UK Carbon Scheme sends out warning to Tourism industry
The latest information from the Carbon Trust in the UK provides some salient lessons concerning the pending regulatory environment that will come with the new carbon economy. The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) is a mandatory emissions trading scheme starting in the UK in April 2010. The guide is based on draft regulations published in March 2009 and is directed at financial directors. The sectors specifically affected include retail, leisure, professional services, local authorities and universities etc. Under the CRC participants will be required to:
· Measure their carbon emissions accurately and provide a carbon footprint report
· Produce an ‘evidence pack’
· Purchase carbon allowances to cover their emissions
EC3 Global has been advising our clients for the past 18 months that this type of regulatory environment lies just round the corner. Clearly sustainability reporting can no longer be regarded as part of the fluffy domain of public relations, it’s about managing risk and identifying and creating value within the business. The key to efficient carbon management is to build on existing data collection systems such as Earthcheck which can be hardwired into an organizations financial reporting platform.
Read more on this story here
Queensland leads with Tourism Environmental Indicators
Queensland is Australia’s nature-based tourism capital. So it is no surprise that Tourism Queensland is seeking to be the first State Tourism Organisation in Australia to develop a comprehensive set of tourism environmental indicators. A key action under the Queensland Tourism Strategy (2006) the indicators will provide a better understanding of the efforts being made by the industry to reduce their environmental footprint.
EC3 Global was appointed late last year to develop the Environmental Indicators based on international best practice and a series of sustainability goals for the Queensland tourism industry. Now completed, the indicators provide an annual tracking tool for a range of indicators from adapting to climate change to protection of key natural areas. The environmental indicators complement a set of Social Indicators also developed by Tourism Queensland.
For more information visit the Tourism Queensland website or contact the Industry Innovation team at Tourism Queensland.
Mansfield Shire Council has joined the global network of Sustainable Communities committing to world leading sustainability goals, underpinned by the EarthcheckTM science inside. This initiative complements the existing local programs being rolled out with the assistance from Council to achieve the community’s vision of being globally recognised as a leader in balancing the social, economic and environmental needs and values of their community.
The EarthcheckTM Sustainable Communities program, supported by EC3 Global, is a worldwide network of proactive communities that are aiming to achieve world-leading sustainability outcomes. Underpinned by the EarthcheckTM benchmarking, certification and performance improvement system the program assists communities to measure, monitor and achieve sustainability outcomes, learning from the experiences of others.
The EarthcheckTM Sustainable Communities program will underpin a range of commitments that Mansfield Shire Council has already made to improving sustainability outcomes for the community. These include their Environment Committee which provides strategic environmental guidance to Council’s strategic plan, Council policy and direction, as well as the State-based ‘Grow me the Money’ program which is being delivered locally through the communities ‘Green Guinea Pigs’ mentoring business cluster.
Green Globe Training Workshop - Jamaica
Proudly supported by Sandals Resorts International, the recent Green Globe Training Workshop was held at the Sandals Royal Caribbean Montego Bay, Jamaica in late July. Delegates from all over the Caribbean attended the forum to up-skill on the enhanced Certification and Benchmarking programme as delivered by EC3 Global. The workshop featured international and local industry leaders including keynote speakers Dr Bruce Cords, VP Environment, Food Safety & Public Health Ecolab Inc. and Mr Bert Brown, MD SGS Jamaica and Green Globe Auditor.
The workshop, facilitated by approved trainer Mr Richard May and co-facilitated by EC3 Global’s Certification Manager Ms Shey Parry, called on members of the industry to address sustainability. Mr May stated “I have been involved with Green Globe since 1998 and it was good to see the evolution of the standard and to be able to share my knowledge with the delegates in attendance at the training. I believe the Standard has grown and become even more applicable and more effective in providing the guidance necessary for the tourism industry to move towards true sustainability in a structured, definitive, and easily implemented manner.”
