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History of National Park Management Around the World: What is the Future?

Written by Lucy Longwell on August 16, 2024. Posted in Blog.

What is a National Park?

A national park is defined as any area of land set aside by a government to help preserve the natural environment. National parks can be used for many different things, including recreation and historical and scientific research. National parks fall under the umbrella of the term “protected areas,” which is a broader term encompassing many types of reserved areas such as historical sites, wilderness areas, and more. They do not strictly have to be managed by national governments, and can be managed by regional or local governments as well as NGOs or private entities. There is a vast history of national park management around the world, not just in the US.

The Original National Park: Which One Was First?

Although the National Park movement officially began in the United States in the late 1800s, countries and cultures worldwide had already begun reserving land for many different reasons, such as for religious and recreational purposes. One of the first protected areas on record was the Bogd Khan Uul National Park in Mongolia, established in 1783. The oldest national park in the world title is often misgiven to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, which was actually the second official national park, established almost exactly a century later in 1872 following President Ulysses S. Grant’s signing of the National Park Protection Act. This act reserved the land from settlement, occupancy, and sale and required the Secretary of the Interior to create rules and regulations for the park’s care, management, and conservation.

How are National Parks Managed in North America?

The world’s oldest national park service is Parks Canada, established in 1911, which today manages the country’s 48 national parks, 172 historic sites, and 3 national marine conservation areas. At around the same time, Americans started rallying for the creation of a national park service because many of the national parks lacked central, coordinated management. They were managed by the Department of the Interior, which had other duties as well, and they could not give their full attention to these parks. The parks lacked proper management, and rules were loosely followed, which led Americans to campaign for a more reinforced service. Eventually, Congress passed the National Park Service Act in 1916, signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson. Then, in 1933, an executive order transferred 56 national monuments and military sites from the Forest Service and the War Department to the National Park Service. Today, the National Park Service manages over 400 areas, covering more than 84 million acres across all 50 states.

How are National Parks Managed Internationally?

The National Park Service and the Office of International Affairs protect national parks worldwide, not just in the United States. However, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the main management program for parks internationally. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Switzerland, the agency was founded to promote conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources. In addition to national park management, the agency also supports scientific research and helps implement national conservation legislation. The IUCN helps to manage and categorize over 6000 national parks globally. On a smaller scale, many countries have their own separate park management programs modeled after the US.

What are the Differences in National Park Management Around the World?

National Park Management in Europe

Many European countries have government agencies that manage national parks. These agencies are responsible for conservation, maintenance, and ensuring sustainable tourism. Some of these agencies include the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the National Parks and Wildlife Service in Ireland. These parks are also managed under specific European legislation and are led by directives like the Habitat Directive and the Birds Directive, which require countries to create and manage protected areas like national parks.

National Park Management in Africa

Some agencies that help manage parks in Africa include the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and South African National Parks (SANParks). Park management in Africa differs greatly from other countries in the sense that much of it is community-organized and supported. Funding mainly comes from NGOs and the private sector. Community members are extremely involved in conservation efforts, as well as park management and maintenance. Additionally, anti-poaching and wildlife protection are hugely important in park management, and rangers are often specialized in these areas to help combat poaching.

National Park Management in Asia

Similarly to Africa, community members in many Asian countries are the backbone of national parks. Much of the park is funded through NGOs, international aid, and tourism, and anti-poaching efforts are also critical due to the high value of wildlife products like rhino horns and elephant ivory.

National Park Management in South America

Park management in South America differs from other areas due to its extreme biodiversity and threatened areas. Home to the Amazon rainforest, management efforts mainly focus on preserving areas like the Amazon and combating deforestation. Some agencies that help contribute to this are the National System of Protected Areas (SNAP) in Ecuador and the National Parks Administration (APN) in Argentina. There is also a strong indigenous community involvement in park management, and many parks are located in or near indigenous land. Parks often integrate indigenous cultures and traditions into management and conservation strategies.

How do National Parks Contribute to Conservation?

National parks all around the world serve as biodiversity hotspots. They are home to countless different species of plants and animals and serve as sanctuaries for them to live without threats of human interference. They help to maintain population stability and the genetic diversity of endangered species. Parks also help mitigate climate change – forests such as the Amazon rainforest play a huge role in carbon sequestration. These areas also help promote sustainable tourism, which generates revenue for conservation efforts as well as supports local communities and economic growth.

What are Some Examples?

Now, national parks and all of their unique and beautiful features, as well as how Solimar has revolutionized these areas. Let’s dive into some of the world’s most beautiful national parks and their rich histories.

Liberia: Sapo National Park

Sapo National Park, Credit: Solimar International by Matt Humke

Liberia is home to some of the world’s most pristine and intact natural rainforests and most endangered species, some notable ones being the pygmy hippo, the pangolin, and chimpanzees. Founded in 1983 with the help of the IUCN and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Sapo National Park in Sinoe County was the first national park established in Liberia and it covers nearly 700 square miles of land. It is a biodiversity hotspot, and it has the highest mammal species diversity of any region in the world. Throughout its history, the park has been threatened by illegal logging, hunting, and mining, but it flourishes today and attracts tourists from all around the world.

Solimar has a long history of working with Liberia to help promote sustainability and economic growth. Back in 2022, Solimar had the opportunity to work closely with communities, NGOs, government agencies, and other stakeholders to help define business and development plans for the Forestry Development Authority that are both sustainable and financially feasible. With the revenue gained from the promotion of sustainable tourism, Solimar and these communities have put this money towards protecting and managing environmentally sensitive areas such as Sapo National Park. Currently, the Solimar team is working on helping grow small sustainable businesses all across Liberia, one of them being Sapo Eco Lodge, a beautiful eco-resort located in Sapo National Park.

Sierra Leone: Outamba-Kilimi National Park

Outamba-Kilimi National Park in Sierra Leone, Credit: Solimar International

Outamba-Kilimi National Park is located on Sierra Leone’s northwest border near the Republic of Guinea. The park is divided into two areas: Outamba and Kilimi. In 1974, it was designated a game reserve, but in 1995, it was designated a national park.

The park is also home to some of the most endangered species on the planet, including chimpanzees, monkeys, elephants, warthogs, and more. Visitors can camp for just the day or for longer periods of time.

This year, the Government of Sierra Leone asked Solimar to develop an official Wildlife Tourism Policy. Solimar plans to create a sustainable wildlife policy while also promoting wildlife tourism development to enhance the visitor experience and support local economic growth.

3. Republic of Congo: Conkouati-Douli National Park

Conkouati-Douli National Park, Credit: Solimar International

The Republic of Congo is home to an astounding array of national parks, one of the most famous being Conkouati-Douli National Park, located along the northwestern coast region near Nzambi. The park was established by a presidential decree in 1999. Today, it is managed by the Ministry of Forest Economy and Sustainable Development (MEFDD) and the NGO Noé, a nonprofit conservation organization created in 2001. The park originally covered over 300,000 hectares but was reduced to 144,000 due to a legal provision in 1989.

