to pursuit a sustainable development path in a practical and applied manner.
(Dr. Eduard Muller - University for International Cooperation)
5.2.5
Lower Danube region, Ukraine
The lower Danube region is recognised as a place of global ecological importance: truly
"Europe's subtropical zone". It holds the largest complex of wetlands, riverine forests
and steppes in Central Europe. There are over 1,000 species of flowers and more than
200 birds including pelicans, herons and eagles.
This project will replace the existing inefficient, noisy and polluting two-stroke engines
with four-stroke engines on three skiffs used for tours in the Danube delta.
The first stage involves the purchase of three new 15 hp four-stroke engines. These
have lower fuel consumption, are quieter and do not release oil in to the water. The
second stage is to purchase one additional 12hp electric-powered motor from USA and
5 x 12v deep-discharge batteries within Ukraine. The petrol-engines take visitors from
Vilkovo to the buffer zone of the Danube biosphere reserve, while the quiet and nonpolluting electric motors are used within the reserve.
11
Given a working life of at least 5 years, the motors would save a minimum total of 9,840
litres of petrol.
In addition to offsetting C02, this project will benefit the environment as pollution of
Danube from oil released by two-stroke motors will be reduced and there will be less
disturbance of wildlife. The transportation will more reliable and better enjoyment for
visitors by greatly reduced (or nil) noise levels.
(Paul Goriup - Salix Ltd - www.salix.od.ua and www.fieldfare.biz)
6.0
Conclusion
This report is intended to provide the Travel Foundation with both an overview of the
tourism activities which have an impact upon climate change and project ideas which
would help to reduce these impacts. It ends with five specific projects from around the
World of the type in which the TF could engage.
There is of course a range of possible responses which the TF could take to incorporate
climate change issues into its work and this is really a matter for policy makers to
determine. These will include the following:
1. The development of new projects which are primarily to deal with the impacts
or effects of climate change or Co2 reductions. This could be via a
combination of self start projects and calls for tenders.
2. The incorporation of Co2 reduction into all relevant TF projects as a part of a
wider RT policy through an additional objective in contracts.
3. Through partnership arrangements with tourism organisations and tourism
industry bodies to develop “offset” projects and programmes. A number of
associations are known to be looking to develop offset policies.
4. The development of a climate change service for the tourism industry and other
stakeholders to provide advice and information. The Insider Guide is a good
start to this.
5. To formalize links with one or more offset organisations who can provide
relevant services to the TF to enable it to allocate or retire offsets generated
through projects. This could be through a combination of both voluntary and
certified offsets.
Climate change is now seen by many in the tourism industry and more generally as the
single most important environmental issue to be faced in the next few years. It is timely
that the TF has commissioned this work and the consultants hope that the information
they have provided will help the TF to formalize its own responses and policies.
12
References
Alaska Conservation Solutions
http://www.alaskaconservationsolutions.com/acs/akcalculator.html
Annual Report Essay: Toward a Radical Transformation of the Automobile
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/uk/article_1178390.php/British_cities_get_to
uch_of_Bombay_with_tuk-tuks
Becken, S. 2001. Energy Consumption of Tourist Attractions and Activities in
New Zealand. Summary report of a survey. Lincoln University, New Zealand
Carbon Zero http://www.carbonzero.co.nz/calculators/calculators_tourist.asp
Ceppi, P. November 2006. The Carbon Trust three stage approach to developing
a robust offsetting policy
http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/publications/publicationdetail?productid=CTC621
DEFRA website
www.defra.gov.uk/environment/business/envrp/gas/05.htm
Kirsty Clough (WWF) 15 November 2006
Planai & Hochwurzen
http://www.planai.at/content/technik_umwelt/beschneiung/technik_umwelt_e_425
_ENG_HTML.htm
Polluter Scooters http://www.wweek.com/editorial/3240/7867/
St Petersburg Times Online ‘Ethanol: Is It the Answer? 17 October 2005
www.sptimes.com/2005/10/17/Worldandnation/Ethanol__Is_it_the_an.shtml
Squaw Valley USA
http://www.squaw.com/summer/html/environmental_ccmotor.html
The Independent ‘Winds of Change’
http://travel.independent.co.uk/skiing/article138114.ece
Transport and the Urban Environment
http://www.ifc.org/ifcext/municipalfund.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/Urban_Transport_
Urban_Env/$FILE/Urban+_Transport_Urban_Env.pdf
‘Tuk Tuk from Thailand’ 17 December 2005
http://events-in-thailand.blogspot.com/2005/12/tuk-tuk-from-thailand.html
Wikipedia ‘Ethanol Fuel’
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel
US Department of Energy ‘A Consumer’s Guide to Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy’
13
www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=1
3290
Project Contacts
All of the projects outlined in section 5.2 form part of submissions to the Tourism
Industry Carbon Offset Service see www.ticos.co.uk
Alfonso Alem Rojo (WCPA member) January 2007
Arthur Mugisha (WCPA member) January 2007
Bakr Kandil (Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency) March 2007
Bishnu Tulsie, Saint Lucia National Trust
Colin McQuistan (WWF Thailand) January 2007
Dominic Walubengo (Forest Action Network - FAN) www.fankenya.org) January
2007
Dr. Eduard Muller (University for International Cooperation – UCI) January 2007
Martin Schneider-Jacoby (Euronatur) January 2007
Mike Tranel (Chief of Planning, Denali National Park and Preserve) January
2007
Paul Goriup (Salix Ltd) www.salix.od.ua and www.fieldfare.biz January 2007
Bibliography
Air Info Now http://www.airinfonow.org/html/faq.html#Q12
‘Drowning in Noise: Noise Costs of jet Skis in America’ April 2000
http://www.nonoise.org/library/drowning/drowning.htm
Green Consumer Guide
http://www.greenconsumerguide.com/commercial.php?news=3227
Monsters and Critics news
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/uk/article_1178390.php/British_cities_get_to
uch_of_Bombay_with_tuk-tuks
‘New Bangkok Tuk-Tuks Lean, Clean and Green’ April 2006
http://www.thailandtravelsearch.com/thailand/news/bangkok-green-tuk-tuks.shtml
14
15