Read more on this story here
Official Re-opening of the Negril Library Branch 
EC3 Global’s Certification Manager Ms Shey Parry, attended the launch of the new Negril Library in Jamaica, funded by EC3 member Rockhouse Hotel. Paul Salmon, Chairman of the Rockhouse Foundation and owner of the Rockhouse Hotel addressed delegates on their commitment to social and environmental sustainability. He acknowledged their recent Benchmarking achievement and journey towards Certification following the mock audit conducted as part of the Green Globe auditor training workshop. EC3 Global has committed to sponsoring a Green corner in the library, through the provision of educational tools and materials for the community.
The library is Negril's oldest extant building and housed the original police station. It is located next door to the Negril All Age School and the Negril Basic School, two of the Rockhouse Foundation’s previous projects, whose students are amongst the Library’s most frequent users. For decades the library has had too little space and resources to meet the growing needs of students and community residents alike. The newly modernized, expanded facility will be almost four times larger, equipped with 15-20 new computers and thousands of new books, a spacious reading room and book stack section, as well as a colorful and engaging junior library.
For more information on The Rock House Foundation click here.
Read more on this story here
Six Senses Spa & Hotels – Committed to Sustainability
The Six Senses Spa & Hotel Group is exemplary for the Spa sector.
EC3 Global worked with Six Senses to develop an international benchmarking standard for the Spa sector.
Six Senses Spas currently operate in the group’s Soneva, Six Senses Hideaway and Evason properties in Thailand, Vietnam, Oman, Jordan and the Maldives. They are also hosted in resorts and hotels in Spain, Mauritius, Dominican Republic, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, England and Qatar.
The Spas focus on energy efficiency, water management, waste management, social commitment, protecting natural surroundings, air quality and noise control. The company successfully saves energy using creativity in their methods and aims to positively influence the region in driving environmental sustainable operations through innovation and trendsetting.
Six Senses core purpose is SLOW LIFE which stands for Sustainable-Local-Organic-Wholesome Learning-Inspiring–Fun-Experiences.
Soneva Fushi - Six Senses in the Maldives is participating in EC3 SEED awards, if you want to watch their video please click here. Read more on this story
Dusit goes Green by 2010
Dusit International advances its commitment to protecting the environment by undertaking benchmarking under the Green Globe Company Standard as delivered by EC3 Global.
“Eco-friendly initiatives are compelling to the hotel guests. Hotels around the world are making a significant effort to lower their energy and water usage, and reduce wastes as well as contributing to the local communities as customers become more concerned about the environment, and they are willing to change their behaviour by choosing to stay or partner with hotels that share the same environmental values. A green-friendly hotel is becoming a preferred choice of the guests,” said Mr. Octavo Gamarra, Senior Vice President, Dusit International.
“Not only do we realise that it’s our priority to contribute to the well-being of the communities within which we operate as we prepare for the growth and development of our company, it is also imperative that we initiate programmes to reduce the carbon footprint and ensure the sustainability of our exciting expansion. With our commitment to the Certification Programme delivered by EC3 Global, we can assure our partners, staff and shareholders that we are building on our foundations to be recognised as one of Asia’s leading hotel brands,” added Mr. Gamarra.
I wish for all participating hotels in the Green Globe Programme to obtain the Bronze Benchmarked status by third quarter 2010, followed Certification thereafter.” said Mr. Kenneth Fong, Regional Director of Technical Services, Dusit International.
Read more on this story
The People Behind EC3: Greta Tolksdorf
Greta Tolksdorf
Relationship Manager
With EC3 Global since September 2008
Greta joined EC3 Global in 2008, and was promptly promoted as dedicated Relationship Manager for Pacific, Africa, Central America,Middle East.
With a background in international client management and sponsorship acquisition, Greta has experience mostly in the customer service and project management fields. Her duties include facilitating the delivery of the Customer Care Programme to Members of the Programme.
As the appointed Relationship Manager, Greta’s role is to provide Members with assistance and support as they work through Benchmarking and Certification. Greta is the key point of contact for technical and general programme enquiries and works closely with Members through their Benchmarking Assessment and in preparation for Certification.