The park is home to many iconic Congolian faunal species, including elephants, gorillas, buffalos, leopards, chimpanzees, and more. It is also a priority site for the IUCN great ape conservation action plan and a Ramsar site for its importance for migratory and wetland birds.

In 2023, Solimar created an ecotourism management plan for this park to help develop ways to protect and regenerate biodiversity and create sustainable livelihoods and incentives for conservation in communities living near this park. The park faces many threats, such as deforestation, illegal wildlife trade, and climate change, and Solimar’s plan aims to address these issues head-on through secondary research, field visits, and stakeholder consultations. The plan has been fully drafted and is ready for implementation.

4. Mauritius: Blue Bay Marine Park

Blue Bay Marine Park, Credit: Solimar International

The Blue Bay Marine Park in Mauritius is a beautiful marine reserve in the southeast region of the island. It was declared a national park in 1997 and granted marine park status under the Mauritian Fisheries and Marine Resources Act in 2000. Then, in 2008, the park was designated as a “Wetland of International Importance” at the Ramsar Convention. The park is renowned for its vast coral gardens and diverse range of tropical fish species.

The Solimar team has worked with Mauritius in the past, mainly helping to improve management and conservation practices across the entire country, specifically the Balaclava and Blue Bay Marine Parks area. With an increase in tourism over the years as well as the environmental sensitivity of these areas, the parks have seen a drastic increase in environmental degradation. Solimar has concentrated its efforts in a number of different strategies to help reduce degradation, such as by conducting workshops to gather information on environmental threats, conducting field surveys, providing technical training in sustainable tourism management practices, and much more.

5. Ecuador: Machalilla National Park

Machalilla National Park, Credit: Rio Muchacho EcoLodge by Lucy Longwell

Machalilla National Park, located in the province of Manabí along the Pacific Coast, was founded in 1979 by the Ecuadorian Government to protect and preserve the natural wildlife that exists there. It was one of the country’s first protected areas and is now one of 11 national parks all across the country. In 1990, the park was named an internationally important wetland under the Ramsar Convention in Switzerland.

Some notable features of the park include native armadillos, two species of monkeys, and nearly 300 different species of birds. The park also covers regions of the Pacific Ocean and is home to breeding grounds for humpback whales. However, over the years, the park has been threatened by several factors, including poaching and deforestation. In 1991, the Nature Conservancy and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) began contributing funds for conservation as part of the Parks in Peril (PIP) program, with much of these funds going towards supporting parks all across Latin America, Machalilla being one of them. These programs have been relatively successful, and today, the Nature Conservancy continues to work with Ecuador and has helped address many of the countries’ threats, including addressing freshwater pollution by creating the First Water Fund and in recent years has also worked with local communities to help protect mangrove forests, a keystone species in the country.

Back in 2008, Solimar realized the decline in the quality of Ecuador’s natural attractions. Many rural community settlements lie within borders of protected areas, and the country’s natural resources are often misused. Solimar decided to step in and assist with the development of a more sustainable tourism program. The team worked with the Ecuador Sustainable Tourism Alliance (AETS) to spur public-private collaboration and helped maximize tourism’s contribution to natural and cultural conservation. They accomplished this through education and the development of new tourism opportunities. Although this project received many positive results, one of the most notable was the development of a UNEP Green Passport to promote protected areas while also educating travelers on how to travel responsibly.

What Is the Future of National Park Management?

Today, national parks can be found worldwide, covering over 15% of the Earth’s land surface and 7.4% of its oceans. With the climate crisis becoming more and more urgent every day and the challenge of overpopulation, our world’s national parks are at a huge risk. Globally, parks are predicted to have summers that are up to 10 degrees hotter by 2100. Snowy mountaintops will cease to exist, and grasslands will become extremely dry and at high fire risk.

Although these facts are alarming, park management programs all around the world have hastily been working to plan for these climate changes by using new tools and technologies designed by the US Forest Service and NASA satellite data. In addition, the National Park Service is working with the Department of the Interior to expand upon existing partnerships, such as those with other bureaus and non-governmental stakeholders. The NPS has moved forward in developing emission inventories for national parks globally, primarily using renewable energy for maintaining parks, and using climate action planning methods for each individual park to identify key goals that each park aims to accomplish. However, most importantly, increasing communication and building relationships with other national park management agencies across the world will help unite changemakers under a single mission – to combat climate change and protect natural resources.

How Green Finance Can Address the Increasing Demand for Sustainable Tourism

Written by Yaseen Eiweida on August 15, 2024. Posted in Blog.

The world of travel and tourism has helped strengthen both rural and urban communities while also economically empowering local businesses. However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in demand within the tourism industry. We are now seeing an increasing preference for more sustainable tourism options, and green finance is proving to be a viable solution. This trend reflects a desire for tourism practices that not only promote sustainability but can also drive the market for sustainable travel forward in the long term.

In 2024, there are many opportunities in the post-pandemic era of tourism to capitalize on. Climate change remains one of the greatest challenges facing our environment, as well as the tourism industry. Both well-established destinations and up-and-coming ones are having to adapt to climate change. It is important that we design and implement certain measures to mitigate the harmful effects of climate change felt by communities trying to promote new tourism opportunities. A crucial step towards this goal is financing the development of these necessary strategies. Green finance offers the necessary funding and incentives for developing sustainable tourism initiatives. It addresses the growing demand for eco-friendly travel options and ensures the preservation of natural and cultural resources.

The Rise of Sustainable Tourism

What is sustainable tourism? Sustainable tourism recognizes the future impacts of tourism initiatives while considering the environmental, social, governance (ESG), and economic consequences. It takes into account the needs and wishes of travelers while placing equal importance on the environment and host communities.

Sustainable Eco Lodge — Sustainable Retreat: Nature Resort in Sapa, Vietnam

With the continuous predicament of climate change, travelers from all over the world have started to take into consideration the sustainability commitments and records of destinations and providers. In fact, many travelers are even ready to pay a premium for more sustainability in their itinerary. Environmentalists and activists aren’t the only ones driving the growing demand for sustainable tourism. Many people are simply seeking to make more responsible travel choices and contribute to a better future. Looking at the numbers, the size of the global sustainable tourism market is currently valued at $2.61 billion in 2024 and is projected to soar to $8.73 billion by 2031. This not only represents an opportunity for tourism providers to accommodate more travelers, but it is also an opportunity for investors. When comparing the demand for more sustainable tourism versus the supply of options, the numbers are shocking but represent an opportunity for growth. Globally, the sustainable tourism industry is estimated to make up just 2–5% of the travel and tourism industry. Yet, around 80% of travelers said that sustainable tourism was important, and they would want to adopt more sustainable travel practices.

What do Responsible Tourists Want?

