The Carbon Neutral Activities - Research Paper Example

? Field Trip Report Field Trip Report Sustainable tourism can be defined as tourism that makes a conscious attempt to imp-act lowlyon the local culture and the environment, while at the same time helping to create employment for the local population in the future. Its main objective is the creation of a positive experience from the development of tourism for the tourists, the tourist companies, and the local people. Economists forecast between 3 and 6% growth in tourism annually in the world. This expected growth is projected to place a great deal of stress on the indigenous cultures and diverse habitats. Tourists and tourism companies have began to seek more sustainable tourism activities, with one of the key areas being carbon neutrality. Carbon neutrality was introduced for the first time in the climate change context. The industry contributes approximately 6% of emissions of CO2 globally, with 94% being from travel by air. Carbon neutrality’s implication is carbon emission balancing via offsetting of the carbon footprint of a destination. This mainly involves investing in renewable sources of energy and also investing in forestry. It is achieved when a tourist, company, or destination manages to neutralize the emission of carbon from travel and high carbon emitting facilities like electricity generators. This paper aims to report on the carbon neutral activities that support the move towards sustainable development in tourism via the use of indicators specific to carbon neutrality. Introduction In the sustainable tourism context, indicators are sets of information that are chosen in order to make regular measurements of changes in issues and assets which are vital for development of tourism, as well as a destination’s management (Ball, 2009 p101). The use of indicators for sustainable tourism has been promoted by UNWTO since the beginning of the 1990s, and has been vaunted as an essential instrument for various tourist destinations in management processes and policy-making planning. In 2004, UNWTO published the Guidebook on indicators of Sustainable Development for Tourist Destinations, which rates as the topic’s most comprehensive source. It was a result of a study on worldwide indicator initiatives and included experts from over twenty five countries. The publication is descriptive of more than forty issues concerning sustainability, which range from natural resource management to control of development, tourist and host community satisfaction, cultural heritage preservation, climate change, economic leakages, seasonality, among others (Ball, 2009 p109). Each issue is listed with management techniques and indicators suggested along with examples and practical sources of information. The publication is also inclusive of how to develop indicators that are destination specific. The tourism industry responded to the issue of climate change in a two fold manner (Association, 2008 p34). These are mitigation and adaptation. In the past, the industry had taken steps to deal with climate change based on service provider activities. The transport operators, both rail and air, tried to cut down CO2 emissions, while facilities for accommodation made an attempt to regulate and control emission. In recent times, however, there has been a push for the realization of a future with low-carbon. The tourist destinations aim to achieve tourism that is sustainable. This is referred to as destinations that are carbon neutral. In July 2009, Caribbean countries revealed their plan to become the world’s first carbon-neutral destination, citing tourist resource vulnerability assessment, as well as evaluation of tourism’s impact on the environment. This marketing plan does not aim at increasing tourist numbers, but rather their consumption, leading to increased travel quality. UNWTO has set an average tourist consumption of approximately 50%. Carbon neutrality can be defined as the process through which emissions are calculated via a transparent process, reduced and residual emissions offset so that net emissions of carbon are equal to zero (Bayon et al, 2009 p78). Indicators for carbon Neutrality: Issue Indicators Source Environment (carbon neutrality). Emissions from air travel Data from The Australian bureau of statistics site. Emissions from land based travel Data from tourist travel agencies. Emissions from electrical consumption Data from Perth zoo administration Emissions from paper consumption Data from Perth zoo administration Emissions by renewable sources of energy Data from Perth zoo administration. Water management Data from the Perth zoo administration This report aims to report on a field trip to Perth Zoo to investigate its carbon neutral status using then set indicators. The indicators were realised by acquisition of various data from their relevant sources. Method Perth Zoo is located in Perth, Western Australia and was opened in 1898 (Bishop, 2008 p89). It lies on forty one acres of land, with a population of 1258 animals, consisting of 164 species. The zoo has an annual visitor turnover of approximately +600,000. It is a member of the Zoo and Aquarium association as well as the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (Bishop, 2008 p89). The zoo consists of 3 main zones. These are the African Savannah, Asian Rainforest, and Australian Walkabout (Frost, 2010 p90). These are designed to imitate the natural habitats of the resident animals. The Australian walkabout consists of aviaries, Australian bushwalks, reptile encounter, Penguin plunge, and nocturnal house. Animals in these zones include the black swan, estuarine crocodile, and Australian shell duck in the Australian wetlands, bridled terns and penguins in the penguin plunge, perenties, olive pythons and dugites in the reptile encounter, ghost bats, water rats, and redback spiders in the nocturnal house, and red kangaroos in the Australian bushwalk. The African savannah consists of barred cages and is home to African lions, cheetahs, Meerkats, spotted hyenas, and radiated tortoises, which are viewed from a path simulating a dry savannah riverbed (Frost, 2010 p91). The Asian rainforest houses several threatened species from Asia including silvery gibbons, sun bears, red pandas, and Asian elephants. Other minor zones in the zoo are the main lake and heritage trail. The zoo also includes lupin fields, palms, palms, and rose gardens, as well as growing animal feeds like mirror plant, Fijian fire plant, bamboo, and hibiscus. To investigate the various indicators, the study used informal interviews, analysis of documents pertaining to the indicators available at the office front desk, online studies on the zoo’s carbon neutrality activities, and direct observation. The first indicator investigated was the emission from land travel. Information was gathered from the front desk, where Perth Private Tours Company answered the questions given to them in form of an oral interview, later entered in a questionnaire. Next, the emissions from paper consumption were investigated by seeking information from the customer information desk on the amount and kind of paper used in the zoo. The type of paper was important in order to know whether it was recyclable or had to be disposed of which would raise emissions. Next, the emissions from electrical consumption were investigated. This was done via direct observation of the sources of electricity for running the various facilities in the zoo. The study investigated power from external sources; fossil fuel generated electricity, as well as sources from renewable sources like solar power. The management of water at the zoo was important with regards to carbon neutrality because some of the water was pumped from boreholes using fossil fuel generators. Meter readings of water discharged into the sewers were thus taken and recorded. Measurement was done using readings from the water magnetic meter and comparing it with data available from the Zoo’s administrative office. Finally, after the field trip, emissions from air travel by tourists visiting Perth was investigated from the Australian Bureau of statistics site. Results The Zoo has improved its energy conservation performance tremendously over the last five years (Conrady, 2011 p5). The first stage of the solar power project was recently competed, with the installation of 303 panels which have been installed right across the 8 buildings in the zoo. Each of the panels is rated 90.9 kW, with all the panels generating 120,000 kW annually. The project was initiated by the commonwealth and state governments with an aim of achieving carbon neutrality. Energy consumption reduced across the zoo in the 2010-2011 season for the third year running, for both electricity and gas (Conrady, 2011 p5). The project assisted in electricity use reduction from 2,707,660 kW in the season 2008-2009 to 2,532,052 kW in the season 2010-2011. (Retrieved from: www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/about-us/annual-report/) (Retrieved from: www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/about-us/annual-report/) The Perth Zoo was granted $11.9 million over a period of six years for replacement of the old water infrastructure (Dauncey, 2009 p111). This is aimed at reducing use of water and increasing its recycling before it has to be discarded. The Zoo has managed to reduce its use of borehole water to 300,470 cubic meters for the season 2010-2011, down from 360,260 M3 for the season 2006-2007. The zoo has also managed to cut 1,135 kL of scheme water use in 2010-2011. Bore Water Extraction 2006-07 360,260 Cubic meters 2007-08 353,460 Cubic meters 2008-09 335,887 Cubic meters 2009-10 299,059 Cubic meters 2010- 11 300,470 Cubic Meters (Retrieved from: www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/about-us/annual-report/) (Retrieved from: www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/about-us/annual-report/) Discussion While carbon neutrality is a fairly controversial system, most tourist destinations, including Perth zoo, are buying credits in order to offset their footprints, all the while using expertise gathered to strengthen offset standards (Kennedy, 2011 p65). This consists of a