Originally from Germany, Greta has a double degree in Language and Literature Studies and Sociology, and has travelled the world across five continents.
“There are two main reasons why I have chosen to work in the sustainable tourism industry: I can identify with the work I do because there is meaning and purpose in the programme and my role. I also enjoy working with members and giving them support to achieve more sustainable outcomes for their business.”
Outside of the office Greta loves to sing and play the guitar. She enjoys the variety of landscapes and the great weather in Australia and does a lot of outdoor sports such as Mountain biking and jogging. She is looking forward to a trip to Europe where she will meet family and friends to celebrate her recent engagement.Green Globe Awarded Members by EC3 Global
Green Globe is an international benchmarking, certification and environmental improvement programme, now delivered in over 50 countries world wide. EC3 Global has the exclusive rights to the brand in in the Asia Pacific region (excluding Mainland China) and non exclusive rights in the rest of the world.
Listed below are the global organisations that have achieved Benchmarked or Certificated Status within the programme in August 2009.
Members awarded August |
Member | Country | Award |
KLIA – Kuala Lumpur Int. Airport | Malaysia | Certified Gold |
Radisson Plaza Hotel Sydney | Australia | Certified Silver |
Novotel Cairo 6th October | Egypt | Certified Silver |
Sunrise Select Mamlouk Palace | Egypt | Certified Silver |
Sunrise Select Royal Makadi | Egypt | Certified Silver |
Sunrise Select Garden Beach | Egypt | Certified Silver |
Novotel Rotorua Lakeside | New Zealand | Certified Silver |
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre | Malaysia | Benchmarked |
Abel Tasman Aqua Taxis | New Zealand | Benchmarked |
Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort | Aruba | Benchmarked |
Six Senses Hideaway & Evason Hua Hin | Thailand | Benchmarked |
Sandals Regency La Toc Golf | Saint Lucia | Benchmarked |
Taj Tashi, Bhutan | Bhutan | Benchmarked |
Certified Platinum Logo represents continued commitment to environmental performance and improvement. It is awarded to organisations after 10 years of continuous certification.
- Certified Gold Logo represents continued commitment to environmental performance and improvement. It is awarded to organisations after 5 years of continuous certification.
- Achieving Silver Certification involves completing all 6 key steps of the program:
1. Policy - establishing a suitable Sustainability Policy;
2. Benchmarking - completing a Benchmarking Assessment. Incorporating key elements such as Energy, Water, Waste, Community, Paper, Cleaning, Pesticides etc..
3. Compliance - comply with relevant legislation and policy requirements;
4. Approach – implementation of an environmental certification management system;
5. Performance – documentation of performance outcomes; and
6. Communication – communication & consultation with key stakeholders including clients, suppliers & staff.
- The Bronze Benchmarked logo recognises completion of the two key steps of the Green Globe Company Standard:
1. Policy - establishing a suitable Sustainability Policy
2. Benchmarking - completing a Benchmarking Assessment. Incorporating key elements such as Energy, Water, Waste, Community, Paper, Cleaning, Pesticides etc.
WWF-Investment in National Parks Boosts Tourism and Saves Wildlife
WWF-Australia is campaigning for much more investment in Australia’s vital national parks system to help preserve countless animal species threatened with extinction.
WWF cites new figures showing investment in new national parks also helps boost crucial tourism-related revenue and employment in regional areas.
Dr Martin Taylor, WWF’s Protected Areas Policy Manager, said investment in the country’s national parks system should not be put on the back burner during tough economic times.
Dr Taylor’s research estimates a total of $14.5 billion was spent by nature-based tourists in 2006, while only $701.8 million was reinvested in building and maintaining the fundamental asset of nature based tourism - the National Parks system - in the same year.
“These figures underline just how important an economic asset our national parks system is just for tourism,” Dr Taylor said.
“If we could put figures on all the other benefits - saving wildlife, genetic resources, clean air and water - the estimates of value would be many more billions of dollars.”
Connecting to Facebook