TG-STS-10/5-2 Feasibility study on climate-friendly tourism (09.09.2013)page 1
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Agenda Item:5
Subject:Feasibility study on climate-friendly tourism in the Wadden Sea Region
Document Nr.TG-STS 10/5-2
Date:9September 2013
Submitted by:PROWAD WP 4 / WWF
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DRAFT
Objective
To take notice of the study “A Bright Outlook! – Feasibility Study on Climate-friendly Tourism in the Wadden Sea Region”developed by NIT - InstitutfürTourismus und Bäderforschung in Nordeuropa on behalf of WWF Germany (see Annex)and to discuss the integration of the proposed measures both in the Tourism Strategy and Action Plan.
Background
Climate protection is a major task for politicians and society and the three Wadden Sea States agreed to achieve a climate-neutralWadden Sea Region by 2030.
Tourism plays a major role in climatechange — both as a cause andimpairment. Many protagonists intourism already commit themselves scientifically, conceptually,and with real actions for more climateprotection — including and especially in the WaddenSea Region.
However, a concrete analysis of the tourism-induced carbon footprint in the Wadden Sea Region and the most effective measures to reduce the CO2 emissions along the tourism chain of services has hitherto been missing.
Therefore, WWF initiated within the PROWAD project the elaboration of this study in order to provide a concrete input to the Strategy on Sustainable Tourism in the Wadden Sea Region and the associated Action Plan.
Status
After a call for tender procedure the study has been prepared by NIT InstitutfürTourismus- und Bäderforschung in Nordeuropa GmbH and is attached as annex both in a German and English version. Both version are available also as printed copies.
Outcome
The study deliversa reasonable estimate of the tourism-inducedCO2footprint for the entire Wadden Sea Region. On this basis, it relates the differentoptions for action and their potential for climateprotection along thechain of services.A ten-point action plan proposes the most effective measures toachieve the agreed climate protection goalsin tourism.
Assessment
This is the first study which analysis the feasibility of a climate-friendly tourism for the entire Dutch-German-Danish Wadden Sea. Although the study does not supply a differentiated calculation of the effects of single actions, it givesjustified estimates of magnitude and thus provides a helpful orientation for effective actions towards a more climate-friendly tourism.
The ten-point action plan addresses all relevant stakeholders and proposes concrete actions.
In short, the study is an excellent contribution of the PROWAD project to the Wadden Sea wide development of a sustainable tourism.
The study will be instrumental for the implementation of the Action Plan and contributes to the aim of a climate-neutral Wadden Sea 2030.
Proposal
The meeting is proposed
- totake notice of and discuss the results of the feasibility study with a view to integrate the proposed measures in the Strategy and Action Plan.
- to understand the study presented as a link between the tourism- and the climate protection intentionsas they have been decided upon in the Sylt declaration 2010, and suggest a respective initiative for the Tønder conference in 2014,