The document discusses the ecolodge marketplace. It finds that the ecolodge market is expected to grow 10% annually due to increasing ecotourism. The key market is Americans, but ecotourists also come from Europe, Canada, Australia and elsewhere. They tend to be educated professionals with moderate to high incomes. Half travel independently while half take tours, with Europeans more likely to travel independently. Ecotourists seek authentic natural and cultural experiences in accommodations like ecolodges that emphasize conservation, community benefits, and education.
By 2050, it is estimated that the Earth’s population will top 9 billion. This growing
population will undeniably stress our food systems, natural resources, and ecosystems.
But consider this: Currently, we waste up to 40 percent of our food globally. In the United
States, this equals roughly 400 pounds annually for every American. Meanwhile, one in
seven Americans are food insecure.
These stunning facts—partnered with seeing waste occur firsthand through our work
with our operating farm and the restaurants and grocery stores it services—really
brought this issue home for us. This prompted us as philanthropists and a family
concerned about healthy communities and ecological sustainability to ask our team to
explore the topic of wasted food.
Through our family foundation, we have been focused on solving large-scale
environmental issues with market-based solutions since 2001. We started by looking at
how funding solutions to climate change, both through grants and impact investments,
can play an important role in transitioning our society to a low-carbon economy.
This briefing paper has been prepared for the World Ocean Summit 2015, to share the initial findings of two upcoming white papers on the “State of the blue economy” and “Investing in the blue economy”, sponsored by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, which will be published following the World Ocean Summit.
World bank climate change energy financing report. Lecturas recomendadas. Lu...Ecologistas en Accion
This document provides a summary of 7 case studies that examine the World Bank Group's involvement in climate and energy projects around the globe. The case studies highlight issues such as the Bank increasing its lending to fossil fuel projects by 400% from 2006-2010; its support for large-scale energy infrastructure projects that do not effectively alleviate poverty or transition countries to low-carbon economies; its evasion of social and environmental safeguards by shifting funding away from direct project lending; and examples of Bank-backed projects that have led to serious social and environmental harms despite supposed safeguards. The document aims to challenge the Bank's rhetoric on sustainability and poverty reduction by examining real-world impacts of its climate and energy financing.
Just as cities are hubs for innovations and investments that expand opportunities, they are also living laboratories forced to confront challenges of increasing complexity. What, and who, makes a city resilient—and not just livable in the short-term—has become an increasingly critical question, one we set out to answer in late 2012 with our partners at Arup through the creation of a City Resilience Index.
This document discusses bridging organizations and adaptive governance. It begins by outlining the topics to be covered, including the context of social-ecological systems for bridging organizations. It then discusses how bridging organizations can help address the degradation of ecosystem services by connecting different groups. However, there are also limitations to collaboration within bridging organizations and adaptive governance approaches. The document advocates for viewing social and ecological systems as interdependent and embracing complexity and cross-scale interactions when addressing sustainability challenges.
The Conservation Alliance was founded in 1989 by outdoor industry leaders like Patagonia and REI to direct funds from member companies to grassroots environmental organizations protecting wild lands. Since then, the Alliance has contributed nearly $13 million, helping conserve over 44 million acres. It currently has 185 member companies and distributes over $1.7 million annually to conservation groups. The Alliance is led by a board of directors from member companies and aims to grow its funding to further support efforts to protect areas for both wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation.
Impact of Green Finance on the Replacement of Fossil Fuels with Green Fuels –...ijtsrd
This document summarizes a research article about the impact of green finance on replacing fossil fuels with green fuels. It discusses how green finance can play an important role in this replacement by providing financial tools and products to support green investments. Some of the key actors in green finance are identified as banks, institutional investors, international financial institutions, and regulatory authorities. Challenges to green finance include a lack of standards, legal frameworks, and tools for assessing project risk. Debt-for-environment swap projects are discussed as one green finance product that provides opportunities for investment in green projects as an alternative to debt repayment. The document concludes that while debt-for-environment swaps take negotiation and carry risks, they can play a role in furthering
By 2050, it is estimated that the Earth’s population will top 9 billion. This growing
population will undeniably stress our food systems, natural resources, and ecosystems.
But consider this: Currently, we waste up to 40 percent of our food globally. In the United
States, this equals roughly 400 pounds annually for every American. Meanwhile, one in
seven Americans are food insecure.
These stunning facts—partnered with seeing waste occur firsthand through our work
with our operating farm and the restaurants and grocery stores it services—really
brought this issue home for us. This prompted us as philanthropists and a family
concerned about healthy communities and ecological sustainability to ask our team to
explore the topic of wasted food.
Through our family foundation, we have been focused on solving large-scale
environmental issues with market-based solutions since 2001. We started by looking at
how funding solutions to climate change, both through grants and impact investments,
can play an important role in transitioning our society to a low-carbon economy.
This briefing paper has been prepared for the World Ocean Summit 2015, to share the initial findings of two upcoming white papers on the “State of the blue economy” and “Investing in the blue economy”, sponsored by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, which will be published following the World Ocean Summit.
World bank climate change energy financing report. Lecturas recomendadas. Lu...Ecologistas en Accion
This document provides a summary of 7 case studies that examine the World Bank Group's involvement in climate and energy projects around the globe. The case studies highlight issues such as the Bank increasing its lending to fossil fuel projects by 400% from 2006-2010; its support for large-scale energy infrastructure projects that do not effectively alleviate poverty or transition countries to low-carbon economies; its evasion of social and environmental safeguards by shifting funding away from direct project lending; and examples of Bank-backed projects that have led to serious social and environmental harms despite supposed safeguards. The document aims to challenge the Bank's rhetoric on sustainability and poverty reduction by examining real-world impacts of its climate and energy financing.
Just as cities are hubs for innovations and investments that expand opportunities, they are also living laboratories forced to confront challenges of increasing complexity. What, and who, makes a city resilient—and not just livable in the short-term—has become an increasingly critical question, one we set out to answer in late 2012 with our partners at Arup through the creation of a City Resilience Index.
This document discusses bridging organizations and adaptive governance. It begins by outlining the topics to be covered, including the context of social-ecological systems for bridging organizations. It then discusses how bridging organizations can help address the degradation of ecosystem services by connecting different groups. However, there are also limitations to collaboration within bridging organizations and adaptive governance approaches. The document advocates for viewing social and ecological systems as interdependent and embracing complexity and cross-scale interactions when addressing sustainability challenges.
The Conservation Alliance was founded in 1989 by outdoor industry leaders like Patagonia and REI to direct funds from member companies to grassroots environmental organizations protecting wild lands. Since then, the Alliance has contributed nearly $13 million, helping conserve over 44 million acres. It currently has 185 member companies and distributes over $1.7 million annually to conservation groups. The Alliance is led by a board of directors from member companies and aims to grow its funding to further support efforts to protect areas for both wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation.
Impact of Green Finance on the Replacement of Fossil Fuels with Green Fuels –...ijtsrd
This document summarizes a research article about the impact of green finance on replacing fossil fuels with green fuels. It discusses how green finance can play an important role in this replacement by providing financial tools and products to support green investments. Some of the key actors in green finance are identified as banks, institutional investors, international financial institutions, and regulatory authorities. Challenges to green finance include a lack of standards, legal frameworks, and tools for assessing project risk. Debt-for-environment swap projects are discussed as one green finance product that provides opportunities for investment in green projects as an alternative to debt repayment. The document concludes that while debt-for-environment swaps take negotiation and carry risks, they can play a role in furthering
This paper describes how communities can contribute to the sustainability cause
1. Communities, communication and sustainability: what’s the purpose of this paper?
2. Online communities, why are they relevant?
3. How to communicate to achieve political goals?
4. What can politics learn from commercial communication?
5. What’s the proposed solution?
Powering Up: State Assets & Barriers to Renewable Energy GrowthThe Solar Foundation
This document provides an introduction to a report on renewable energy and economic development. It discusses the growth of renewable energy globally and in the US due to factors like climate change concerns, rising energy prices, and government policies/incentives. While federal energy policy in the US is uncertain, renewable energy development continues due to demand for energy, security, and job creation. The report aims to understand how states are leveraging renewable energy for economic gains through a survey of economic development leaders.
Intangible capital: Key factor of Sustainable development in MoroccoIJRTEMJOURNAL
Sustainable development and intangible capital are concepts that appear in government policy
action plans, and they have multiple ecological, economic, institutional and cultural challenges. Conscious of
the strategic importance of these processes, whose main idea is to create employment and added value while
ensuring respect for the environment, Morocco must meet the challenges posed by global warming, protection
of the environment and the exploitation of intangible capital. The unique challenge of national development and
economic growth lies in the improvement of Moroccan institutions and their governance, noting that World
Bank studies show that, sustainable and equitable development is essentially based on accumulation of
intangible assets, which have only human, social and institutional capital. In so far as it concerns almost all
dimensions and aspects of government policy, the twinning of sustainable development and intangible capital
involves a broad program of actions.
