The Aalborg Commitments and Action for more Sustainable European Tourism

Transcription

1 Salerno, 15 June 2007 The Aalborg Commitments and Action for more Sustainable European Tourism Kirsten Wolfrath Project Coordinator, International Training Centre ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability

2 Actions on Sustainable Tourism. Some questions to consider What are the objectives of sustainable tourism? What concept do we follow? Can we find a balance between environmental, social and economic dimensions in tourism? What is the (national) legislative framework? What are the local policy conditions? How does tourism relate to Aalborg Commitments 1-10? Do we see tourism integrated in Urban management or as sectoral planning exercise? Do we already know cases to promote? Which ones? Other considerations?

3 Pre-conditions at Local Level. How things developed in Europe 1960s and 1980s: From remediation to environmental protection Environmental problems and crises forced local governments to react. Environmental legislation assigned duties. In the 1990s: From pollution prevention to agenda setting Voluntary initiatives & commitments beyond legal requirements (Greenhouse gas reduction, EMS, LA 21). Think global, act local! 21st century: From agenda to action Towards an unwavering implementation of sustainable development (Sustainability indicators, reporting & Sustainability Management)

4 Pre-conditions at the Local Level. Realities & Environmental Risks in Europe How things stand Challenges and threats despite good environmental achievements e.g. Land consumption Noise & light pollution Air pollution Soil & land degradation Climate change & consequences Bio-diversity losses

5 The Journey Magic Cube of Local Sustainability LA Functions Global Networks Conservation Services Own functions Governace Plan Do Management Loop Check Act Relationships Other spheres of government Integrated Sustainability strategy Local Networks Sustainability experiments Community Ad Hoc green projects Planning Tools Beginners Doing Tools Sustainability Tools Checking Tools Improvement Tools People Planet Prosperity Sustainability Sustainability Media

6 Environmental Management Tool Box ANALYTICAL TOOLS & PLANNING Environmental & Social Impact Sustainability Assessment Strategic Assessment Risk Assessment Environmental social & economic planning Disaster planning Life Cycle Assessment CRITERIA AND STANDARDS Sectoral sustainabilityp erformance targets ISO family of management standards EMAS SA 8000 Social accountability AA 1000 Accountability Corporate social responsibility Triple Bottom Line GRI MANAGEMENT TOOLS EMAS, ISO 14000, ISO 9000 ecobudget Sustainability management Cleaner technology IPPC & WM Pollution prevention Disaster management plans Conflict management CHECKS & ACT Environmental & social monitoring & Measurement Inspection, analysis and records Environmental & social auditing Improvement Management REPORT AND COMMU- NICATION Environmental & social reporting Triple Bottom Line GRI Environmental & social communication State of the environment & society reports Public participation Sustainabiity Indicators

7 Mainstreaming Local Sustainability. Capacity Development Local Action Political commitment Public participation Administrative capability Capacity Building in Local Institutions Global Sustainability

8 Mainstreaming Local Sustainability. ICLEI Activities & EU Policy Framework Sustainable Development Strategy Lisbon Strategy ca. 115,000 EU Cities & Towns Implementation & Projects 490 Cities & Towns plus 2,500 cities & towns signed up to Aalborg Charter (compare: EMAS 180 registered public bodies, below 10 Cities & Towns) Aalborg Commitments

9 Mainstreaming Local Sustainability. Processes Aalborg Charter: Principles of Sustainable Development Commitment to Action (LA21) Aalborg Commitments: Commitments to Action in 10 Action Areas Targets SEVILLA SPIRIT: Accelerate the Aalborg Commitments Partnership with EU Commission 2007

10 The Aalborg Commitments 8 Vibrant and Sustainable Local Economies: We will work to... (5) promote sustainable local tourism 2 Urban Management Towards Sustainability: We will work to... (2) deliver integrated management towards sustainability based on the precautionary principle and in line with the Urban Thematic Strategy. 3 Natural Common Goods: We will work to... (1) reduce primary energy consumption, and increase the share of renewable energies. (2) improve water quality, save water, and use water more efficiently.

