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A Guide to Sustainable
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A Guide to Sustainable
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Prepared by the Local Sustainability Group
for the South West (2000)
"Sustainable tourism is an approach by which the needs and interests of the visitor and the host community are both met without compromising the environment - either now or for the future. Long-term prosperity in the tourism industry involves recognising its interdependence with the environment."
The Local Sustainability Group for the South West (LSGSW) has produced a discussion paper to help encourage movement towards sustainable development in the region. It is a reminder of what sustainable tourism actually entails, and it makes some practical suggestions of how we can all work towards it. As such the Local Sustainability Group for the South West hopes it will be useful for a range of regional agencies, statutory and voluntary bodies, trade organisations and local authorities. The Local Sustainability Group for the South West is a group representing Local Agenda 21 contacts aiming to promote sustainable development and influence decision makers in the region.
To serve as a sustainable tourism guide set out below is a summary of some of the key points emerging from the paper and a checklist to help those considering proposals for the development of new or existing tourism projects to assess how projects reflect the principles of sustainability.
The Main Messages
The Tourism industry in the South West is almost entirely dependent on the high quality of the region's natural and built environment, and will continue to be so.
Tourism is such an important component of the region's activity and economy (about 10% of GDP) that if we are to move towards a more sustainable society (government policy), then an urgent start needs to be made on promoting more sustainable tourism. While the region has been in the forefront of pilot projects, most of the tourism industry here has not yet engaged with the concept of sustainable tourism.
The existing industry is largely the product of gradual development over many years. An agreed strategic approach to tourism development in each area (city, county, or district) would help to shape the industry in ways which safeguard the environment on which it depends and which are acceptable to people living in the area. This could take the form of a written statement or report agreed by various partners, following a process of negotiation.
To co-ordinate the strategic approach to an area, help promote the use of audit checklists and accreditation, and encourage individual tourism businesses to minimise their environmental impact, we recommend the appointment of Sustainable Tourism Officers.
Some estimates indicate that if present trends continue the industry could grow by 80% over the next 20 years. New proposals for tourism development should be assessed against sustainability criteria if they require planning consent, or are seeking grant aid from government agencies or other bodies. Checklists are proposed as a simple and effective way of testing whether proposals are genuinely compatible with sustainability.
The use of sustainability checklists for tourism projects
The majority of new tourism developments need planning consent. Planning applications have to be judged against existing planning policy (national and local), but there are opportunities for local authorities to influence proposals through negotiation, to secure sustainability benefits. This is because most significant applications involve some discussion prior to being considered by a council planning committee. A simple checklist could be used during negotiation, or when an application is received.
We recommend that a Sustainability Checklist be used by planning staff to give a quick indication of how any particular proposal matches up against sustainability criteria – see example set out below . Various local planning authorities in the region are now using Sustainability Checklists to help them to reach informed decisions.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PROJECT CHECKLIST 10 Key elements: If answers are mainly "Yes" the proposal is likely to contribute towards sustainable tourism. Note: Sufficient enquiries should be made to reduce the number of "don't know" answers. 1. LOCAL OPINION Have local people likely to be affected and interest groups been consulted and, if so, are they generally supportive of the proposals? 2. 'COSTS' Have measures been proposed to remove or minimise the environmental costs to the community (e.g. traffic, air, noise, light pollution)? 3. 'BENEFITS' Will the economic benefits of the scheme spread into the local community beyond just employment? (e.g. using local goods, services and suppliers). 4. TRANSPORT Will visitors be able to travel to the site easily without a car, and, if so, will they be encouraged to do so? 5. ACCESS Can people with disabilities access and use the site and facilities easily? 6. RESOURCE USE Have measures been proposed to minimise use of fossil fuels, electricity, water and land in the development? 7. WASTE Have measures been proposed to minimise waste and to provide for recycling and reuse of materials? 8. LOCAL ENVIRONMENT Do the proposals safeguard the local built and natural environment, including local character? 9. WILDLIFE Will wildlife interests be safeguarded and/or enhanced? 10. QUALITY Will the quality of the visit/stay be given greater priority than visitor numbers? |
A Further Checklist: If answers are mainly "Yes", the development proposal is likely to contribute to sustainability. Mainly "No" responses suggest the proposal will conflict with sustainability principles:- Land, Buildings, Resources and Waste: 1. Is the proposal on a 'brownfield' (previously used) site or in vacant building(s)? 2. Does the proposal minimise use of land, energy, water, minerals, materials? (e.g.is it high density; does it incorporate energy/water saving devices - 'grey' water use, water butts; is it orientated to sunlight; re-use bricks/other materials?) 3. Are any buildings designed for a long life-span or allow alternative future use? 4. Have any opportunities been taken to incorporate the use of renewable energy sources? (wind, hydro, solar, CHP) Natural Environment - Landscape and Wildlife: 5. Are wildlife habitats protected? (e.g.designated sites, woods, hedges, wetlands) 6. Will the proposal increase broad-leaved tree and hedge cover? ('CO2 fixing') 7. Does the proposal safeguard landscape quality and retain open countryside? Pollution: 8. Is the quality of water safeguarded? (ground, surface and drinking water) 9. Will the proposal reduce derelict or contaminated land? 10. Is Air, Noise or Light Pollution from the proposal prevented (or minimised)? Transport and Access: 11. Will it reduce the number of car or lorry journeys? (e.g. through mixed use)? 12. Is it accessible to all modes of transport? (incl. walking, cycling, public transport)? 13. Is access available for all people? (incl. elderly and those with disabilities)? Community Safety: 14. Is public safety and security from crime or anti-social behaviour allowed for? Economy and Work: 15. Does the proposal increase employment opportunities for local people? Local needs: 16. Does it help to meet housing needs, especially for disadvantaged? (e.g.low cost) 17. Does it help to meet other local needs? (e.g. shop, post office, youth club) Quality, Local Distinctiveness and Diversity: 18. Is a high quality of building design and materials incorporated? 19. Does it protect and enhance local heritage, diversity and distinctiveness? 20. Does it assist participation in and access to arts, culture and heritage? |
LSGSW, 2000