The document discusses frameworks for sustainable development. It addresses economic, social, environmental, and governance issues. Specifically, it examines three areas of focus: natural resource governance, urbanization and urban governance, and environmental governance. It emphasizes that democratic governance with inclusive institutions is indispensable for sustainable development by allowing for debate, accommodation of conflicting interests, and social consensus building. Key elements discussed include programmatic politics, evidence-based policymaking, and commitment to human development outcomes.
Willard Transitioning to Green Thought Leader Webinar, April 2011Linda Morris Kelley
The document discusses building support for sustainability initiatives within businesses. It outlines how sustainability has become a strategic priority for CEOs due to risks like climate change and expectations from stakeholders. Integrating sustainability can provide rewards like cost savings, revenue growth, and improved reputation. The document advocates an approach where sustainability is viewed as an enabling strategy rather than just another goal.
This document discusses globalization and its dimensions. It notes that while globalization promises greater interconnectedness, in reality it often exacerbates inequality and poverty between nations. Powerful countries and actors largely influence global decisions and policies in a way that maintains the historic unequal rules of trade. For example, structural adjustment policies imposed by the IMF and World Bank have increased poverty in many developing nations. Additionally, while foreign aid is promised, donor countries rarely meet their targets and the aid often comes with conditions that primarily benefit donor nations over recipients. As a result, a few nations and people grow wealthier while the majority struggle under globalization.
Culture plays an important role in sustainable development through various aspects. Different cultures have beliefs, practices, and knowledge that shape how people interact with nature and use environmental resources. Traditional ecological knowledge passed down over generations has often led to sustainable management of lands and resources. Cultural values, norms, and institutions also influence sustainability by governing resource use and access. For a sustainable future, it is important to understand and appreciate the diverse relationships between cultures and nature.
The City Resilience Framework provides a lens through which the complexity of cities and the drivers that contribute to a city’s resilience can be understood. The 12 capacities in the 100RC City Resilience Framework collectively determine its ability a city’s resilience to a wide range of shocks and stresses.
This document summarizes key points from the TEEB report on the business case for biodiversity and ecosystem services:
1. Biodiversity loss presents risks but also opportunities for business. The first step is for businesses to identify their impacts and dependencies on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
2. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the environment and favoring eco-certified goods, putting pressure on businesses to review their value chains.
3. Biodiversity provides valuable ecosystem services like water regulation and climate regulation that benefit businesses for free, but continued loss threatens these services.
The Challenges of Microfinance Institutions in Empowering Micro and Small Ent...Mercu Buana University
This study aims to examine the challenges of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in empowering micro and small entrepreneur to concern and care not only for the business growth but also the environmental sustainability in their surroundings. Indonesia as developing countries also faces the environmental degradation that contributes by micro and small entrepreneurs. Moreover MFIs have substantial relationships in term to preserve the environment because of the objectives are not only achieve the profit but also balancing with the social (people) and environment (planet) achievement and MFIs clients also micro and small entrepreneur who as the majority contributor of environment degradation in developing countries. The discussion of the paper is determined by three research questions (i) What’s the role of MFIs in preserving the environment? (ii) How the role of corporate governance in MFIs? (iii) How the implementation of corporate governance in MFIs in empowering micro to implementing green activity (Indonesia evidence)? In addition, to ensure the commitment of MFIs should exist corporate governance, which supervise the compliance with Act No.1 2013 related to the sustainability concern from MFIs because until now the impact of the act has not given the significant impact yet because of the importance is not only the existence of regulation but also the consciousness all stakeholders related to comply and implementing of green activity.
Outcome Statement & Recommendations- Responsible Business Forum 2014Rosie Helson
The document summarizes the proceedings and recommendations from the 3rd Responsible Business Forum on Sustainable Development held in Singapore in November 2014. Over 500 leaders from government, business, and civil society attended to discuss how to generate greater and more widely shared prosperity through sustainable development. Key recommendations included:
- Encourage knowledge sharing across industries and value chains on best practices for sustainability.
- Harmonize sustainability data standards and measurements to increase transparency.
- Establish sustainable procurement policies and educate future generations on these issues.
- Incentivize the adoption of innovative sustainable solutions through policies like carbon taxes.
Integrating Environmental Accounting in Agro-Allied and Manufacturing Indust...IJMER
ONLY WHEN THE LAST TREE IS CUT, ONLY WHEN THE LAST RIVER IS POLLUTED, ONLY WHEN THE LAST FISH IS CAUGHT, ONLY THEN WILL THEY REALIZE THAT YOU CANNOT EAT MONEY’ American proverb
Due to growing awareness and concern on the impact of human activity on the ecosystem, there is an
increasing trend to judge organizations in relation to the community in which it operates. The impact of the activities on the environment with regard to pollution of water, air, land and abuse of natural resources are coming under scrutiny of governments, stakeholders and citizens. Education is considered the key to effective development strategies and TVET institutions then must be the master
key that can alleviate poverty, promote peace, conserve the environment, improve the quality of life
for all and help achieve sustainable development. Unless proper accounting work is done, it cannot be determined that both have been fulfilling their responsibilities. The aim of the study was to explore whether distinctive processes of environmental accounting are possible in agro-allied and
manufacturing industries with a view to enhancing sustainability. To accomplish this aim, this research explores environmental accountability practices in TVET institutions. This paper is in part of an exploratory research project and it is limited in that it attempts to be illuminative and theoretically driven. The paper aims to prove that environmental reporting and disclosure will
enable in agro-allied and manufacturing industries undertake a major transformation that includes
approaches that harmonize economic prosperity, environmental conservation and social well-being.
However, while strategies for achieving this goal are not widespread, a range of international experiences is beginning to suggest ways forward. These initiatives include national TVET policy reforms, green campus, green curriculum, green community, green research and green culture. The paper includes suggested templates that can be useful in agro-allied and manufacturing industries
Understanding Renewable Energy Businesses: Aligning Renewable Energy Firms an...The Solar Foundation
This document summarizes the results of surveys of renewable energy firms and economic developers conducted by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) to understand their perspectives and alignment on growing the renewable energy industry. The surveys found that while both groups saw political leadership as the most important state asset, firms placed more importance on direct financial incentives, and viewed federal policy uncertainty as the top challenge. Firms also preferred a comprehensive strategic plan from economic developers, rather than the workforce programs most often implemented. The research aims to highlight alignments and gaps between renewable energy firms and economic developers to improve future industry support strategies.
Financial Institutions Taking Action on Climate ChangeDr Lendy Spires
This document summarizes various ways that financial institutions are demonstrating leadership on climate change across six areas: 1) low carbon and energy efficiency finance, 2) emissions reducing finance, 3) adaptation finance, 4) measurement and transparency, 5) company engagement, and 6) policy engagement. It provides examples of actions financial institutions are taking in each area and how they are contributing to a low carbon transition. The document argues that further action is needed from both governments and financial institutions to mainstream these leadership actions more broadly.
Integrating Environmental Accounting in Agro-Allied and Manufacturing Industr...IJMER
‘ONLY WHEN THE LAST TREE IS CUT, ONLY WHEN THE LAST RIVER IS
POLLUTED, ONLY WHEN THE LAST FISH IS CAUGHT, ONLY THEN WILL THEY REALIZE
THAT YOU CANNOT EAT MONEY’ American proverb
Due to growing awareness and concern on the impact of human activity on the ecosystem, there is an
increasing trend to judge organizations in relation to the community in which it operates. The
impact of the activities on the environment with regard to pollution of water, air, land and abuse of
natural resources are coming under scrutiny of governments, stakeholders and citizens. Education is
considered the key to effective development strategies and TVET institutions then must be the master
key that can alleviate poverty, promote peace, conserve the environment, improve the quality of life
for all and help achieve sustainable development. Unless proper accounting work is done, it cannot
be determined that both have been fulfilling their responsibilities. The aim of the study was to explore
whether distinctive processes of environmental accounting are possible in agro-allied and
manufacturing industries with a view to enhancing sustainability. To accomplish this aim, this
research explores environmental accountability practices in TVET institutions. This paper is in part
of an exploratory research project and it is limited in that it attempts to be illuminative and
theoretically driven. The paper aims to prove that environmental reporting and disclosure will
enable in agro-allied and manufacturing industries undertake a major transformation that includes
approaches that harmonize economic prosperity, environmental conservation and social well-being.