In order to understand how the world should finance and invest in sustainable and responsible tourism, it is important to understand the requests of travelers. In the context of the demands of many global travelers, they wish to see more sustainability in six key areas. Expedia Group’s sustainable travel study from 2023 indicates that travelers are willing to pay more for:

Transportation
Food
Activities & Experiences
Lodging & Accommodation
Purchases or Gifts
Engaging with Local Cultures

Even though tourists aiming to travel more responsibly might not fully grasp all the nuances involved, the crucial point is that there is a clear demand for this type of travel. People want to lower their carbon emissions when they travel, choose food from sustainable sources and producers, support regional communities, purchase gifts, and engage with local artisans and craftsmen, amongst other sustainable practices. Growing the socioeconomic status of local tourism providers has always been important to the world of international development, as highlighted by many of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Therefore, now that there exists a market with a genuine demand for more sustainable travel options, and travelers who are even willing to pay more for these options, the time has come to address these demands and fill gaps within the industry.

Thailand’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Provided by Local Artisans and Craftsmen

Recognizing the Importance of Green Finance

In recent years, there have been many green finance success stories that highlight the potential and success of sustainable investing. Globally, the transition to decarbonize the economy requires massive investments. Through green finance, investors in both the public and private sectors can direct their investments towards acts to lower emissions and mitigate climate change. The concept of green finance should not be confused with a risky investment for the sole purpose of helping the environment. Investors involved in green finance are actively reducing their risk. Today, investing in carbon-intensive initiatives has more risks than ever due to the transition to more responsible business practices. Aside from the risks, green financing can also support job growth in new industries and create more business opportunities that do not harm the environment in the way traditional tourism does. Those who embark on these opportunities can help private and public organizations satisfy their climate goals.

Sustainable Tourism Eco Lodge — Undisturbed Accommodation: Thai Eco Lodge using vernacular architecture and a circular water system

Understanding Green Financing

Green financing refers to the economic activity aimed at maximizing environmental benefits and/or reducing risks associated with climate change. For example, a company that secures a loan to upgrade its portfolio of houses with more energy-efficient systems, such as solar panels, contributes to green finance. In turn, those living in the house also are lowering energy consumption and utility expenses. This reinforces the idea that green finance is a win-win for everyone. In the long term, the goal of green finance is to establish a flow of financial resources toward investments that contribute to a more sustainable and resilient economy. In the tourism industry, this includes addressing climate change and other environmental challenges.

Promoting Sustainable Business Practices in Tourism

Contributing to sustainable development requires a change in the way businesses think. Businesses not only need to address the environment when making decisions, but they need to instigate changes in their consumer’s behaviors. If tourists wish to travel more sustainably, there needs to be sufficient opportunities for them to do so. In order to accomplish this, there are several different financial instruments and initiatives in green finance:

Green Bonds: a debt security issued to finance projects that positively address environmental change.
Green Loans: loans granted to projects or businesses that contribute to environmental sustainability (green loans typically come with favorable terms and conditions).
Green Equities: when shares of equities/stocks are re-invested in companies that promote positive environmental results.
Crowdfunding: obtaining funding from a large pool of interested backers to make an impact through sustainable initiatives.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs): collaboration between governments, financial institutions, and private companies to fund and implement sustainable projects.

While each instrument is a great contributor to sustainable development, businesses in tourism need to identify their green goals. The first obvious step would be to assess the potential of the project: What are the potential outcomes or challenges? Businesses should consider the needs and wants of stakeholders. What are the regulators looking for? Investors? Employees? Customers? And so on. While there is a demand for more sustainability in tourism, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The following step is to choose which finance option is best suited. Each has different advantages and disadvantages depending on the context, so it is important to choose wisely to attract investment. Although investors want to participate in socially responsible investing, they also will look to minimize risks.

South Korea: A Model for Integrating Green Finance with Tourism

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is emerging as a leader on the path towards financing green growth opportunities. To meet the country’s ambitious climate goals, financial institutions have announced a $313 billion green financing plan to be implemented across many sectors of the economy, including travel and tourism. Dating back to 2008, stakeholders in Korea’s tourism sector have been identifying countermeasures against climate change. Several years later in 2016, the heritage sectors of the tourism sector began implementing measures to protect the country’s most vulnerable cultural heritage assets. The national government has also played a key role in addressing climate change in tourism as they have focused efforts towards adaptation and mitigation. For the government, the key to adaptation is minimizing the effects of climate change on tourism and cultural heritage. In contrast, mitigation efforts involve leveraging these sectors as a source of education and knowledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

South Korea stood as one of the countries that positioned climate change as a national priority and prepared both the legal groundwork and heavy investment to support this priority. The national government has been involved with monitoring and conducting follow-up measures to adaptation policies and investment schemes. They also spearhead the campaigns to raise awareness of the need to deal with climate change responsibly and immediately. The government also actively promotes low-carbon tourism services using low-carbon transportation, local food, and locally crafted goods, alongside the green transformation of infrastructure. South Korea stands out as a leader and exemplary model in financing and taking initiative against climate change in the tourism sector.

Investment Opportunities to Support Sustainable Growth in Tourism

Many of the key components of sustainable development and environmental management are being overlooked in tourism. Some of these include energy efficiency, waste management, water management, biodiversity, and cultural heritage. By incorporating these components, tourism operators and investors can contribute to the SDGs and be innovative. The key to unlocking this growth is to encourage responsible investing and introducing new opportunities. When aspects of sustainability such as cultural heritage and biodiversity are being funded, the tourism operators can leverage them to promote their destination.

Sustainable Tourism Infrastructure — Coastal Protection: Mangroves help to bind and build soils, reduce erosion, and act as wave breakers to offer protection from rising sea levels

Solimar’s Investment Promotion strategies have successfully secured more than $8 million in debt and equity commitments for ecolodges within or on the borders of national parks. Further, Solimar’s principals have successfully promoted tourism-related investments totaling more than $350 million. At Solimar, we acknowledge that demand from and within new markets will continue to rise in importance. In response, we are keen to assist these destinations by attracting investments to meet demand and achieve the existing growth potential. Solimar provides the unique prospect of offering end-to-end investment promotion solutions. This includes prospectus development and production, investor recruiting, and sourcing debt and equity financing for a wide range of project types across the globe.

The Role of the Public Sector

Although private contributions are effective in tourism and economic development, the public sector has a significant role. In tourism projects, there are typically many parties involved with many goals. These may include tour operators, local governments, and destination management organizations (DMOs), all of whom have expected outcomes for projects. Therefore, public-private partnerships are a great strategy to represent the interests of all stakeholders involved and meet expected outcomes. PPPs offer a greater variety of sources of investment, technology, knowledge, and management expertise. The model is a great method to enhance the supply of resources for development and to help steer demand towards sustainable tourism. In addition, PPPs can extend the cost of a project over a longer period, allowing public funds to be allocated to areas where private investment is either unfeasible or unsuitable. However, PPPs should not be viewed as a solution to public-sector budget constraints or funding shortages; instead, they should be utilized as a means to execute projects and services efficiently and cost-effectively.

PPP for Sustainable Development — Public-Private Partnership: Building Spain’s Modern Train Stations

Not only is public sector involvement helpful, it’s vital. Unlike the private sector, governments usually have to cater to the whole population rather than certain stakeholders. They must be impartial and not have hidden agendas to protect. The public sector can also drive change within the private sector. Through incentives and mandates, governments can enhance private sector sustainable tourism efforts. Given the value each sector adds to the industry, partnerships are at the core of sustainable tourism. By spreading out the risk, and reducing the upfront costs imposed on public budgets, it’s vital for governments to consider partnering with private sector stakeholders.

