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Partnership for regional sustainable (tourism) development

Round table discussion seminar Tourism – chances and challenges, Sustainability and Competitiveness Nordic House, Reykjavík Feb 15th 2008. Partnership for regional sustainable (tourism) development. Stefán Gíslason MSc Environmental Management and Polciy Environice, Borgarnes, Iceland

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Partnership for regional sustainable (tourism) development

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  1. Round table discussion seminar Tourism – chances and challenges, Sustainability and Competitiveness Nordic House, Reykjavík Feb 15th 2008 Partnershipfor regional sustainable (tourism) development Stefán Gíslason MSc Environmental Management and Polciy Environice, Borgarnes, Iceland www.environice.is stefan@environice.is

  2. Contents • Summary • Background • Historical... • A little bit on Green Globe • Monitoring and data • Industry’s opinions • Did they succeed?

  3. Summary • Three regions in Iceland have decided to head for a full international certification according to the Green Globe standard for communities. • As an example, 5 municipalities on the Snæfellsnes peninsula in western Iceland have been co-operating on this since 2002, and are awaiting a certification audit in April. If successful, the region will be the first certified in the northern hemisphere! • To gain this, the local governments have entered into partnership with the regional industries, especially the tourism industry, to develop the whole region towards sustainability. This is a prerequisite for the certification.

  4. Background Snæfellsnes: • 90 km long, 1,474 km2 (1.4% of Iceland’a land area) • A line of mountains with Snæfellsjökul glacier (1,446 m) furthest to the west as a symbol (“Centre of the Earth”) • A rich diversity – Snæfellsjökul National Park • Five municipalities with a total of some4.000 inhabitants = Tre “big” fishingvillages (ca. 3x1.000 inh.) + farms • Industry: Fishing, agriculture, tourism

  5. “Historical” background 1998) The municipality of Snæfellsbær starts working with Local Agenda 21. The local government approves a Local Agenda 21 action plan => finds out that the municpality cannot do a lot without co-operation with the industries and the neighbouring communities. Autumn: The municipality of Snæfellsbær invites the neighbouring municiplities to partnership regarding Green Globecertification.

  6. “Historical” background (cont.) Spring: Five local governments (the whole peninsula) sign an agreement to seek a common Green Globe certification.Autumn: The launch of the project, a steering group established with representatives from the local gvmts. (with links to the industries), the national park and some national gvmtl. institutions (Road admin., power company, tourist council) Autumn: “Benchmarking” achieved(WTM, London, 10-nov-2004) 2006) 2007) Benchmarking renewed April: Full certification?

  7. What is GREEN GLOBE ? • Based on Agenda 21. The tourism industry’s response to the challenges of the Rio summit 1992 • Formally established by WTTC – (World Travel and Tourism Council) 1994 • Originally based on membership • Independent certification scheme since 1999 (the world’s only global certification scheme for sustainability) • The first GREEN GLOBE standard for tourism companies published in 1999 • A GREEN GLOBE standard for communities presented late in 2002 • A new standard for communites 2003 and companies 2005/2006 • Headquartes in Australia since 2003

  8. Why GREEN GLOBE? • International recognition • The only certification scheme for communities • Certifies all sectors of tourism • Co-operation with universities (a strong prof. back-up) • Emphasis on local resources (goods/services/labour) • Based on Agenda 21 and sustainable development

  9. From the standard • The outcome is […] a more sustainable Community where the Tourism industry and other sectors are actively underpinning sustainable outcomes. • The Community Standard recognizes the benefits of a community working together to achieve sustainable outcomes. It requires a Community Authority to provide leadership • The Standard is designed to empower local communities and to build on local initiatives. • It deals with environmental regeneration and environmental improvement as well as the conservation of existing heritage assets.

  10. From the standard • The GREEN GLOBE 21 Community Authority shall: 3.6 Have a commitment to individualize environmental and socially sustainable performance accountability to companies, community members and authorities within the Community. 3.9 Have a commitment to give preference to employment, products and services of local community origin.

  11. From the standard • The GREEN GLOBE 21 Community Authority shall: 5.8 Have regard to the following considerations in developing Community Benchmarking supplementary performance indicators:§ Giving preference to locally produced goods and services§ Encouraging local employment§ Encouraging industry reinvestment in the local community§ Minimizing leakage of locally generated revenue§ Stimulating local micro-businesses 6.1.7 Encourage Community stakeholders to engage in the Community Authority’s environmental and social programmes.

  12. Regional indicators

  13. “Best Practice” “Baseline” Presentation of results • Every indicator annually compared to GG “Benchmarks” • Should be above “Baseline” • + continuous improvement • Example ->->->->

  14. A Comment “Three years ago I would have said that all this talking about sustainability was nothing for my company, but just some meaningless costly requirements. But, just operating the company within a community with this positive kind of sustainability profile, has really improved my company’s image among the customers. It’s a privilege from a marketing point of view to have the opportunity to participate in this development”. Ólafur Rögnvaldsson, CEO of the region’s largest fish industry

  15. More regions • Two more regions have already started to prepare for Green Globe certification (with Snæfellsnes as a role model) • Álftanes (south of Reykjavík) • Iceland South Central • Still two more are in the early phase, awaiting a formal approval from leading authorities

  16. Have they succeeded? • Have they succeeded in estabishing a active partnership between local authorities and the industries for increased sustainability and in creating new opportunities for regional development? • The work just started • There are no absolute indicators/measurements • But the base has been built at least!

  17. Conclusion • The regional work at Snæfellsnes is an example of how the industrial development can be managed on a local or a regional level and guided towards sustainability, in order to create new opportunities for regional development • As the ”Green Globe Community Standard” demands an active co-operation between the authorities and the industries, it has the potential to function as a tool/guideline for local/regional co-operation towards sustainability • This opens up for new opportunities for a common marketing ofthe whole region

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