However, while strategies for achieving this goal are not widespread, a range of international
experiences is beginning to suggest ways forward. These initiatives include national TVET policy
reforms, green campus, green curriculum, green community, green research and green culture. The
paper includes suggested templates that can be useful in agro-allied and manufacturing industries
This document contains excerpts from various sources discussing MIT's relationships with fossil fuel companies and climate issues. It criticizes MIT leaders like Rafael Reif, Ernest Moniz, Susan Hockfield, and Maria Zuber for their ties to fossil fuel companies and for weakening MIT's climate plans. It shows the large salaries and compensation Reif received as a Schlumberger director. It questions MIT's partnerships with Russia on fracking and criticizes Moniz for misleading the public on methane leaks.
This paper describes how communities can contribute to the sustainability cause
1. Communities, communication and sustainability: what’s the purpose of this paper?
2. Online communities, why are they relevant?
3. How to communicate to achieve political goals?
4. What can politics learn from commercial communication?
5. What’s the proposed solution?
Powering Up: State Assets & Barriers to Renewable Energy GrowthThe Solar Foundation
This document provides an introduction to a report on renewable energy and economic development. It discusses the growth of renewable energy globally and in the US due to factors like climate change concerns, rising energy prices, and government policies/incentives. While federal energy policy in the US is uncertain, renewable energy development continues due to demand for energy, security, and job creation. The report aims to understand how states are leveraging renewable energy for economic gains through a survey of economic development leaders.
Intangible capital: Key factor of Sustainable development in MoroccoIJRTEMJOURNAL
Sustainable development and intangible capital are concepts that appear in government policy
action plans, and they have multiple ecological, economic, institutional and cultural challenges. Conscious of
the strategic importance of these processes, whose main idea is to create employment and added value while
ensuring respect for the environment, Morocco must meet the challenges posed by global warming, protection
of the environment and the exploitation of intangible capital. The unique challenge of national development and
economic growth lies in the improvement of Moroccan institutions and their governance, noting that World
Bank studies show that, sustainable and equitable development is essentially based on accumulation of
intangible assets, which have only human, social and institutional capital. In so far as it concerns almost all
dimensions and aspects of government policy, the twinning of sustainable development and intangible capital
involves a broad program of actions.
The document discusses frameworks for sustainable development. It addresses economic, social, environmental, and governance issues. Specifically, it examines three areas of focus: natural resource governance, urbanization and urban governance, and environmental governance. It emphasizes that democratic governance with inclusive institutions is indispensable for sustainable development by allowing for debate, accommodation of conflicting interests, and social consensus building. Key elements discussed include programmatic politics, evidence-based policymaking, and commitment to human development outcomes.
Willard Transitioning to Green Thought Leader Webinar, April 2011Linda Morris Kelley
The document discusses building support for sustainability initiatives within businesses. It outlines how sustainability has become a strategic priority for CEOs due to risks like climate change and expectations from stakeholders. Integrating sustainability can provide rewards like cost savings, revenue growth, and improved reputation. The document advocates an approach where sustainability is viewed as an enabling strategy rather than just another goal.
This document discusses globalization and its dimensions. It notes that while globalization promises greater interconnectedness, in reality it often exacerbates inequality and poverty between nations. Powerful countries and actors largely influence global decisions and policies in a way that maintains the historic unequal rules of trade. For example, structural adjustment policies imposed by the IMF and World Bank have increased poverty in many developing nations. Additionally, while foreign aid is promised, donor countries rarely meet their targets and the aid often comes with conditions that primarily benefit donor nations over recipients. As a result, a few nations and people grow wealthier while the majority struggle under globalization.
Culture plays an important role in sustainable development through various aspects. Different cultures have beliefs, practices, and knowledge that shape how people interact with nature and use environmental resources. Traditional ecological knowledge passed down over generations has often led to sustainable management of lands and resources. Cultural values, norms, and institutions also influence sustainability by governing resource use and access. For a sustainable future, it is important to understand and appreciate the diverse relationships between cultures and nature.
The City Resilience Framework provides a lens through which the complexity of cities and the drivers that contribute to a city’s resilience can be understood. The 12 capacities in the 100RC City Resilience Framework collectively determine its ability a city’s resilience to a wide range of shocks and stresses.
This document summarizes key points from the TEEB report on the business case for biodiversity and ecosystem services:
1. Biodiversity loss presents risks but also opportunities for business. The first step is for businesses to identify their impacts and dependencies on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
2. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the environment and favoring eco-certified goods, putting pressure on businesses to review their value chains.
3. Biodiversity provides valuable ecosystem services like water regulation and climate regulation that benefit businesses for free, but continued loss threatens these services.
The Challenges of Microfinance Institutions in Empowering Micro and Small Ent...Mercu Buana University
This study aims to examine the challenges of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in empowering micro and small entrepreneur to concern and care not only for the business growth but also the environmental sustainability in their surroundings. Indonesia as developing countries also faces the environmental degradation that contributes by micro and small entrepreneurs. Moreover MFIs have substantial relationships in term to preserve the environment because of the objectives are not only achieve the profit but also balancing with the social (people) and environment (planet) achievement and MFIs clients also micro and small entrepreneur who as the majority contributor of environment degradation in developing countries. The discussion of the paper is determined by three research questions (i) What’s the role of MFIs in preserving the environment? (ii) How the role of corporate governance in MFIs? (iii) How the implementation of corporate governance in MFIs in empowering micro to implementing green activity (Indonesia evidence)? In addition, to ensure the commitment of MFIs should exist corporate governance, which supervise the compliance with Act No.1 2013 related to the sustainability concern from MFIs because until now the impact of the act has not given the significant impact yet because of the importance is not only the existence of regulation but also the consciousness all stakeholders related to comply and implementing of green activity.
Outcome Statement & Recommendations- Responsible Business Forum 2014Rosie Helson
The document summarizes the proceedings and recommendations from the 3rd Responsible Business Forum on Sustainable Development held in Singapore in November 2014. Over 500 leaders from government, business, and civil society attended to discuss how to generate greater and more widely shared prosperity through sustainable development. Key recommendations included:
- Encourage knowledge sharing across industries and value chains on best practices for sustainability.
- Harmonize sustainability data standards and measurements to increase transparency.
- Establish sustainable procurement policies and educate future generations on these issues.
- Incentivize the adoption of innovative sustainable solutions through policies like carbon taxes.
Integrating Environmental Accounting in Agro-Allied and Manufacturing Indust...IJMER
ONLY WHEN THE LAST TREE IS CUT, ONLY WHEN THE LAST RIVER IS POLLUTED, ONLY WHEN THE LAST FISH IS CAUGHT, ONLY THEN WILL THEY REALIZE THAT YOU CANNOT EAT MONEY’ American proverb
Due to growing awareness and concern on the impact of human activity on the ecosystem, there is an
increasing trend to judge organizations in relation to the community in which it operates. The impact of the activities on the environment with regard to pollution of water, air, land and abuse of natural resources are coming under scrutiny of governments, stakeholders and citizens. Education is considered the key to effective development strategies and TVET institutions then must be the master
key that can alleviate poverty, promote peace, conserve the environment, improve the quality of life
for all and help achieve sustainable development. Unless proper accounting work is done, it cannot be determined that both have been fulfilling their responsibilities. The aim of the study was to explore whether distinctive processes of environmental accounting are possible in agro-allied and
manufacturing industries with a view to enhancing sustainability. To accomplish this aim, this research explores environmental accountability practices in TVET institutions. This paper is in part of an exploratory research project and it is limited in that it attempts to be illuminative and theoretically driven. The paper aims to prove that environmental reporting and disclosure will
enable in agro-allied and manufacturing industries undertake a major transformation that includes
approaches that harmonize economic prosperity, environmental conservation and social well-being.
However, while strategies for achieving this goal are not widespread, a range of international experiences is beginning to suggest ways forward. These initiatives include national TVET policy reforms, green campus, green curriculum, green community, green research and green culture. The paper includes suggested templates that can be useful in agro-allied and manufacturing industries
Understanding Renewable Energy Businesses: Aligning Renewable Energy Firms an...The Solar Foundation
This document summarizes the results of surveys of renewable energy firms and economic developers conducted by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) to understand their perspectives and alignment on growing the renewable energy industry. The surveys found that while both groups saw political leadership as the most important state asset, firms placed more importance on direct financial incentives, and viewed federal policy uncertainty as the top challenge. Firms also preferred a comprehensive strategic plan from economic developers, rather than the workforce programs most often implemented. The research aims to highlight alignments and gaps between renewable energy firms and economic developers to improve future industry support strategies.
Financial Institutions Taking Action on Climate ChangeDr Lendy Spires
This document summarizes various ways that financial institutions are demonstrating leadership on climate change across six areas: 1) low carbon and energy efficiency finance, 2) emissions reducing finance, 3) adaptation finance, 4) measurement and transparency, 5) company engagement, and 6) policy engagement. It provides examples of actions financial institutions are taking in each area and how they are contributing to a low carbon transition. The document argues that further action is needed from both governments and financial institutions to mainstream these leadership actions more broadly.