The Path Ahead and Progressive Strategies

With the emergence of a new travel pattern amongst tourists, we must offer new opportunities. We must steer consumers to more sustainable travel and make responsible decisions. Although there is a segment of travelers who desire to experience greener, more sustainable travel, there are also those who are not yet inspired by sustainability but who could be influenced. Celebrating the transition to an eco-friendly brand of travel should become a key component of the journey towards a sustainable future. To promote these changes, it’s key we broaden the dialogue to appeal to different segments of travelers.

Cities with the potential and resources to spark change should take the lead and set the example. Cities should embrace policies that facilitate the relationship between financial markets and opportunities for green finance. This relationship is key to attracting the assets and capital required to deliver successful sustainable projects for travelers. The diversification of financing opportunities is also an important avenue for growth. No two projects are alike, and no two projects face the same challenges. This means that in order to accomplish goals, there must be ample opportunities to finance these endeavors.

From an internal perspective, to obtain the means of investment, projects must have significant profit potential. Projects must be highly marketable to entice investors. Business plans and prospectus development strategies must be thorough and feasible. Additionally, effective risk management strategies should be in place to address potential challenges and uncertainties, giving investors confidence in the project’s stability. Highlighting the long-term sustainability potential can also attract socially responsible investors who are seeking opportunities to expand their portfolios. By combining these elements, projects can become more attractive to investors, ensuring a higher likelihood of securing the necessary funding.

Interested in our services for Investment Promotion? Contact us to learn more.

Picture related to tourism can aid destinations in addressing climate change

How can Tourism help Destinations Address Climate Change?

Written by Chanyoung William Kim on May 9, 2024. Posted in Blog, Uncategorized.

According to forecasts from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the global tourism sector is anticipated to witness a substantial increase, with projections indicating a surge to 1.8 billion tourists annually by 2030. This growth underscores the pivotal role of tourism destinations in driving economic progress. However, the sector’s expansion is poised to be significantly impacted by the effects of climate change, both directly and indirectly.

Tourism can exert a substantial influence on the environment, contributing to pollution, waste generation, and harm to local ecosystems and biodiversity. Meanwhile, climate change introduces additional challenges such as flooding, land degradation, loss of natural habitats, saltwater intrusion, diminished food resources, and heightened storm intensity. Tourism businesses can be catalysts in either exacerbating climate change-induced challenges or champions in helping communities and destinations address these threats head-on.

The pressing issue of climate change in destinations, exacerbated by escalating greenhouse gas emissions and resultant global warming, will be a defining challenge for the tourism industry over the next several decades. Consequently, the tourism sector bears a significant responsibility to champion environmental preservation and adopt sustainable practices to effectively address the challenges posed by climate change in the realm of travel and tourism.

In this blog post, we will discuss the significance of tourism in helping destinations address climate change. Specifically, we will explore tourism for climate change adaptation and mitigation, its role in decreasing carbon emissions, its impact on local economies, and its potential for promoting environmental education and awareness.

Tourism Destinations for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

Climate change presents escalating challenges to our planet. To effectively tackle this urgent issue, it is essential to implement two critical strategies: Climate Change Mitigation and Climate Change Adaptation.

Climate change mitigation endeavors to curtail greenhouse gas emissions, where the travel and tourism sectors play a pivotal role. The most important approach involves reducing energy consumption through enhanced energy efficiency measures and the adoption of renewable energy sources. Offsetting carbon emissions via carbon offset programs can also be an important strategy and one that has grown substantially in interest and scale over the past decade. However, it is important to note the significant criticism that carbon offset programs have received, and thus such programs must also come alongside significant and meaningful reductions in emissions from the source.

Numerous tourism enterprises are actively engaging in these initiatives. In regions like the Maldives, distant travel destinations, air travel significantly contributes to the tourism industry’s carbon footprint. Attaining Net Zero emissions poses a formidable challenge due to the complexity of eliminating carbon emissions. Nevertheless, some establishments in the Maldives, like Soneva Resorts, have implemented a successful mitigation strategy that targets both direct and indirect carbon emissions. Consequently, certain resorts strive for carbon neutrality by leveraging sustainable energy resources and participating in carbon offset programs.

Climate change adaptation, on the other hand, aims to fortify the resilience of societies, economies, and ecosystems against the existing impacts of climate change. Within the travel and tourism industries, efforts are directed towards safeguarding vulnerable ecosystems and enhancing adaptability. These efforts encompass activities such as coral reef restoration, ecosystem conservation, and sustainable tourism practices.

Many tourism establishments are embracing these adaptation strategies. As an illustration, they delve into pioneering coral restoration methods, such as the initiatives undertaken by Reefscapers. This organization collaborates with resorts to execute management and restoration strategies aimed at rejuvenating marine ecosystems and enhancing the appeal of tourist destinations. Additionally, these companies are actively involved in educating and supporting local communities to raise awareness and bolster resilience against climate change effects.

It is important to note that climate change adaptation and mitigation are two sides of the same climate coin: strategies must be advanced in both in order to secure a viable and just future for humanity. The travel and tourism sector actively contributes to addressing and alleviating climate change by employing diverse strategies. These include enhancing energy efficiency, implementing nature-based solutions initiatives to both absorb carbon and address societal challenges and promoting ecosystem conservation. Collaboration among tourism enterprises, local communities, and governmental bodies is deemed crucial in fostering effective climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.

* (Check Climate Change and Tourism: How Destinations Are Responding to the Climate Crisis (Part 1 & Part 2) other Solimar pages as well)

Contributing to the Reduction of Carbon Footprints while Preserving Nature

Climate change exerts a diverse range of impacts on various destinations, spanning from heightened occurrences of extreme weather events to shifts in natural landscapes. Prominent tourist sites are contending with unprecedented challenges, with coastal tourism proving especially susceptible to the repercussions of climate change. The imminent menace of rising sea levels poses a direct threat to coastal regions. Essentially, escalating temperatures, adverse weather patterns, and increasing sea levels are gradually eroding the essence of historical landmarks and cultural assets. Nonetheless, tourist areas can undertake diverse initiatives to curb carbon emissions while conserving the environment.

What are the various efforts being made to save nature and reduce carbon footprints?

1. Nature-based Solutions

Nature-based Solutions which is based on climate change — Nature-based Solutions (Credit: IUCN)

One first is Nature-based Solutions. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a global entity dedicated to nature conservation and sustainable natural resource management, has championed the concept of nature-based solutions. These solutions encompass actions that safeguard, sustainably manage, and restore nature while simultaneously addressing societal challenges. Nature-based solutions yield a plethora of benefits. They aid in climate change adaptation, mitigate disaster risks by offering protection against storm surges, combat coastal erosion, and even reduce insurance costs.

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) play a key role in both mitigation and adaptation. When considering mitigation strategies, NbS offers significant potential for carbon capture and storage. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) notes that by 2030, NbS could contribute 30-37% of the cost-effective mitigation required to limit warming to below 2°C. NbS can effectively combat the effects of climate change by sequestering and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through ecosystem preservation and restoration efforts.

