IMPACT SHEET • SWITCH-ASIA PROJECT Zero carbon resorts

cutting carbon with appropriate technologies in the tourism sector

the switch-asia proJect Zero carbon resorts improves resource management in the energy intensive hotel inDustry

the challenge

obJective

The tourism industry in the Philippines is growing fast, bringing employment opportunities to the region and strengthening the economy of the country. Tourism has, however, a high demand for energy for guest services, and is responsible for a large amount of CO2 emissions. Due to the poor electricity supply infrastructure and inefficient appliances wasting energy, energy is one of the highest costs for small tourist businesses. Carbon-neutral energy supply systems, and appropriate local and environmental technology solutions, are required. By increasing energy efficiency, changing peoples’ behaviour, implementing green technologies, and using locally available resources, the carbon footprint of tourism can be significantly reduced. This also calls for a revision of environmental policy by the regional government to help formalise the changes and to stimulate their replication.

The SWITCH-Asia project Zero Carbon Resorts seeks to enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector, such as hotels and resorts in Palawan and other parts of the Philippines, to provide their energy services in an

efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sound way through training courses and direct consultations with the companies. Specific objectives include: • To reduce carbon footprints by increasing energy efficiency and switching to renewable energy resources;• To increase the availability of energy services;• To stimulate the local economy by producing and using renewable materials and low-carbon technologies for buildings and appliances;• To decrease dependence on fossil fuels;• To provide local engineers with the skills and know- ledge, theoretical andpractical, to improve the gene- ration and use of energy

target groups• Tourism SMEs/ local hotels, resorts and restaurants• Local architects, planners, engineers, practitioners, technical consultants, and students• Consumers• Tourists and guests of the hotels and resorts• Regional government

activities / strategy

The SWITCH-Asia project Zero Carbon Ressorts (ZCR) adopts a practical and step-wise approach. First, a baseline analysis of tourism SMEs diagnoses their problems in energy management. ZCR experts suggest solutions for maintaining the peak load demand and for increasing efficiency of appliances, directly in the companies. At the same time, addressing the consumption side of the equation, campaigns target the guests in an effort to make their actions more environmentally friendly

step-by-step innovationEngineers, building and facility managers, environmental consultants, as well as hotel

and resort staff are able to increase their capacities and knowledge through a series of training courses. In parallel, the local production of renewable materials and green technologies is promoted. The core strategy is showcasing what is possible and feasible, and displaying the procedures and achievements, should attract more businesses to the step-by-step approach to energy efficiency

“3 r” approach To make a change that will both improve energy efficiency and enable a switch to more

renewable energy sources, it is crucial to overcome the widespread perception that innovation and change is difficult and expensive. The first step, using low-cost measures to increase efficiency (“reduce”), should give rise to immediate benefits including cost savings. The second step sees technological innovations providing higher levels of efficiency (“replace”): greener and more efficient alternative technologies replace out-dated and fossil fuel-based devices, paid for by the savings made in step one. Finally, an energy autonomous flagship cottage is designed and constructed as a tangible showcase that can be replicated elsewhere (“redesign”).

IMPACT SHEET | SWITCH-Asia project Zero Carbon Resorts

replication strategy

replication via policy makersPalawan has a unique strategic environmental plan (SEP). In order to achieve balance in the

plan between development objectives and environmental protection, it set out presents a clearing system for new tourism developments. Each new resort, guest house or hotel, needs official authorisation from the Palawan Council of Development (PCSD), a partner in the project which plans to optimise the clearance system. The Zero Carbon Resorts project has two entry points. The integration of zero carbon technologies will become obligatory in future tourism developments. A temporary solution is to include zero carbon topics in the special terms and conditions issued for individual resorts that apply for approval. Additionally, the project seeks to integrate energy efficiency indicators into the monitoring system of the SEP that ensures hotels, resorts or other tourism projects are implemented in appropriately designated zones and pursuing sustainable development objectives.

replication via peer clustersThe project has grouped the front runner Palawan tourist establishments into a Frontier Group

(FG). These 30 hotels and resorts serve as demonstration SMEs. All FG members have undertaken energy audits, and received instructions for improvement as a result. Their success stories will be disseminated in other regions through handbooks and instructional videos. With peer-to-peer communication, hotel or resort owners inform each other of their achievements and improvements. These SMEs also function as the main intermediaries between the green technology providers and energy service users (tourists and staff).

replication via outreachThe ZCR project constituted strategic alliances with key communities to in order to build

synergies with them. It set up the Zero Carbon Resorts virtual platform with two components: one for the public and one for members only. The public site serves as a platform for information and dissemination. The member site is built on the Zero Carbon Resorts database where the participating SMEs can register and enter data on their own consumption of resources. The users can discuss topics through the forum. Hotels, resorts, and restaurants who want to improve the quality of their energy services and to reduce operation costs can register through the website to obtain useful information or put their questions to the experts.

We joined the Zero Carbon Resorts project in the quest for a sustainable environment by lowering our carbon footprint without compromising the comfort and satisfaction of our guests. I am very grateful to the project for sharing its expertise and knowledge on the technical aspects of going green, and on how to make our business more profitable by simply going green. We’ve already saved nearly 40% of our operational cost by implementing the practical solutions learned from the technical guidance and various trainings. I encourage other resorts to join the project not only for the better environment, but also for better business returns.