Integrating Environmental Accounting in Agro-Allied and Manufacturing Industr...IJMER
‘ONLY WHEN THE LAST TREE IS CUT, ONLY WHEN THE LAST RIVER IS
POLLUTED, ONLY WHEN THE LAST FISH IS CAUGHT, ONLY THEN WILL THEY REALIZE
THAT YOU CANNOT EAT MONEY’ American proverb
Due to growing awareness and concern on the impact of human activity on the ecosystem, there is an
increasing trend to judge organizations in relation to the community in which it operates. The
impact of the activities on the environment with regard to pollution of water, air, land and abuse of
natural resources are coming under scrutiny of governments, stakeholders and citizens. Education is
considered the key to effective development strategies and TVET institutions then must be the master
key that can alleviate poverty, promote peace, conserve the environment, improve the quality of life
for all and help achieve sustainable development. Unless proper accounting work is done, it cannot
be determined that both have been fulfilling their responsibilities. The aim of the study was to explore
whether distinctive processes of environmental accounting are possible in agro-allied and
manufacturing industries with a view to enhancing sustainability. To accomplish this aim, this
research explores environmental accountability practices in TVET institutions. This paper is in part
of an exploratory research project and it is limited in that it attempts to be illuminative and
theoretically driven. The paper aims to prove that environmental reporting and disclosure will
enable in agro-allied and manufacturing industries undertake a major transformation that includes
approaches that harmonize economic prosperity, environmental conservation and social well-being.
However, while strategies for achieving this goal are not widespread, a range of international
experiences is beginning to suggest ways forward. These initiatives include national TVET policy
reforms, green campus, green curriculum, green community, green research and green culture. The
paper includes suggested templates that can be useful in agro-allied and manufacturing industries
This document contains excerpts from various sources discussing MIT's relationships with fossil fuel companies and climate issues. It criticizes MIT leaders like Rafael Reif, Ernest Moniz, Susan Hockfield, and Maria Zuber for their ties to fossil fuel companies and for weakening MIT's climate plans. It shows the large salaries and compensation Reif received as a Schlumberger director. It questions MIT's partnerships with Russia on fracking and criticizes Moniz for misleading the public on methane leaks.
This document discusses the importance of green banking in India. It argues that banking institutions can play a key role in promoting environmentally sustainable investment and development by incorporating environmental factors into their lending decisions. The document outlines how banks' credit decisions can influence industry practices and force companies to invest in environmental management. While green banking can benefit banks, businesses, and the economy, the document notes that Indian banks have not yet taken many initiatives in this area despite their influence on India's growing economy. It suggests policy measures to promote green banking in India.
Green Bonds in Brief: Risk, Reward, and Opportunity, is a report from As You Sow and the Cornell Institute of Public Affairs. Green bonds are exciting financial instruments that are directing funds to environmental and climate projects.
This document discusses corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the public and private sectors in India. The author aims to analyze whether CSR investments are higher in public or private sectors through an examination of 18 major companies. The introduction provides background on globalization, sustainability, and India's CSR requirements for companies. The theoretical framework section outlines the UN's sustainable development goals and definitions of sustainability and how it relates to business. The purpose is to understand the relationship between business sector type and CSR investments and their impact on sustainability.
This document summarizes a report on investing in environmental assets to reduce poverty. It finds that achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals will require expanding the environmental assets used by the poor, such as land and water resources. Recent analysis shows that environmental quality can improve at the same time as economic growth, debunking the theory that the environment must decline for growth. Successful poverty reduction strategies need to both expand the asset base of the poor and increase the efficiency of how those assets generate income and well-being. Environmental assets are critically important to the poor's livelihoods and well-being. Investing in things like water, sanitation, and reducing land degradation can have high economic returns and help lift people out of poverty
The "Future of Revaluing Ecosystems" meeting brought together 28 experts to explore ways to better measure and manage the world's natural capital and its contributions to human well-being. Key discussions focused on future trends that will influence ecosystem valuation like rising consumption, climate change, and data availability. Scenarios of different trends in 2025 were explored, such as greater ecosystem shocks triggering demand for more sustainable supply chains. Participants also discussed solutions like financial instruments for ecosystem restoration and new ratings agencies to direct capital to ecosystem management. The overall goal was to change perspectives on nature from something sacrificed for development to something that underpins development.
The document discusses the theoretical framework of eco-industrial parks and sustainable industrial development. It explains that while industry can increase prosperity, uncontrolled industrial development can degrade the environment. Sustainable development seeks to balance economic, environmental, and social needs both now and for future generations. For industry to be sustainable, it must be economically viable, environmentally compatible, and socially responsible. Eco-industrial parks provide a model for sustainable industrial development by creating synergies between companies that allow for resource sharing and industrial symbiosis to reduce environmental impacts.
Colloqui di Martina Franca 2014 "Quale Economia per quale Benessere" - Pre-conditions and constraints on the way towards a green industrial revolution.
The next global economy is emerging in a new world full of unprecedented technologies, new ideas about resources and capital, and new approaches to business. Crucially, we are also being confronted with environmental and economic challenges never before imagined. The ‘next economy’ or ‘green economy’ approach to investment management asserts that the basics of the global economy are evolving in tandem with these changes and that methods of investment management must evolve with them. Green Alpha Advisors contemplates a future economy in which the next generation of asset management must be integral to and reflective of that next economy which both functions to support the integrity of earth’s systems and also can function within earth’s tolerances and finite resource base.
To appropriately invest in this emerging, green economy, one must appreciate that the next economy is by definition not the legacy economy of previous generations, and that it therefore requires a new understanding, new definitions and a new set of rules. To some degree, this requires redefining the parameters of modern portfolio theory to reflect this new world with its technologies and challenges. This in turn requires new economic models, new portfolio construction methods, and new sector classification schemes. Green Alpha Advisors approach to all three is presented here in brief.
Environmental Sustainability Accounting and the Performance of Oil and Gas Co...ijtsrd
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This PowerPoint compilation offers a comprehensive overview of 20 leading innovation management frameworks and methodologies, selected for their broad applicability across various industries and organizational contexts. These frameworks are valuable resources for a wide range of users, including business professionals, educators, and consultants.
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Digital Marketing best practices including influencer marketing, content creators, and omnichannel marketing for Sustainable Brands at the Sustainable Cosmetics Summit 2024 in New York
3. FOREWORD
1. INTRODUCTION
2. BACKGROUND: THE ECOLODGE MARKETPLACE
WHO ARE ECOTOURISTS?
WHAT ARE THEY LOOKING FOR?
Activity preferences
Accommodation preferences
WHERE ARE ECOLODGES LOCATED?
WHAT INFLUENCES ECOTOURISM AND ECOLODGE DEMAND?
Global trends
Ecolodge-specific demand
3. ECOTOURISM POLICY
4. THE BUSINESS CASE: HOW CAN ECOLODGES BE
FINANCIALLY VIABLE?
WHAT IS THE BASIC ECOLODGE BUSINESS AND FINANCE MODEL?
Ownership, debt, and financing
Profitability
WHAT MAKES AN ECOLODGE PROFITABLE?
Other factors that might contribute to profitability
WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL BARRIERS TO FINANCING FOR ECOLODGES?
WHAT ARE THE GREATEST HURDLES TO PROFITABILITY FOR ECOLODGES?
WHAT KIND OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DO ECOLODGES NEED TO
BE PROFITABLE?
5. WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE
IMPACTS OF ECOLODGES?
POTENTIAL POSITIVE IMPACTS
Environmental benefits
Community benefits
POTENTIAL NEGATIVE IMPACTS
6. CONCLUSION: THE FUTURE OF THE ECOLODGE MARKET
KEY BASELINE INDICATORS FOR BIODIVERSITY IMPACT: A MONITORING AND
EVALUATION FRAMEWORK FOR ECOLODGES
TABLE A.1: LODGE LISTINGS BY COUNTRY
CASE STUDIES
CONTACT LIST
APPENDIX A:
APPENDIX B:
APPENDIX C:
APPENDIX D:
1
4. FOREWORD
2 ECOLODGES 2004
However, the costs of producing envi-
ronmentally friendly goods and services
can be high, the businesses that produce
them may require more time, training
and a supportive enabling environment
to become economically viable, and the
actual production often involves new and
untested technologies. These market barri-
ers, combined with the inherent incremen-
tal costs of environmental protection and
conservation, may deter the private sector
— particularly small and micro-enterprises
— from actively pursuing environmental
business opportunities.
To spur the development of envi-
ronmentally sustainable and economically
viable micro, small and medium enterpris-
es (SMEs¹), IFC, with funding from GEF,
launched the Environmental Business
Finance Program (EBFP) in March 2004.