When considering adaptation strategies, Natural-based Solutions (NbS) provide crucial support for enhancing resilience against climate-related risks. For instance, coastal ecosystems such as blue-green algae and coral reefs in the Maldives play a vital role in safeguarding communities against storm surges and coastal erosion, thereby mitigating the impacts of severe weather conditions. These ecosystems offer essential services that can aid in climate change adaptation.

Tourism enterprises can advance Nature-based Solutions by investing in them to reap economic benefits, enrich tourists’ experiences, address climate change risks, fulfill social obligations, and collaborate with local communities. This strategic approach not only promotes environmental preservation but also bolsters competitiveness.

Moreover, Nature-based Solutions contribute to improving air and water quality, reducing disease transmission associated with habitat loss, and nurturing educational and psychological well-being. Particularly in island locales, the adoption of natural moisture retention methods can amplify soil moisture absorption and decrease marine pathogens. By embracing them, the dual objectives of reducing carbon emissions, conserving nature, and supporting local communities are efficiently met.

In the Maldives under the USAID Climate Adaptation Project, Solimar International recently supported the Ministry of Tourism in creating the first Climate Action Plan for Tourism in the history of the country. This Action Plan outlines concrete steps for tourism businesses to both mitigate and adapt to climate change through strategies like incorporating community priorities, diversifying business revenue, and investing in NbS via innovative climate financing schemes. You can read the full Action Plan here.

* (Read the 2022 White Paper by Solimar International on effective nature-based solutions in tourism.)

2. Supporting and Diversifying Local Economies

Tourism plays a pivotal role in bolstering local economies, thereby contributing to greater economic resilience. However, tourism can also cause dependence on the industry and make destinations more vulnerable to shocks like climate change. Thus, the importance of diversifying local economies through tourism initiatives is key. Encouraging the consumption of locally sourced goods and services can lead to tangible enhancements in local economies. This approach not only generates employment opportunities within communities but also elevates income levels, fostering sustainable development.

The Maldives is one such successful example of climate change adaptation through the integration of community needs and priorities.

This is the Islands of Horsburgh — The Islands of Horsburgh (Credit: The Horsburgh Atoll Tourism Alliance)

Based on the Maldives Tourism Climate Action Plan, the allure of the Maldives, characterized by its pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs, faces threats from climate change. Presently, many resorts and guesthouses in the Maldives encounter challenges in sourcing local produce, often resorting to external markets for essentials like tuna or seafood. While this may seem financially prudent initially, these supply chains are susceptible to climate change-induced disruptions, leading to escalating costs over time.

However, by emphasizing community experiences and locally procured goods, the Maldives can effectively ensure local destination resilience while revitalizing its local economy. Interdependencies among food security, climate change, and biodiversity are evident in the Maldives. Local resorts in the Maldives have championed locally sourced products through initiatives like local contract farming in regions such as Addu Atoll. Collaborations like the one between Addu Atoll and the Addu Meedhoo Corporate Society have facilitated local food production. The Maldivian government has also pledged support by providing agricultural resources and requisite training to cultivate selected crops on 40 key agricultural islands.

This is the picture of the community and culture in the Maldives — Community and Culture in the Maldives (Credit: The Horsburgh Atoll Tourism Alliance)

Integrating permaculture projects can tangibly sequester carbon, leverage carbon markets, cater to hotel guests, or introduce value-added products for sale in hotel establishments or spas. These endeavors have curtailed food miles and hotel carbon emissions, conserved local culinary heritage, and agricultural customs, and created employment opportunities for marginalized groups.

Moreover, concerning fisheries in the Maldives, numerous companies have collaborated with local communities to supply proteins like fish from neighboring islands. By engaging local fishermen to establish new markets for previously exported marine products, these companies have mitigated carbon emissions, facilitated robust supply chains, and promoted sustainable fishing practices.

The tourism sector plays a pivotal role in rejuvenating local economies by nurturing enterprises and human resources while safeguarding the environment. Tourism enterprises can bolster local economies by offering employment to community members and preserving local culture and natural habitats. This concerted effort not only addresses climate change but also cultivates a sustainable tourism model, fostering the development of local communities.

* (Check the Maldives Tourism Climate Action Plan to find out what is being done under the USAID Climate Adaptation Project in the Maldives.)

Promoting Environmental Education and Awareness in Tourism Destinations

Environmental education is crucial in enlightening travelers about the significance of environmental conservation and fostering a consciousness for sustainable travel practices. Tourism operators can cultivate awareness among travelers by integrating environmental education programs before or after their journeys and disseminating information on sustainable travel practices.

Fundamentally, tourism is a conduit for advancing environmental education and consciousness-raising efforts. By integrating components that educate travelers on local heritage, ecosystem preservation measures, and sustainable lifestyles, individuals can develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the global environment.

Let’s look at specific regions like the Horsburgh Atoll and the Bangladesh Sundarbans, where we witness exemplary cases of environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.

1. Horsburgh Atoll (Maldives) (Horsburgh Atoll Tourism Alliance)

This picture is about Horsburgh Atoll — Horsburgh Atoll (Credit: The Horsburgh Atoll Tourism Alliance)

The Horsburgh Atoll, nestled in the Maldives, represents a treasure trove combining natural splendor and historical significance. With a unique ecosystem and historical heritage, the atoll is safeguarded and nurtured through environmental education initiatives. Emphasizing sustainable tourism, Horsburgh ensures the conservation of the atoll’s beauty while promoting eco-friendly tourism activities and fostering awareness of sustainable practices within marine protected areas. Furthermore, visitors can engage with local communities, delving into their distinct traditions and craftsmanship, such as intricate woven mats, wood carvings, and traditional Maldivian lacquerworks. These immersive experiences not only enhance cultural understanding but also underscore the interconnectedness and vitality of ecosystems.

Under the USAID Climate Adaptation Project, Solimar has supported the creation of the first Destination Management Organization (DMO) in the Maldives: The Horsburgh Atoll Tourism Alliance (HATA). HATA is a dedicated group of local tourism stakeholders committed to ensuring that tourism in the Horsburgh Atoll contributes positively to community benefits, environmental awareness, and climate adaptation. United by a shared vision, HATA brings together local businesses, conservationists, and community leaders to promote sustainable tourism practices that protect the atoll’s unique ecosystem while enhancing the livelihoods of its inhabitants. By enabling local communities to manage tourism on their terms and ensuring tourism is a force for the environmental education of future visitors, this model ensures that locally relevant solutions can be designed and funded to support climate adaptation efforts.

