Tourism and Climate ChangeLeading by Example:

Best Practices in Renewable Energy Among Multiple Tourism Industry

Sectors  Ted Martens

October 29th, 2008

Presentation OutlineDefinitionsBenefits & LimitationsRETI Best Practices

AirlinesAccommodationsTour OperatorsCruise LinesSki ResortsPublic Land Agencies

Conclusion

Who is STI?Non-profit whose mission is to help

travelers and tourism providers protect the places they visit, and the planet at

large.  Leave the World a Better Place®

Defining Best Practice “A process, technique, or innovative use of

resources that results in outstanding and measurable improvement in the operation or performance of a tourism business.”

RETI Best Practice BenefitsReductions in greenhouse

gas emissions and operational costs

Enhanced customer loyalty and business marketability

Availability of tax incentives, rebates and grants

Significant return on investment

RETI Additional BenefitsDiversify global power supplyDecrease dependency on non-

renewable energy sourcesCreation of “green collar”

jobs and sustainable economic development

Enhanced protection of the environment

Best Practices AnalysisAccommodationsAirlinesCruise LinesPublic Land AgenciesSki ResortsTour Operators

Accommodations SectorBuilding management

controls 1 megawatt solar

photovoltaic system 80 kilowatt windmill Energy efficiency measuresSolar hot water systemsCarbon neutral

accommodations

Accommodations SectorCost of renovations

US$460,000Projected savings through

07US$238,283

Actual savings through 07US$381,824

Cut approx 10k tons of CO2

Airline SectorMulti-faceted initiatives to

reduce fuel consumption Voluntary carbon offset

initiatives Reductions in idling times Development of prototype

carbon-composite aircraftFleet renewal with more fuel

efficient aircraftRetrofits of existing engines

with more efficient fan blades

Airline Sector

110.7 million gallons of fuel saved per year

Reduction of 908,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent since 2003

Cruise Line SectorUsing shore power

while docked in portEmploying solar and

wind energy on boardReduced fuel

consumption Education and outreach

Public Land Agency SectorSolar photovoltaic, micro-

hydro, and wind energy systems

Fleet management strategies to limit fuel use and emissions

Green building and energy efficiency management practices

Carbon sequestration Economic Impacts

Ski Resort SectorHolistic sustainability planningPurchase of renewable energy

creditsEnhanced vehicle fuel efficiency Building modifications and new

LEED-certified facilitiesInstallation of hydroelectric and

PV systemsHarnessing of methane from

wastewater and concerting it to energy

Ski Resort SectorSaved over 850 tons of CO2

and 1600 MWhRetrofits have reduced

annual energy consumption by 4580 MWH

Tour Operator SectorReduction of diesel generator use

through solar power and advanced battery technology

Support vehicle fleet powered by waste vegetable oil

On-site, grid-tied solar PV systems Development of environmental

standards for suppliers Use of wind-powered water

pumps and solar water heatersPurchase of renewable energy

credits or carbon offsets

For More InformationVisit RETI:

www.renewabletourism.org

Visit STI: www.sustainabletravelinternational.org

Call: 800-276-7764

Leave the World a Better Place®