EBFP supports SMEs by increasing their
access to finance, building their capacity,
and fostering an enabling environment
for their activities.² An important element
of EBFP’s strategy is the dissemination of
lessons learned, to encourage best prac-
tice by SME owners and managers, other
entrepreneurs and potential investors in
the area of environmental finance.
There are no instant solutions to these
problems; they are complex, global issues
that defy resolution by any single program
or institution. The International Finance
Corporation (IFC), which makes private
sector investments, has been working with
the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and
a number of other partners and stakehold-
ers with various objectives to develop inno-
vative financial mechanisms to integrate
environmental activities into commercial
business operations. Private sector par-
ticipation is a vital part of meeting these
challenges. Research in this field indicates
that support for entrepreneurial efforts can
be far more powerful and effective in
creating long-term sustainable growth
than can large government concessional
grant programs.
IFC, industry, governments and
civil society are all coming to recognize
that environmental protection and the sus-
tainable use of environmental resources
depend on close collaboration between
the public and private sectors. Consumers,
too, are increasingly demanding products
and services that make use of environ-
mental resources in a sustainable manner.
addressing and preventing the impacts of climate change and
preserving the global environment are key challenges facing the world today.
PHOTO::Chumbe Ecolodge: Hitesh Mehta
5. 1
SMEs are defined in accordance with the definition of the World Bank Group’s SME Department as follows: micro-enterprises up to 10 employees and
total assets or total �
million; and medium enterprises up to 300 employees and total assets or total annual revenue of up to US$15 million. For the purpose of EBFP, the defini-
tion of SME includes micro-enterprises.
2
This program is �
environmental benefits.
3
This publication summarizes
the results of research on the triple bot-
tom line, emphasizing environmental,
social and economic sustainability in the
ecolodge sector. Key factors are highlight-
ed that make an ecolodge environmentally,
socially and financially successful. It is the
first in a series of reports resulting from
EBFP’s research activities on the market
for environmentally friendly goods and
services. Future publications will examine
the financial viability of other sectors that
have important environmental and social
benefits and growth potential.
This study examines the mar-
ket for and business characteristics of
ecolodges operating in developing coun-
tries, in order to determine the key factors
for business viability of ecolodges. The
study also includes a review of how these
facilities can have a positive impact on the
environment and maximize their sustain-
able development benefits for their regions
and local communities. After a brief
introduction in Section 1, Section 2 looks
at the ecolodge marketplace, including the
demographics of ecotourists, their activity
and accommodation preferences, and the
global trends that influence the ecotour-
ism market and demand for ecolodges.
Section 3 provides a brief review of the
evolving policy and enabling environment
for ecotourism around the world. Section
4 presents a discussion of how ecolodges
can become financially viable, with a
summary of the basic ecolodge business
and finance model, an analysis of the key
factors for profitability for ecolodges, and
an assessment of the main technical as-
sistance needs of ecolodge owners and
managers. Section 5 examines potential
positive and negative biodiversity impacts
of ecolodges. Finally, Section 6 presents
a brief conclusion assessing the future of
the ecolodge market.
I hope this publication serves
as a useful tool to the public and private
sectors, donors, financiers, advisors,
ecolodge operators and others who con-
tribute to the sustainable growth of the
ecolodge industry.
Rachel Kyte
Director
Environment & Social Development Department
6. 4 ECOLODGES 2004
1. INTRODUCTION
ecotourism, which is responsible travel to nat-
ural areas that conserves the environment and improves
the well-being of local people, is one of the most dynamic
segments of the international travel industry. As a grow-
ing number of ecotourists plan their holidays around
authentic natural and cultural experiences, they will
increasingly seek accommodations, such as ecolodges,
that reflect the main principles of ecotourism. The
International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines
ecolodges as including three main components:
conservation of neighboring lands, benefits to local
communities, and interpretation to both local popula-
tions and guests.³ While the term “ecolodge” is used
throughout this study, some parts — particularly the
mapping of lodges in 60 countries and the in-depth
surveys of 106 lodges — include ecolodges, as well as
nature-based lodges and small beach resorts.
Ecolodges are of particular interest to the
sustainable development community, because they
are small, medium and micro-enterprises that can
generate a variety of positive economic development
impacts in highly rural, biodiverse areas, where other
types of development underway or under consider-
ation are frequently damaging to the environment. Yet
no study has determined the factors that can make an
ecolodge financially viable and ensure minimal envi-
ronmental impact.
This publication summarizes the findings of
two studies on ecolodges that IFC commissioned in
2004. The first, Ecolodge
Footprint and Justification for
Biodiversity Conservation,⁴ examined the environmental
footprint of ecolodges. The second,
A Review of International Markets, Business, Finance and
Technical Assistance Models for Ecolodges in Developing
Countries,⁵ evaluated the current and projected market
demand for ecolodges and assessed their financial
viability. With these studies, IFC sought to determine
whether the environmental impacts and financial
performance of ecolodges are sufficiently positive to
justify IFC’s investing in them as part of its sustainable
development mission.
Genuine ecolodges have been in operation for
less than 10 years, and many have only been profitable
for several years. Until now, studies on ecolodges have
been unable to look at business models or success
parameters, because many lodges were too informal
to provide sufficient business background or had not
been in business long enough to become profitable.
The businesses that were studied can be considered
trend setters that have been highly innovative in
developing a marketable brand for their lodges in their
regions. Nevertheless, the results presented are still
preliminary because of the emerging nature of
this market.
3
This definition was determined by TIES in 2002.
4
This study had four c�
survey and analysis of �
based lodges in 60 countri�
and economic impacts before, during, and after (operational phase) construction. Authors are Kelly Bricker, Martha Honey, Neel Inamdar, and Maria
Placht. Researchers from West Virginia University are Sarah Millington, Jason Siniscalchi, and Trace Gale.
5
This study had two components: 1) an analysis of demand characteristics for eco-lodges, and 2) survey and analysis of the financial viability of ecolodges.
The authors are Megan Epler Wood, Pam Wight and Associates, and Jeanine Corvetto.
PHOTO::Amazonat Jungle Lodge: Hitesh Mehta
4 ECOLODGES 2004
7. 2. THE ECOLODGE MARKETPLACE
although opinions about future demand and
growth in the ecotourism market vary, all experts and
operators agree that ecotourism markets will increase.
According to the ecolodge owners and experts inter-
viewed for this study (see Appendices B & D for
listings of surveyed ecolodges and the regional experts
respectively), the ecolodge market is expected to grow
by an average of about 10 percent per year over the
next several decades. This estimate is in line with
overall growth estimates for general travel, which are
based, in large part, on the size of the baby-boom gen-
eration (individuals born between 1945 and 1964) from
Europe, North America and Japan. The baby boomers
will experience unprecedented health and longev-
ity during their retirement years, and will have more
time for leisure and travel, good financial resources
and increasing access to quality information on travel
options through the Internet. This section looks briefly
at the ecotourism market, including the characteristics
of ecotourists, the attractions and amenities they seek,
and the trends that affect their decisions on where and
when to travel.
Ecotourism market data are notoriously difficult to collect, and this study faced the same issues as
all other studies on ecotourism to date, notably the lack of quality data. Outbound market data
from developed countries are increasingly available, but still very sparse. Quality ecotourism data
from key destination countries remain largely unavailable, and it is therefore very difficult to deter-
mine how each geo-region’s ecolodge market is performing and what the potential for growth is.
This study focuses on five main geo-regions that are the primary destinations of ecotourists: Africa,
Asia, Central and South America, the Pacific, and Southeast Asia. To gather data on ecotourism
trends in these areas, the authors reviewed market literature from origin markets around the world,
and undertook a survey with regional market experts to discuss ecolodge development trends in
destination countries. A survey was undertaken of 15 ecolodges that are known to be model facili-
ties. In addition, a review of the legal and policy context for ecotourism development in developing
countries was performed, a discussion of natural attractions that constitute business drivers was
provided, and an investigation of the technical assistance needs of ecolodges was undertaken.
A Note About the Data
5
8. WHO ARE ECOTOURISTS?
The United States was identified in this study as the
key global market for ecolodges in all geo-regions
studied. However, ecotourists do come from all
over the world, including Canada, Europe (especially
France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United
Kingdom) and, to a lesser extent, Australia, Japan, and
New Zealand. They are of all ages, with a significant
component of middle-aged travelers, and tend to be
more highly educated professionals with moderate
to high income. Slightly more ecotourists are women
than men.⁶
Free and independent travelers (FITs) — as op-
posed to those traveling with a tour operator — are an
important and growing market segment for ecolodges.