mixed credits portfolio from regional and local sources for the offsetting of this footprint. Most companies working toward carbon neutrality are promoting participates and credible certification for offsets in the C market, so as to comprehend its working and improve its efficiency. The quality of the offsets is dependent on the project quality that created the offsets (Kennedy, 2011 p65). There are several categories in which tourist destinations can ensure that their offsets are of good quality and veracity. Tourist destinations are encouraged to consider the offset project types that they prefer to support in order to achieve carbon neutrality. Below are some globally recognized forms of accreditation: Project Type Emission reduction means Comments Capture of Greenhouse Gases Via the capture of greenhouse gases from carbon fuels such as Hydro-flouro Carbons emitted by electricity generators or even Methane from the flower farms and fodder farms, these projects aid in the limitation of the harmful effects of Greenhouse Gases. Anaerobic digesters can be utilized to convert patties from the animals into energy, with the methane that is captured from the farms being used fro the generation of electricity. Biological Sequestration Reforestation and afforestation projects have been proven to absorb excess CO2. Avoidance of deforestation and agriculture that avoids tilling will prevent carbon release into the atmosphere. A forest that is healthy will sequester, per acre, approximately 2.5 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide, with each tree capable of filtering approximately sixty pounds of various pollutants annually from the air. Renewable Energy Via the displacement of fossil fuel demands, investments in renewable and clean energy for example solar and wind power have reduced emissions. Investment in these technologies for underdeveloped areas, such as those that surround most zoos, including Perth Zoo, may aid in the promotion of direct leapfrogging towards clean energy and technology. Energy Efficiency Via the substitution of more efficient forms of technology that have reduced energy requirements for the status quo, these projects act to reduce emissions. Most providers prefer to deal in these projects since they are not difficult to quantify. The program for carbon neutrality started in Australia on July the 1st 2010 as a voluntary scheme which acts to certify business operations, including zoos, and tourism products as carbon neutral (Subhadra, 2011 p198). The program uses the National Carbon Offset Standard to certify the tourism products carbon neutral. The federal government has provided more than $75 million for the establishment of the Carbon Trust that will further supporting various enterprises, including tourist destinations, to attain energy efficiency and achieve carbon neutrality. There are 2 initiatives that are vital and will be managed by this trust (Subhadra, 2011 p198). The first is the Energy Efficiency trust that will act to provide tools and information for an active participation in Australia’s response to climate change, as well as the National Carbon Offset standard Carbon Neutral Plan. The trust sought, on its initiation, the expression of interest from organizations and enterprises to co-join in strategic relationships for the delivery of energy efficiency. Conclusion and Recommendations In recent times, carbon neutrality has acquired widespread recognition. This term has gained more recognition as various companies, including the tourist destinations, attempt to prove their credentials in carbon and environmental management. The market has also increased for products that are related to carbon neutrality. Carbon neutrality’s effectiveness can be investigated by the use of indicators. For this report, the indicators used had to do with carbon emissions measurements that cause climate change. Carbon neutrality aims to reduce climate change, thus its main indicators will have to do with reduction of carbon emissions. These indicators investigated included those from energy generation, water pumping, and travel. It was found that while the Zoo is on its way to achieving carbon neutrality, it is still some way off, especially with regards to water pumping from boreholes. The solar power project was, however, a great success. The method used to conduct the study was participant observation, and had several weaknesses. First, emissions from travel by air was not directly calculable from the data on visitors in the zoo on that day, neither could emissions via road travel be calculable on a single visit. This can be rectified by using annual data, which was not readily available. In future, the study should be done over a period of time in order to get more reliable data. References Association A. (2008). EM: Air & Waste Management Association's magazine for environmental managers, Issues 1-6. Air & Waste Management Association's magazine, 120-126. Ball A I. M. (2009). The Carbon Neutral Public Sector. Public Management, 28-29. Bayon R. H, Hamilton K. (2009). 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