* (Check Maldives’ first DMO, The Horsburgh Atoll Tourism Alliance to discover the enchanting Horsburgh Atoll in the Maldives)

2. Bangladesh Sundarbans (Greater Sundarbans EcoTourism Society)

This picture is discovering the Sundarban forests — Discovering the Sundarbans (Credit: Greater Sundarbans EcoTourism Society)

The Sundarbans region prioritizes alternative income sources to forest resource harvesting and ecosystem restoration endeavors. Exploring the forest, engaging with the local communities, and partaking in guided nature tours like forest hikes and boat trips are more popular among the activities available, all while lodging in environmentally-conscious accommodations. Through active participation in ecosystem revitalization projects, like planting native mangrove saplings, tourists directly contribute to enhancing the local ecosystem and partake in activities with positive impacts. Environmental education and awareness are fostered through immersive nature and cultural expeditions, providing interpretive knowledge on herbal plants, wildlife, and forest traditions during guided forest treks. Cultural walking tours enable visitors to explore local landmarks, temples, and cultural performances, including traditional dances and songs, thereby immersing them in the rich tapestry of Bangladesh’s coastal culture.

The Munda people, an ethnic community inhabiting the Sundarbans mangrove forest region, maintain a profound bond with their natural surroundings and cultural legacy. Despite such virtues, this community faces obstacles such as restricted access to microfinance, benefits, and jobs, impeding their ability to adapt. In coastal Bangladesh, grappling with the effects of climate change, they encounter difficulties obtaining resources and livelihood opportunities. These challenges are often intensified during disasters such as cyclones, tidal surges, etc., that reduce agricultural and other production. Additionally, initiatives to aid them encounter financial limitations, impacting their capacity to maintain their livelihoods and access government support.

However, by engaging with this community, opportunities exist to introduce educational initiatives, and resource and capacity development projects that can facilitate community advancement. Moreover, endorsing sustainable business practices that capitalize on their distinctive local ecological knowledge, expertise, and traditions, along with partaking in Munda festivals and cultural gatherings, can bolster appreciation for their ethos and heritage. This approach nurtures mutual respect, opens avenues for their seamless integration within the broader local community, and reduces racial gaps. Consequently, visitors will be able to discover a cottage managed by the Munda community and learn about The Greater Sundarbans EcoTourism Society’s contribution to branding these cottages. This initiative aims to provide tourists with a genuine indigenous experience, promoting a better understanding of the interconnected relationship between local communities and their surroundings.

In tackling the challenges posed by climate change, the tourism sector can significantly contribute by empowering marginalized groups who often encounter social marginalization. By involving these communities, they can secure livelihoods and actively participate in climate resilience endeavors, thus improving their living standard. The pivotal role of the Greater Sundarbans region in supporting these endeavors cannot be understated.

* (Check out the Bangladesh Ecotourism and Conservation Alliance website to discover more about the USAID Ecotourism Activity project in and around the Sundarbans Reserved Forest through the development, management, and marketing of sustainable tourism)

This picuture is the Sundarban Tiger in the forest. — The Sundarban Tiger (Photo Credit: Vignesh, Pexels)

Underscoring the significance of sustainable development through environmental education is imperative to strike a harmonious balance between local economic progress and environmental conservation. These initiatives play a pivotal role in fostering the sustainable growth of local communities and offering travelers a glimpse into the region’s distinctive culture and natural allure. By championing climate change awareness, preserving indigenous ecosystems and cultures, and providing immersive encounters, these endeavors significantly enrich the travel experience.

This picture is the Badaban EcoCottages — Badaban EcoCottages (Photo Credit: Greater Sundarbans EcoTourism Society)

Another example of how locally relevant solutions can empower climate change mitigation and adaptation is the Sundarbans EcoVillages situated in the Sundarbans region of Bangladesh. The Sundarbans EcoVillages comprise multiple villages or communities rather than a singular location. This initiative revolves around community-based tourism, empowering residents to generate diverse sources of income from tourism activities instead of depending on unsustainable resource extraction from the Sundarbans for their livelihoods. By establishing eco-tourism initiatives rooted in community values, the region has transformed into a destination that encourages community involvement and enables visitors to engage deeply with the Sundarbans’ ecological and cultural marvels for extended durations.

Moreover, the communities serve as a hub for unique encounters, educational interactions, and cultural immersion, fostering a profound bond between the community and the natural environment. This community-based tourism concept actively promotes rural advancement and biodiversity conservation, offering guests various programs to rejuvenate the ecosystem. For instance, visitors can aid in ecosystem conservation by purchasing local artworks or engaging in a tree-planting initiative to cultivate mangroves around the EcoVillages.

These endeavors not only empower travelers to diminish their carbon footprint but also yield a positive impact in combating climate change, including mitigating global warming.

Conclusion: The Crucial Role of Tourism in Combating Climate Change

This picture is the Spotted deer in Sundarbans national park in Bangladesh — Spotted deer in the Sundarbans (Photo Credit: nicolasdecorte, istock)

In conclusion, the tourism sector holds significant potential in the fight against climate change. By emphasizing sustainable travel, reducing carbon footprints, backing local economies, and fostering environmental awareness, tourism enterprises actively contribute to environmental protection and climate change mitigation.

Also, tourism plays a pivotal role in climate change mitigation by bolstering local economies, preserving ecosystems, advocating environmental education, and endorsing sustainable tourism practices. The tourism industry can effectively combat climate change by championing positive environmental impacts while fostering community and environmental well-being.

Nonetheless, the sustainable future of tourism hinges on a collaborative effort between travelers and industry stakeholders. By opting for eco-friendly accommodations, embracing low-impact transportation, and making sustainable travel decisions, individuals can aid in building resilient destinations. Prioritizing community welfare and minimizing carbon emissions are crucial to achieving sustainable development goals.

The dynamic tourism landscape necessitates a transition towards responsible and environmentally conscious travel practices. Embracing sustainability, fortifying destination resilience, and enriching traveler education are key elements in safeguarding the future of the tourism sector. Today’s decisions will shape tomorrow’s travel experiences as we confront the challenges of climate change.

By comprehending the intricate interplay between climate change and tourism, we envision a future where exploration and conservation coexist, fostering widespread appreciation for the Earth’s natural wonders.

We must all work together to protect the future of our planet.

Climate Change and Tourism: How Destinations Are Responding to the Climate Crisis (Part 2)

Written by Shivya Nath on July 22, 2022. Posted in Blog, Uncategorized.

In part one of this series, we discussed how tourism and climate change are inextricably linked. Nature-based tourism is becoming increasingly vulnerable to changing weather patterns, while the nature of tourism itself contributes 8% of global emissions. The landmark Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism – launched at COP26 – urged destinations and the tourism industry to reduce carbon emissions by 50% before 2030, and reach Net Zero as soon as possible by 2050. Solimar Internationa’s recent white paper publication echoed this commitment, designing Five Principles for tourism businesses to invest in Nature-based Solutions to respond to the causes and consequences of climate change (see photo). In addition to a mitigation pathway of measuring and reducing emissions, it is imperative for governments and businesses to simultaneously invest in climate change adaptation – using tourism as a means to build, finance and sustain climate resilient destinations.

Five Principles for Effective Nature-based Solutions in Tourism from Solimar International’s report Climate Action through Regeneration: Unlocking the Power of Communities and Nature through Tourism

The World Economic Forum (2020) estimated that over half of global GDP, US $44 trillion, is potentially threatened by loss of nature and biodiversity, while the transition to a nature-positive economy could create 395 million jobs by 2030, or around one fifth of the total projected increase in global labor force (World Economic Forum, 2020). Global investments in NbS already surpassed US $133 billion in 2020—only 14% of which came from private finance (UNEP, 2021a; UNEP and IUCN, 2021). The UN State of Finance for Nature report 2021 argues this investment must triple by 2030 if we are to meet global climate and biodiversity goals.