This study concludes that 50 percent of the market will
travel independently, while 50 percent will travel on
tours. These results vary by region. European ecotour-
ists are almost all independent travelers, because
Europe’s tour operators rarely advertize ecotourism
as an option and have only recently begun to offer
more customized special interest travel options. U.S.
ecotourists, on the other hand, are more likely to travel
on tours, because they have had access to a wide
variety of specialty niche travel operators and
nonprofit travel programs for more than a
decade. However, Americans are increas-
ingly traveling independently, particularly
to destinations closer to home, such as
Belize, Costa Rica, and Mexico because
of access to quality travel information
on the Internet. The growing number of
travelers booking directly with ecolodges
and arriving without the help of travel agents
or tour operators will have long-term benefits
for ecolodges, as it will enable them to increasingly
market directly to consumers.⁷
6
The unabr� onsultants,
1994; Blamey and Hatch, 1998; Diamantis, 1998, 1999; The Nature Conservancy, 2000; Sanders, 2001; Blangy and SECA, 2001; Feige et al, 2001;
Torres Riesco, 2001; Travel Industry Association of America, 2002; Japanese Association of Travel Agents, 1999, 2001, 2002; Pam Wight and Associates,
2002; Weaver and Lawton, 2002; Queensland Travel and Tourism Council, 2003a, b
.
7
European Travel Commission, 2003
.
WHAT ARE THEY LOOKING FOR?
In general, ecotourists choose their destinations
first, based on desired activities or attractions, and
then choose their accommodations, although a few
very successful ecolodges have emerged as a primary
reason to travel to a specific destination. For example,
Tiamo, in the Bahamas, has drawn great attention to
Andros Island as an ecotourism destination, while in
the past the Bahamas was strictly known as a mass
tourism resort, cruise and gambling destination. Lapa
Rios, in Costa Rica, brought ecotourism to the Osa
Peninsula, which had been known primarily as an
outpost for illegal gold mining. Panama’s Canopy
Tower drew attention to its first-class bird watching
just minutes from Panama City, this city being known
previously for international banking, the U.S. invasion
and a corrupt dictator. These three ecolodges surveyed,
as well as other examples from other locations, have
become a reason to travel to certain destinations,
thus helping to transform the image of destinations
previously thought of as unattractive or unsuitable for
nature lovers.
The popularity of specific ecotourism
destinations varies based on country
of origin. Among Europeans,
travelers from the United
Kingdom prefer destinations
in Asia, and Germans select
Asia and Latin America with
nearly equal frequency.
Central America is the most
popular destination for
North Americans, while the
vast majority of Japanese eco-
tourists prefer destinations within
Asia and Oceania.
PHOTO::Campi ya Kanzi: Hitesh Mehta
6 ECOLODGES 2004
9. PHOTO::Il Ngwesi: Hitesh Mehta
market seeks to bird watch for
nearly 100 percent of their activity
time.⁹ Thus, evaluating the attraction and viewability
of endemic birds found only in restricted areas, or
unique congregations of birds, plays an important role
in designing a new ecolodge destination. Bird watch-
ers are frequently found in countries not yet known for
ecotourism, and can help make a name for destina-
tions that might otherwise remain unknown.
8
Wight, 2001; Rodríguez, 2003.
9
EplerWood International, 2003.
10
Wight, 1997.
11
Wight, 2001.
Accommodation Preferences
There are few destination studies that have surveyed
the lodging preferences of ecotourists. According to
the regional experts, consumers want value for their
money, and they want to stay in local, more traditional
accommodations if there are no easily identifiable facil-
ities that offer a good alternative. In many cases, these
travelers would likely embrace a more ecological alter-
native if it offered good value and excellent guides, and
was located near highly viewable wildlife resources or
destinations with excellent scenic qualities.¹⁰ Regional
advisors indicate that ecotourists seek comfortable,
conventional, mid-priced lodgings. Access to the
primary attraction or activity is a key factor in choosing
accommodation, as are comfort, quality of interpretive
guides, friendly service, small group sizes and pricing.
Visitors only tend to consider the use of environmen-
tally sensitive practices or architecture when all other
considerations are met.
The fact is that ecotourists still rely on conven-
tional accommodations, rather than ecolodges, for a
large proportion of their travel experience.¹¹ This can
be explained partly by the lack of ecolodge alternatives
in many areas. For example, in rural areas, ecotourists
Activity Preferences
The most important motivations for travel by eco-
tourists around the world are to enjoy the natural
environment, have an “experiential” vacation, and
learn while traveling. There is a particularly high inter-
est in admiring scenery, viewing wildlife, hiking and
walking, taking guided interpretive tours, and visiting
parks and protected areas. According to the study’s
regional experts, activity preferences vary from desti-
nation to destination. For example, diving and other
marine activities are rated highly in the Pacific, while
jungle/rainforest trekking and bird watching are rated
highly in Latin America and Southeast Asia, and game
viewing is popular in Africa.
In general, wildlife viewing is the primary attrac-
tion for ecotourists, both independent travelers and
those traveling with ecotour operators.⁸ What distin-
guishes a wildlife attraction and makes it “bankable”
relates to the charisma of the wildlife being viewed.
Charismatic animals include gorillas and all great
apes, large marine creatures such as whale sharks and
whales, and the African “Big Five” (lions, leopards,
elephants, Cape buffalos and rhinos). When large
mega-fauna are not present in an area such as rainfor-
ests, attractions include monkeys, lemurs and large
flocks of colorful birds, such as macaws. Whether or
not the destination has mega-fauna or congregations
of wildlife, high-quality guide services with excellent
and accurate interpretive information about culture
and nature can distinguish an ecolodge in the market-
place and have a great deal to do with gaining con-
sumer loyalty.
One key special interest among a dedicated
segment of the market is bird watching. Bird watch-
ing has a very strong appeal to a narrow segment of
the ecotourism market; about 10–15 percent of the
7
10. 8 ECOLODGES 2004
frequently will not find ecolodges, and so instead
look for locally owned budget accommodation that
may not be environmentally sound.
While the range of existing ecolodges runs
from basic to luxury, there is a “gap” between com-
munity-run, basic facilities and high-end lodges, with
a lack of mid-priced ecolodges. An analysis of 6,515
nature-based lodges in 60 developing countries found
that nearly three-quarters are lower-end: 73 percent,
or 4,774, of the lodges were budget accommodations
(less than $50 per night), 18 percent, or 1,180, of the
lodges were mid-range ($50–$100 per night), and 7
percent, or 470 of the lodges were top-end (over $100
per night). No price data were available on 91 of the
lodges.¹² The survey, based on an analysis of popu-
lar guidebooks and written surveys, found that only
12
See Table 14 in the full Ecolodge Footprint and Justification for Biodiversity Conservation study, available at www.ifc.org/ebfp.
the Caribbean
islands surveyed
and Costa Rica have a
significantly large percent-
age of mid-range lodges. Given the small size of the
consumer market able to afford high-end lodges and
the consumer demand for mid-range accommoda-
tions, it would appear that there is an insufficient
supply of mid-priced ecolodges today. The demand for
a greater supply of mid-priced ecolodges in ecotour-
ism destinations worldwide will increase only as the
professional middle class of baby boomers retire,
travel more frequently and seek comfortable accom-
modations in the wildland areas they have always
dreamed of visiting.
PHOTO: Finca Rosa Blanca Country Lodge: Glenn Jampol
A potential problem for ecolodges and ecotourism products is a “green skew” that has been increasingly
evident in ecotourism and green-market survey research in the last decade. Research by EplerWood
International has shown that while surveys and literature in the 1990s indicated a rapidly increasing
consumer interest in environmental and social issues, this has not proven to be the case, according to
large-scale studies. There is also increasing evidence that consumers do not act on their stated environ-
mental and social concerns. The small sample of ecolodges and ecotour operators used for this study
report that less than 10 percent of their consumers request information on their environmental and
social practices. This can have important implications for ecolodge developers because, although nu-
merous projects throughout the world have predicated their business plans on surveys that have shown
high consumer concern for the environment or social issues, no large-scale studies exist that review how
many tourists actually act on these concerns. Thus, companies entering the ecolodge market should
be conservative with their use of market demand surveys at the point of origin, and it is recommended
that they take the “green skew” into close consideration. One solution to this problem is to utilize
professional inbound market demand surveys with statistically valid sample sizes in target gateways for
FITs and guided tour travelers as a key source of market information.
Source: Epler Wood, Megan, 2004.
Box 1: The “Green Skew”
11. 9
WHERE ARE ECOLODGES LOCATED?