Mr. Butch TAN Owner of Puerto Pension, and Daluyon Resort, Member of Frontier Group

environmental performance improveDEnergy consumption among hotels and resorts decreased as a result of project activities. In

some cases the quality of energy services improved when appropriate measures were taken, such as changing the roof colour, properly sealing air-conditioned rooms, or using renewable energy generation. Such measures lead to savings in the cost of energy. The savings are redirected to investment for renewable energy facilities, or for appliances with higher energy efficiency. Appropriate technology solutions like solar water heaters, biogas digesters, recovering wasted heat, and improved cooking stoves have been developed to be locally produced, at affordable costs.

consumption consiDereDIn parallel to improvements on the demand side, the project targeted hotel guests for awareness-

raising campaigns to encourage the spendthrift behaviour of users.

capacity of local engineers establisheDLocal engineers, technical consultants, architects, student and lecturers of Palawan State

University are qualified and now acting as intermediaries to the tourism industry. They are trained in basic theories of energy supply and demand, renewable energy sources and technologies, and building solutions with natural ventilation and lighting, etc. A number of trainees have already won research funds and competitions. Schools

results

and universities are important multipliers and are fast adopting the zero carbon practices, in particular Palawan State University, West Palawan University, and Sabang elementary school. Technical solutions are integrated in the curricula. Even the national science training program (NSTP) integrates Zero Carbon Resorts topics.

tangible showcases During the “redesign” phase, a zero carbon cottage will be designed and constructed, to

showcase sustainable building and energy systems using appropriate technology solutions. The project’s added value comes in its acknowledgement of the local context and the fact that solutions are tailored accordingly.

Redesign

Replace

Reduce

Carbon neutral and self-sufficient energy supply

Switch to renewable energy resources (e.g. new air conditioner)

Efficient operation of existing energy appliances (e.g. close windows when air conditioning)

Flagship cottage

Technology innovation

Improve efficiency

Range of easy-to-achieve effectiveness

Leve

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3 "R" approach

impact in numbers

economic impact

environmental impact

social impact

engagement oftarget group

policy linkages

FG members improve economic performance by up to 40%: • Puerto Pension, a FG member Hotel, has 40% decrease in operational costs for electricity and water • Kokosnuss Garden Resort saved Php 9 720/month with new LED lighting system. Saving Php 3 500/month after project team fixed the electrical systemExpansion of business:• Microtel Inn implementing Zero Carbon Resorts concept in 5 sister hotels

• Sangat Island Dive Resort installed an energy storage system that cut the fuel consumption of the diesel generator by 50%

• Tropical Sun Inn 20% increase in occupancy with lower electricity consumption • Capacity of local population built through trainings and workshops• Change of user behaviour through guest campaigns with basic energy information (e.g. electricity guzzler devices)

• 200 SMEs and 110 individuals addressed with Zero Carbon Resorts activities and outcomes• 50 engineers and consultants, planners, architects, practitioners capacitated• 110 SMEs and 60 individuals (promoters) registered on the website and downloaded publications such as the handbook, instructions, visibility materials (target 500)

• Conclusion of memorandum of understanding with national policy agencies such Department of Tourism • Enclosure of Zero Carbon Resorts strategies in policy formulation (e.g. SEP, Palawan provincial resolution, City Resolution of Puerto Princesa)• Reform of the existing policy (upgrading technical standards) of the SEP • Future inclusion of zero carbon technology in local building code etc.

Small and medium size hotels and resorts but also tourists, local residents, technical and design experts, professionals in the energy and the tourism sectors as well as governmental bodies and NGOs in the Philippines are involved in the Zero Carbon Resorts Project. Our common goal is to conserve and recover environmentally sensitive tourist destinations and at the same time to enable businesses to be sustainable. Maintaining the balance between the fundamental aspects of human life, the environment, and society is the essential role of the appropriate technology that the project is supporting.

Dr. Robert Wimmer, Project Manager of the Zero Carbon Resorts Project

IMPACT SHEET | SWITCH-Asia project Zero Carbon Resorts

PhilippinesPalawan

proJect contact

Dr. Robert Wimmer GrAT Center for Appropriate TechnologyWiedner Hauptstrasse 8-10 A-1040 Vienna / Austria

Telephone: +43 (0)1 58801 49523Fax: +43 (0)1 58801 49533Email: ZCR@grat.at

proJect consortium

Legend

Eligible countries where SWITCH-Asia projects are implemented

Eligible Asian countries for the SWITCH-Asia programme

Non-eligible Asian countries for the SWITCH-Asia Programme

Project implementation area

City Region Country

The boundaries shown on this map do not imply on the part of the European Union any judgment on the legal status

of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries.

obJectiveThe SWITC H-Asia project Zero Carbon Resorts seeks to enable tourism SMEs, such as those managing hotels and resorts, to provide their energy services in an energy efficient, cost effective, and environmentally sound way.

Duration

funDingEU co-funding; EUR 2,108,859; (EU contribution: 80%)

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

11/2009 - 11/2013

Center for Appropriate Technology (GrAT), Austria

Philippine Green Building Council (PhilGBC), Philippines

Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), Philippines

Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medio-ambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT) Plataforma Solar de Almería, Spain

Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST), Philippines