The second in this article series showcases how we can increase investment in nature in destinations around the world–including those that we support through our international development projects–to respond to the consequences of climate change by investing in actions that will protect and restore nature and communities.

The Sundarbans Reserve Forest – Bangladesh

The Sundarbans Reserved Forest in Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest on Earth, home to the Bengali tiger and hundreds of bird, fish, mammal, and reptile species. Spanning three wildlife sanctuaries across 317,950 hectares, including Ramsar and World Heritage Sites, the Sundarbans provides sustainable livelihoods for millions of people and act as a shelter belt to protect communities from storms, cyclones, tidal surges, and seawater intrusion.

The Sundarbans Reserve Forest in Bangladesh. Photo by Chloe King

A total of 7.79 million people live in the Sundarbans Impact Zone, with about 28 percent of people from this zone directly dependent on the Sundarbans for their livelihoods, including as woodcutters, fishermen, and gatherers of honey, leaves, and grass. However, according to a recent study, Bangladesh lost 73 percent of mangrove forest cover since the 1960s, with only 11 percent of the country remaining forested (Bangladesh Forest Inventory). Nearly 2.5 million people depend upon the SRF for their livelihoods (Gopal and Chauhan, 2018), and the mangrove forest naturally shields millions from increasingly erratic weather events, such as Cyclone Amphan that hit the coast in 2020, the most powerful to strike Bangladesh in 20 years (AlJazeera, 2020). Unsustainable development, such as the Ramsar Coal Fired Power Plant, under construction only 4km away from the buffer zone of the SRF may provide jobs, but ultimately risk undermining the natural climate protection the SRF offers (Chowdhury, 2017).

USAID/Bangladesh, in partnership with the Bangladesh Ecotourism and Conservation Alliance (BECA) implemented by Solimar International and the Government of Bangladesh, is currently focusing on interventions in and this iconic tourism destination and arguably most important protected area. By ensuring that tourism develops sustainably and is better distributed to local communities, this project hopes to reduce pressure on natural resource extraction, while also deterring environmentally destructive industries from developing around the periphery of the reserve. The communities living around the periphery of the last great mangrove forest cannot afford to lose the living lungs of the Earth. Without nature and wildlife, humanity can neither address the climate crisis as a whole, nor save those who are most vulnerable to its consequences.

Climate Change Adaptation in the Maldives and Sri Lanka

Climate risks in the Maldives and Sri Lanka are growing in frequency and intensity. Sea level rise, coastal storm surges, and flooding pose a significant threat to the Maldives, where more than 80% of the land area is less than one meter above sea level. Flooding and drought in Sri Lanka are among many of the consequences of climate change that negatively impact the most important elements of Sri Lanka’s economy. For these reasons, both countries have policy frameworks in place that identify climate change risks and prioritize adaptation strategies.

The USAID Climate Adaptation Project (CAP) is a five-year project in the Maldives and Sri Lanka where its purpose is to enhance the adaptive capacities of the public and private sectors and local communities to respond to the impact of climate change. The first year of the activity (2022) is focused on the Maldives, and Solimar International is leading the private sector engagement for the project. CAP will help identify and scale up solutions to climate-related challenges, strengthen governance to address climate-related risks, and improve access to high-quality information for decision-making to reduce vulnerability to climate change. Solimar will support this work by identifying innovative solutions to adaptively manage climate-related risk through market-driven private sector and community engagement.

Tourism operators in the Maldives have the unique ability to take advantage of increased interest in and funding for Nature-based Solutions for climate mitigation, while simultaneously utilizing these same solutions to respond to societal challenges and help their respective destinations adapt to the realities of climate change. Tourism can play an important role in helping communities adapt to this new reality and build resilience to future risks. For example, many of the resorts and tourism businesses in the Maldives are already investing in coral reef restoration through organizations such as Reefscapers. However, interviews with businesses revealed that this restoration work is not being done in a consistent or effective manner, with lack of national policy guidelines for tourism operators.

Coral reef ecosystems in the Maldives are threatened by climate change and coastal tourism development. A more sustainable industry can help to mitigate both of these threats. Photo by Chloe King

An example of nature based solutions include mangrove tourism projects. On the Maldives’ Huvadhoo Atoll, mangroves were covered with sand to reduce mosquito populations; however, flooding also increased as a result. Local communities pushed for restoration and the construction of eco-huts which linked tourism and mangrove restoration. Solimar is exploring opportunities for destination management at other mangrove sites in the Maldives, linking mangrove ecotourism to support conservation. These models of nature based solutions can be further explored to link tourism and climate change adaptation.

Another opportunity for tourism to be involved in climate adaptation includes creating structures that protect and nourish sand and shorelines in ways that are nature-based and nature-positive. For example, living sea walls can be created as a blend of hard engineering seawall solutions that foster growth in coral and other marine life. This could offer an opportunity to resorts in the Maldives that are looking to invest in sea walls to create more environmentally-friendly and adaptive solutions.

Are you a tourism business or destination with innovative ideas for climate adaptation? Are you financing nature restoration or protection in new or exciting ways? Take our survey here for a chance to be a featured business in an upcoming white paper publication: https://tinyurl.com/enterprise-nbs-survey

By Shivya Nath, Alexandria Kleinschmidt, Annie Combs, and Chloe King

Climate Change and Tourism: How Destinations Are Responding to the Climate Crisis (Part 1)

Written by Alexandria Kleinschmidt on July 22, 2022. Posted in Blog, Uncategorized.

Climate change is slowly becoming the subject of dinner table conversations in tourism destinations around the world – both for those who live in these destinations, and for those who visit them. Rising global temperatures and increasingly erratic weather patterns are making tourism offerings, especially those that involve the outdoors, highly unpredictable. From increased coral bleaching events in island nations to reduced snow in ski resorts, the tourism industry – and the livelihoods it supports – faces grave threats from the impact of climate change. On the other hand, tourism itself accounted for 8% of global carbon emissions in 2013, confirming that the industry contributes significantly to anthropogenic climate change, primarily through transport, shopping and food. In a climate-ravaged world that is economically-dependent on tourism, building resilient destinations is imperative.

Solimar Internationa’s recent white paper publication, “Climate Action through Regeneration: Unlocking the Power of Communities and Nature through Tourism”, showcased how tourism businesses are responding to the climate and biodiversity crises by regenerating destinations through investments in nature, catalyzing local solutions for both climate change mitigation and adaptation. After working in over 300 destinations globally to support sustainable development through tourism, we have witnessed the power that the tourism industry has to respond to climate change and help their communities adapt to its inevitable consequences. Read on to learn more about what destinations are doing to respond to the climate crisis.

What is the difference between climate change adaptation and mitigation? Can tourism respond to both?