There is a high correlation between the location of
ecolodges and nature-based lodges, and that of public
and private protected areas or other areas of high
biodiversity. The authors of the Ecolodge Footprint and
Justification for Biodiversity Conservation study mapped
the locations of nature-based lodges in 60 countries
(based on a review of guidebooks) as well as those of
106 ecolodges that completed written surveys.¹³ The
60 countries were chosen based on their high con-
centration of nature-based lodges, their developing
(or mature) ecotourism industry, and their location in
an area of high biodiversity and/or significant natural
attractions. Of the total 5,459 lodges mapped (another
1,059 lodges could not be plotted because no location
was available), Indonesia has the largest concentration
of lodges (758), followed by Costa Rica (590), Thailand
(468), Peru (356), Ecuador (345), Guatemala (322),
Mexico (304), Sri Lanka (277) and Tanzania (259).¹⁴
Of the lodges mapped in all 60 countries, 84 percent
are located in biodiversity hotspot areas, as defined by
Conservation International (www.biodiversityhotspots.
org). The highest concentration is in Mesoamerica
(1,157 lodges), followed by Indo-Burma (543 lodges).¹⁵
Of those ecolodges that completed the in-depth sur-
veys, 60 percent are located within or on the periphery
of an established protected area, and 39 percent are
located within a private reserve.
13 The term “nature-based”�
ecotourism’s social, environmental, and economic practices. However, the in-depth written survey was done with well-known ecolodges, and therefore the
term is applicable here.
14
See Table 12 in the full Ecolodge Footprint and Justification for Biodiversity Conservation study, available at
www.ifc.org/ebfp.
15
See Table 13 in the full Ecolodge Footprint and Justification for Biodiversity Conservation study, available at
www.ifc.org/ebfp.
FIGURE 1: Nature-Based Lodges of the World
SCALE
Low-end/Budget
Middle Range
High--end
Multiple Scales
n/a
IUCN Protected Areas
CI Hotspot Areas
NUMBER
OF LODGES
1-4
5-9
10-19
20 or more
Survey
Guidebook
All lodges at Same Scale
Predominant Scale When Multiple Lodges
Base Data Supplied by Conservation International (CI)
and IUCN November 17, 2003
Source: TIES, 2004.
12. 10 ECOLODGES 2004
The high number of ecolodges and nature-based
lodges located in or near protected areas, or areas
of high biodiversity value, demonstrates the need for
lodges to maintain sound environmental standards
and practices. As both effective government regula-
tion and voluntary certification programs are fairly rare
(only 26 percent of lodges completing the in-depth
survey have a green certification or rating¹⁶), envi-
ronmental and social standards and practices are often
developed by the lodge owners and managers (see Box 2).
16
See Table 1 in the full Ecolodge Footprint and Justification for Biodiversity Conservation study, available at www.ifc.org/ebfp.
The Ecolodge Footprint and Justification for Biodiversity Conservation study surveyed lodge managers
at 106 leading ecolodges around the world. Though not independently verified, the results of this survey
do provide a comprehensive overview of managers’ perceptions of good environmental and social prac-
tices, and therefore offer a baseline understanding of common practices, possibly including areas that
are often overlooked by researchers and lending agencies in ecolodge development and operations. The
full survey results can be found at www.ifc.org/ebfp, Tables 1–11. These findings are summarized below:
• PREDEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION IMPACT: Sixty-three lodges (59%) have under-
taken development in accordance with an environmental impact assessment (EIA) or assessed the
environmental impacts of their developments. Most (89%) also minimized erosion during construc-
tion. While the majority of respondents demonstrated concern for reducing negative impacts, only
a third have an annual written environmental performance review (32%). Thus, it is questionable
whether there is a clear understanding of the impact of the lodge on the natural environment.
This indicates the necessity for establishing a baseline understanding of environmental and social
impacts prior to lodge construction, and for conducting ongoing monitoring and evaluation as the
development is established and becomes operational.
• LOCALLY APPROPRIATE BUILDING MATERIALS AND LOCAL STAFF DURING
CONSTRUCTION: The majority of lodge owners source materials locally (86%) and use local con-
tractors and staff for construction (91%). Nearly 70% use some recycled building materials, with
the overall majority utilizing appropriate building technologies and materials (81%).
• PHYSICAL LAYOUT: Eighty-seven percent follow strategies to minimize dominance on the land-
scape. Most respondents said that they have completed a visual analysis to make building forms
compatible with the landscape. Nearly all also claim that the lodge fits into the local environment
through the use of vegetation (96%).
Box 2:
Environmental and Social Practices at Ecolodges
13. 11
• ENERGY NEEDS: Overall, energy use seems to be one of the weakest areas for most lodges. The
use of renewable energy sources is very low (approximately 31%). Further research should investi-
gate why lodges are not taking advantage of the long-term cost savings and environmental benefits
of alternative energy sources.
• WATER ACQUISITION AND WATER CONSUMPTION: Nearly 70% answered that they use sus-
tainable means to reduce water consumption, and 67% encourage guests to reuse linens. However,
in several specific areas, responses were low: only 29% reuse gray water, 11% use automatic turn-off
taps, and 26% reuse effluent water for toilets and other purposes.
• HANDLING AND DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE: Nearly 87% reported that they carefully
handle and dispose of solid waste and sewage. Overall, there seemed to be the highest incidence of
cost-effective activities (e.g., using less packaging, buying in bulk quantities).
• SUPPORTING CONSERVATION: Eighty percent or higher said that they support conservation
efforts, do not purchase rare or threatened species, and encourage guests to participate in conserva-
tion initiatives. However, very few lodges address feral animal and weed control (31%).
• WORKING WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES: Virtually all (98%) of the lodges employ local
residents, and 88% reported that they have a policy to purchase products and services locally. In
addition, 76% said they give tangible financial, technical or in-kind support to at least one local
organization, and the same percentage (76%) give free or discounted visits to local schools and
educational institutions. However, only 45% say that traditional custodians or appropriate cultural
groups are involved in the development of interpretive materials that present their heritage, and
only 44% advise lodge guests to avoid visiting sites that have restricted access due to cultural sensi-
tivity.
• LODGE ACTIVITIES IN NATURAL AND CULTURAL INTERPRETATION: The majority (70%)
say they have interpretive programs, and 69% employ guides for guest interpretation and educa-
tion. However, only 51% have formal guide training. Guided tours are the most predominant activ-
ity, followed by pre-tour briefings and informational pamphlets.
WHAT INFLUENCES ECOTOURISM
AND ECOLODGE DEMAND?
Demand for ecolodges and ecotourism in developing
countries is largely dependent on the overall market
for overseas travel. The most significant change in
overseas travel trends in the last decade occurred as a
result of the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United
States, the subsequent U.S. war on terrorism, and a
wide variety of security and health concerns that have
arisen worldwide since 2001. The resulting sense of
global insecurity has changed the behavior of overseas
travelers from Australia, Europe, Japan, and the United
States indefinitely.
14. 12 ECOLODGES 2004
Global trends
Until the September 2001 terrorist attacks on the
United States, global travel had been on the rise for
years, with an average of nine percent annual growth
from 1988 to 1997.¹⁷ Nature destinations were faring
particularly well, with some important ecotourism
destinations, including Belize, Botswana, Costa Rica,
Ecuador, South Africa and Tanzania, experiencing dou-
ble digit average annual growth. Overall, countries that
were known to be stable, with well-developed wildlife
parks and destinations and only modest infrastructure,
were prospering and attracting significant foreign
exchange through nature-based tourism in the 1990s.¹⁸
However, global travel was significantly af-
fected (possibly more than any other industry) by the
September 11 attacks and other subsequent security
concerns around the world. Many U.S. overseas travel-
17
World Tourism Organization (WTO).
18
World Tourism Organization (WTO). Tourism Highlights, Madrid, Spain, 1997–1999.
ers, who make up a significant portion of the ecotour-
ism market, canceled overseas travel plans. In the
two years following the attacks, there was a 13 percent
total decline in U.S. travel overseas (see Figure 2).
Nature tourism destinations in eastern Africa were the
hardest hit, while Central and South America also saw
declines. Although travel to Asian destinations did not
decline immediately after the terrorist attacks (mostly
because of business travel to China and Southeast
Asia), the SARS outbreak, Bali bombings and Iraq War
led to drastic declines in both Asia and Southeast Asia
in 2003. However, U.S. overseas travel rebounded in
2003, with a 4 percent increase wordwide, spurred
by the results for Africa (up 17%), the Caribbean (up
14%), Central America (up 17%), and South America
(up 10%).
FIGURE 2: Changes in U.S. Travel to Regional Markets Since 9/11
Source: United States Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, 2001, 2002.
