Environment
Anahaw - Philippine Sustainable
Tourism Certification Of Awardees
Credits : laducut.com
Zero Carbon Resorts for Sustainable
Tourism Project Final Conference
and ANAHAW Awarding Ceremony
A
fter almost a decade of working with the tourism
industry, the Zero Carbon Resorts (ZCR) project
conducted its final conference in Manila at AG
New World Manila Bay Hotel. ZCR is a European
Union funded project which was launched
in 2010 with an ultimate aim of reducing the
impacts of tourism activities and contribute
to sustainable and inclusive development.
Several stakeholder engagement activities were
conducted in order to meet these objectives.
Background:
(2010 – 2014) The ZCR Project with the support of the European
Union, was first launched in 2010 with a goal of enabling tourism SMEs
in Palawan and other parts of the Philippines to switch from fossil fuel to
renewable energy. This initiative focused on building capacities of local
tourism enterprises to become energy autonomous and promoting local
production of renewable materials and green technologies.
(2014 – 2018) Building upon the results and achievements of the ZCR1
(2009-2014) project in the Philippines, this project envisaged going to
the next level of energy efficiency towards a carbon neutral operation.
ZCR extends the replication of ZCR1 strategies in many regions of the
Philippines and at the same time adapt the methods for Thailand with an
additional focus on access to finance and Green Hotel certification. A cross
country exchange of best practices was facilitated through exchange visits
and a strong policy dialogue. Through the intensive capacity building
program, sustainable consumption and production practices of tourism
SMEs were taken up easily and economic returns from achieved savings
triggered a high rate of replication.
The major achievements of the ZCR project include:
*A critical mass of tourism establishments has been assisted resulting in
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significant monetary and environmental benefits. This a huge contribution
of the ZCR project to the Tourism Industry both in the Philippines and
Thailand. There are 870 registered ZCR members in the Philippines and
300 registered ZCR members in Thailand.
*Increased recognition of ZCR beneficiaries and output. The ZCR
project is continuously supporting the best performing members to be
internationally recognized for their efforts in achieving sustainability,
resource efficiency and for their social responsibility. The number of ZCR
members who were chosen as ASEAN Green Hotel awardees increased
remarkably since ZCR started.
*An increased number of professionals with concern for the
environment. More than 150 active ZCR consultants were trained
intensively and enabled the project team to achieve the necessary
targets, specifically on providing technical support to the beneficiaries.
ZCR strengthened its links with the academe in the Philippines and
Thailand. Information and dissemination about ZCR knowledge has been
conducted in several universities.
*Remarkable success of the project´s policy component. Contribution to
the inclusion of environmental points in the DOT's Star rating system and
a number of local resolutions passed in Palawan encouraging hotels and
resorts to be active in the Zero Carbon Resorts campaign.
*A green supplier’s network was built up with over 150 participating
supplier companies, this significantly improved the market availability of
green technologies and is speeding up the uptake of innovations both in
the Philippines and Thailand.
*Established Zero Carbon Resorts Learning Centers for continuous
dissemination of project results and display of appropriate technologies.
The learning center (Zero Carbon Resorts Demonstration Building) is
receiving an increasing number of visitors. Almost 1000 guests have
already visited the cottage since its opening.