Sustainable tourism should approach climate change from two perspectives: mitigation and adaptation. Put another way, this means responding to both the causes and the consequences of climate change. Mitigation includes initiatives that prevent and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, which are a major contributor to climate change. Generally, tourism businesses approach mitigation by reducing energy use or increasing energy efficiency. They may also purchase carbon offsets (which essentially pay another company to remove carbon to compensate for their own emissions) or use renewable energy sources. Solimar International’s current USAID Climate Adaptation Project in the Maldives is assisting businesses identify innovative investment opportunities for responding to climate change–from enhancing resilience of energy and water sources to regenerating hyper-resilient coral reefs.

The tourism industry continues to contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Particularly in far away destinations like the Maldives, air travel is a significant contributor to carbon emissions in the tourism industry. Due to the difficult nature of removing carbon emissions, achieving Net Zero is an extremely difficult task. However, in the Maldives, businesses like Soneva Resorts employ a particularly successful mitigation strategy that focuses on both direct and indirect carbon emissions. Direct emissions, such as energy usage and indirect emissions, including guest air travel, are reduced using rigorously vetted carbon offset programs.

Despite mitigation attempts, the effects of climate change will require adaptation measures for the tourism industry, especially in SIDS (Small Island Developing States). These measures include actions which anticipate and respond to the consequences of climate change. Adaptation measures can include: limiting non-climate related stressors on fragile ecosystems through management plans, construction of hard engineering solutions such as sea walls to protect coastal infrastructure, and regeneration or conservation of degraded ecosystems. The Maldives again provides a great example, possessing a large amount of fragile mangrove forests and seagrass meadow ecosystems that provide a variety of benefits including shoreline protection, preventing coastal erosion, and are, of course, a valuable attraction for tourism businesses.

Instituting management plans and encouraging tourism businesses to protect these ecosystems can also be part of an adaptation strategy. Tourism enterprises in SIDS have used coral reef management and restoration to adapt to climate change, because coral is an incredibly valuable tourist attraction–and crucial for coastal defense. There have been a variety of projects and companies working on innovative coral restoration approaches, including a company called Reefscapers that partners with resorts to implement management and restoration plans. In Grand Bahama, Coral Vita, applies assisted evolution to grow corals with improved resilience to higher water temperatures and acidity. Despite adaptation measures, tourism in SIDS faces an existential crisis related to sea level rise.

The importance of Nature-based Solutions in responding to climate change

As highlighted in Solimar’s recent white paper, tourism businesses cannot respond to the climate and biodiversity crisis without protecting and restoring nature. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are defined as actions that protect, sustainably manage, and restore nature while simultaneously addressing societal challenges— such as unemployment, hunger, drought, poverty, or affordable housing. The concept of NbS is rooted in climate change mitigation and adaptation and has grown in recognition over the past decade, embraced as an essential framework by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which created the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions to guide practical implementation.

NbS play a vital role in both greenhouse gas emissions reduction and climate change adaptation. Recent research suggests that by 2030, NbS could contribute 30-37% of the cost-effective mitigation required to limit warming to below 2°C. Global investments in NbS surpassed US $133 billion in 2020–and the United Nations Environment Program predicts that this number must triple over the next two decades. Ideally, NbS are used to protect, manage, and restore ecosystems that already exist and, if well-designed and implemented, can deliver multiple synergistic climate benefits. Although 66% of country signatories to the Paris Climate Agreement mention NbS as part of their strategy, just seventeen have recognized the combined mitigation and adaptative power of NbS. We are just beginning to realize how focused management of NbS could result in powerful multiplier effects related to climate resilience.

Examples of Nature-based Solutions
Solutions that Protect Ecosystems	Solutions that Manage Ecosystems	Solutions that Restore Ecosystems
Avoided Forest Conversion	Natural Forest Management	Reforestation
Avoided Peatland Impacts	Agroforestry	Coastal Wetland Restoration
Avoided Degradation of Coastal Wetlands	Regenerative Agriculture	Peatland Restoration

COP26 outcomes and their relevance to tourism

COP26 outcomes will impact the tourism industry, especially in relation to climate change. At COP26, there was a push to remain on track for 1.5 C of global warming. All countries were requested to update their NDCs (nationally determined contributions), or plans for emission reduction, in order to stay on track to meet this goal. Mitigation actions such as these are vital to the prevention of catastrophic effects of climate change and sea level rise that affect tourism infrastructure.

COP26 also opened the door for blue carbon projects. Blue carbon is carbon that is stored in marine ecosystems such as mangroves and seagrass beds. These ecosystems are being lost at unprecedented rates globally, so conserving and restoring them prevents and offsets carbon emissions while providing important adaptation services. These ecosystems provide services and attractions that are valuable resources for the tourism industry. They act as a nursery for reef fish, maintain water quality, contribute to shoreline stability, buffer ocean acidification, and protect coastal infrastructure from storms and floods. Businesses like Iberostar, through their Wave of Change Campaign, have committed to protecting and restoring these ecosystems in the destinations where they operate, enabling guests to even offset their emissions through local restoration projects.

Blue carbon initiatives provide an opportunity for conservation, mitigation and tourism to work together. Blue carbon conservation and restoration strategies offer tourism businesses the opportunity to preserve and replenish natural resources that attract tourists. In the Maldives, a campaign pioneered by Six Senses Laamu is working to protect seagrass meadows in the Maldives and increase commitments from other resorts to protect and restore their seagrass ecosystems. Mangrove tourism is also on the rise globally; increased visitation to mangrove forests can help demonstrate their importance to local communities and industries, ensuring their long-term preservation.

COP26 also saw an increase in finance for climate adaptation. Countries recommitted to a pledge of $100 billion per year for mitigation and adaptation costs. Most funding was previously for mitigation, but now $40 billion of it will be used to support adaptation costs – especially in island nations, developing countries, and countries whose economies benefit greatly from tourism. This is an enormous opportunity for increasing critical investment in Nature-based Solutions in tourism destinations.

Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism

COP26 also introduced the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, a one page document that has over 300 signatories from the tourism industry including businesses, countries, tourism stakeholders, and destinations. Signatories acknowledged the role of the tourism sector in increasing carbon emissions and agreed to develop plans to halve their carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and to transition to net zero by 2050.

COP26 includes five pathways to promote climate action. Currently, work is focused on measuring and decarbonizing. A working group in November will focus on regeneration, which offers opportunities for the involvement of regenerative tourism practices. A future that remains safe from the harmful effects of climate change depends on the introduction of innovative practices like blue carbon and regenerative tourism programs. COP26’s negotiations offer hope that the world’s leaders are committed to solving the world’s environmental problems together to make the planet a greener place, one step at a time.

Check out Part 2 in this blog series, which highlights specific approaches that destinations and businesses are taking to mitigate climate change and adapt to a changing world. If you are a business driving innovation in this sector, be sure to take our survey here for a chance to be a featured business in an upcoming white paper publication: https://tinyurl.com/enterprise-nbs-survey

Blog by Shivya Nath, Alexandria Kleinschmidt, Chloe King, and Annie Combs

WE DEVELOP, MANAGE, AND MARKET SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DESTINATIONS

Tag: climate change