11 Sustainable Tourism. What should be sustained? Quality of Life Economic Behaviour Natural Resources

12 Sustainable Tourism. What should be sustained? Quality of Life TOURISM Natural Resources

13 Mainstreaming Local Sustainability. Principles Implementation? Cyclical procedure? Peak Motivation Decline Initiative

14 Mainstreaming Local Sustainability. Principles Periodic cycles... ensure continuity

15 Mainstreaming Local Sustainability. > The Sustainability Cycle ( Implementation & Monitoring Core document: Sustainability Programme Evaluation and Reporting Core document: Evaluation Report The Sustainability Cycle (update of ) Baseline Review Core document: Sustainability Report Political Commitment Core document: Council Approval Target Setting Core document: Sustainability Targets.

16 Tourist destination Cases: Major Threats to Resource Base Decreasing forest reserves due to forest fires, conversion to agricultural uses Destruction of heritage sites and unique landscape Overexploitation of coastal and marine habitat and resources Pollution of water tables and permanent destruction of valuable aquifers Degradation of marine environment due to pollution from industries, agriculture, and settlements Coastal erosion and sedimentation

17 The Tubigon Case: ecobudget 2006 Environmental Issue Resources Indicator Base year/last year Targets (2015) Target (2006) (2004) (Long term) (Short term) 1.) Potable Water Supply Drinking water # of sources positve of Colliform 4 out of 12 sources all sources tested negative all sources tested in Mun. Waterworks (only available benchmark) negative positive of colliform turbidity/concentration of suspended 12 Mun. Waterworks 100% of sources 50% of sources solids (ppm) sources don't meet meet DOH standard meet DOH standard DOH standard (ppm) determine baseline! % of non revenue water (systems loss) 20% 35% 2.) Forest Cover Mangrove forest area covered/reforested 550 ha 600 has 555 has (Coastal Zone) 3.) Forest Cover Timber/Fruit Tree new # of trees planted 0 20,000 trees 4,000 trees (Upland Zone) increase in area covered 500 has. 50 has survival rate 70% 70% 4.) Degraded Marine Coral reefs/ sea # of established MPA's 5 MPAs 12 MPA's 7 MPAs Habitat grass beds coral & seagrass cover 40 % cover 70 % cover 45% cover marine biodiversity # of species # of has established as MPAs 196 has 287 has 222 has 5.) Rapid Siltation Quarry Materials # of un-regulated quarry permits type of quarry materials? inventory of vol. & type of materials? # of alternative livelihood introduced numbers? numbers? 6.) Solid Waste Disposal - Good built environme% reduction of residual Solid Waste 0% 30% 5% in tons/cum meter # of HHs (%) practicing segregation 0 % 90% of HH's 15% of total HHs

18 The Tubigon Case: Measures RESOURCE Indicator Unit of Measure Current Value Short Term Target (2006) Short term actions [add rows if needed] Frequency of monitoring Mang ro ve Fores t Area Covered/Reforested ha ID site for reforestation - coordinate with barangays leaders and validate ID area to be planted -monthly Tim be r/ Fruit Tre e New Trees P lanted # 0 Increase in Area Covered ha 0 4, Survival Rate % procurement of planting materials - monitoring of number of new trees planted - monitoring of # of new trees planted - monitoring of # new trees planted - training on forestry management - monitoring survival of newly planted trees - monthly - monthly - monthly

19 The Tubigon Case: Implementation

20 The Tubigon: Impacts Created an enabling environment of appropriate policies, procedures and structures Strengthened capacity of institutions to implement integrated environmental management system through procedural discipline, training and intellectual support environmental budgeting allowed local governments to better address local environmental issues and coordinate more effectively Local authority acts in initiating environmentally responsible behavior in the whole municipality as well as in the internal administrative procedures Enhanced political commitment Ratified priorities and targets (Environmental Master Budget) by political body (council) Increased capacity to effectively apply environmental management system Achieved greater participation necessary for its effectiveness and accountability (communication and interaction between local authorities and stakeholders)

21 The Kalithea Case: Budget Balance

22 The Ferrara Case: Indicators

23 The Ferrara Case: Indicators

24 The Ferrara Case: Indicators

25 Sustainable Tourism Destinations ICLEI Creating Sustainable Communities & Cities A Sustainable City Viable local economies Just & peaceful communities Eco-efficient cities Resilient communities Securing unwavering Implementation Urban Governance Sustainability Management Sustainable Procurement Protecting Global Common Goods Climate & air Water Soil & food Biodiversity Health

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