2001 2002 2003
20
15
10
5
0
-5
-10
-15
-20
-25
%
PERCENTAGECHANGE
Caribbean
Central
America Africa
South
America
15. 13
19
European Travel Commission, 2003
Depressed economies in
major ecotourism outbound
markets, including Germany, Japan, and the United
States, since 2001 have also slowed travel demand,
causing travelers to seek more economical vacations
closer to home. However, most experts report that
high-quality ecotourism destinations may be quicker to
recover. For example, South Africa remained very pop-
ular in 2002 and 2003 for European travelers within
Africa, despite double-digit downturns for European
long-haul travel overall. Given that South Africa’s
number one attraction is wildlife parks, this indicates
that quality parks and wildlife resources helped South
Africa survive both an economic downturn and one of
the worst travel crises in recent history.
Changes in leisure behavior, which have been
documented by the European Travel Commission¹⁹
and others, will also have important implications
for the future of the travel market. According to this
research, there will be a greater market for customized
travel featuring arts, culture and history, as well as
wellness products, such as spas, ayurvedic and alter-
native medicine, and fitness centers with yoga, herbal
and other treatments and regimes. The ability to serve
these niches will depend on the size of the niche and
how well special interest groups organize travel.
Busier lives and a smaller number of paid
vacation days will cause tourists to increasingly prefer
shorter and more frequent vacations. Public displays
of status are becoming less important, and lifestyles
are more informal worldwide, indicating the demand
for five-star accommodation will decrease, since this
typifies the World War II generation. Leisure behavior
is becoming more personalized, leading to increased
demand for smaller hotels and lodges.
The way in which tourists book their holidays is
changing, too, with the use of the Internet for research
and direct bookings of tourism products and services.
More independent travelers will increasingly seek
partly packaged or customized holidays, rather than
the traditional inclusive tour packages. Ecolodges
will appeal to this growing segment of independent
travelers and will benefit greatly by being able to use
low-cost, but effective, Internet marketing tools. At
the same time, ecolodges will appeal to the population
that prefers to travel with a tour operator by working
with specialized operators that increasingly seek com-
fortable, well-designed lodges in natural areas.
Ecolodge-specific demand
With all experts agreeing that a growth trend is in place
for ecolodges, this study reviewed the key aspects
of demand for ecolodges. The following factors (in
random order) are considered to be the primary deter-
minants for whether there will be demand for a specific
ecolodge among travelers:
• visitors’ budgets and preferences;
• likelihood of seeing a primary attraction;
• marketing impact;
• degree of political stability, safety and security;
• international airline access;
• domestic airline access after arrival at an
international gateway;
• speed of booking time;
• quality of Internet information; and
• destination image and economic situation in source
markets.
More specific, secondary determinants include
the environmental practices of the lodge and the type
of architecture. However, some experts felt that having
the accommodation located in a natural area was more
important than design or greenness.
PHOTO: Amazonat Jungel Lodge: Hitesh Mehta
16. 14 ECOLODGES 2004
Operators and experts also identified a range
of barriers and constraints to the development of
ecolodges and the growth of ecolodge markets, includ-
ing (in random order):
• lack of rural infrastructure, limiting efficient access and
accessibility;
• distance from world markets;
• seasonality;
• available financing;
• public sector lack of understanding of ecotourism
operations; and
• poor ecotourism policies and lack of appropriate government
regulations to protect communities and the environment
(see Section 3).
In addition, the potential for ecolodge develop-
ment may be adversely affected by negative develop-
ment patterns. Throughout the world, there has been
inadequate governmental regulation and monitoring of
tourism’s impacts on the environment, little attention
to the need for visitor management in protected areas,
and a serious lack of expertise and ability to execute
land-use plans in order to protect regions from over-
building in boom destinations. In the end, inappropri-
ate tourism development destroys the destination for
ecotourism. Ecolodges that once appeared to have
few impacts, low visitor numbers and positive contri-
butions to local economic development can become
enveloped by massive tourism influxes that result in
many additional lodges too close to one another, and
a lack of proper protection for local environment and
wildlife. Tourism booms can be followed by subse-
quent busts in visitor numbers, wreaking havoc on
the ability of any one private ecolodge owner to meet
business or environmental goals.
Despite these significant constraints, ecolodges
have a broad market opportunity over the next 30 or
more years to capitalize on the aging demographics of
the market, increased ability to deliver quality informa-
tion via the Internet, growing leisure time and resourc-
es for the large group of professional middle-class
retirees from Europe, Japan, and the United States,
and changes in leisure and lifestyle trends that will in-
fluence travelers to seek more customized experiences
in smaller accommodations worldwide.
PHOTO::Campi ya Kanzi: Hitesh Mehta
17. 15
gies to assist them. Lodge owners themselves often
assist with establishing local municipal programs,
particularly recycling initiatives.
One area where some governments are playing
a role is in the development and implementation of
voluntary certification programs for ecolodges and
other accommodations. In 1997, the Costa Rican
government launched the Certificate for Sustainable
Tourism, a rigorous certification program that is cur-
rently serving as the model for developing programs in
a number of other countries. The governments of Bra-
zil, Ecuador, and Mexico, among others, are currently
involved in working to create national “green” certifica-
tion programs for hotels. However, requirements for
green technologies that are mandated without techni-
cal or financial support represent an additional cost
to business, and there has been no research showing
that these programs improve the marketability of
certified businesses. Thus, while these certification
programs have provided important incentives for the
private sector to green their businesses, they are still
in the experimental stage. Further testing and research
are required to demonstrate the full business value of
certification programs.
3. ECOTOURISM POLICY
the government role, in ecotourism
policy development, regulations and legal frameworks
is still largely at the planning and discussion stage
worldwide. Although national ecotourism planning
has taken place in numerous developing countries,
such as Malaysia and Mexico, the implementation of
ecotourism plans has been sporadic, with almost no
national fiscal commitment. Without fiscal support for
the objectives set by national plans, planning docu-
ments are quickly shelved for future administration
consideration. While government decision makers are
becoming increasingly aware of the need for support
of the ecotourism sector, to date there has been a
“frontier-style” development environment for ecolodges
in most developing countries, where government ser-
vices and support are, on the whole, not available.
To assess this policy environment, the authors
performed an Ecotourism Policy Gap Analysis, using
results from the 2002 World Ecotourism Summit on
government policy, which incorporate the comments
of thousands of stakeholders worldwide. The find-
ings of this analysis are summarized in the two tables
below. Table 1 presents the policy gaps and Table 2
presents policy actions.
One of the key findings of this study is that
ecolodge ventures can rarely count on government in-
frastructure services for sewage, waste or energy, and
there are no government incentives to create systems
that are more environmentally friendly. Frequently,
there are additional tariffs for imported technologies,
such as solar panels. While the responsible ecolodge
business community has found inventive ways to
manage their own waste, water, energy, and sew-
age systems through the advancement of alternative
technology designs and projects, they generally do not
have government support programs for new technolo-
18. TABLE 1: Ecotourism Policy Gap Analysis
Source: WTO 2002.
GOVERNMENT-LEVEL
POLICIES ABSENT S.E. ASIA S. ASIA
MESO-
AMERICA S. AFRICA
ANDEAN
S. AMERICA
No government specialists
in ecotourism planning to
set standards
Mass tourism policies only
Business licensing inefficient
No ecotourism
market intelligence
No ecotourism marketing
No ecolodge investment
promotion or incentives
No specialized loans
No monitoring of
tourism impacts
Poor links between
biodiversity conservation
and tourism policies
No land-use planning
for tourism
Costa Rica the
one exception
Ecuador the
one exception
Ecuador the
one exception
Land rights not in place
No participative planning
No zoning for ecotourism
A problem in
Amazonian Peru
and Bolivia
No interministerial coopera-
tion
N AT I O N A L T O U R I S M M I N I S T R Y
T O U R I S M B OA R D
E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T
E N V I R O N M E N TA L M A N A G E M E N T & N AT U R A L R E S O U R C E S
P R O V I N C I A L O R M U N I C I PA L
I N T E R M I N I S T E R I A L L E A D E R S H I P
L E G I S L AT I V E A N D E X E C U T I V E B R A N C H
Ecuador and
Peru the
exceptions
No government funds for
tourism law implementation
Limited
16 ECOLODGES 2004
19. TABLE 2: International Ecotourism Policy Analysis
Source: Wight, 2002; World Tourism Organization, 2002.
POLICY TYPE &
POLICY MAKING BODY POLICY TOOL SUGGESTED POLICY ACTION
Legal frameworks Legal review of tourism policies Integrate needs of ecotourism businesses
in legal policies for tourism
Legislative frameworks Review of relevant legislations Integrate needs of ecotourism businesses
in municipal and local legislation
Fiscal commitment Budget review Incorporate ecotourism legislative, legal
and policy frameworks into budget for
economic development
National marketing Internet and trade fairs Incorporate ecotourism information in
national travel market campaigns
Market intelligence Market research Conduct quality research of ecotourism
market sector for nation
Regional marketing Regional ecotourism networks Provide financial and logistical support
for marketing networks
Transboundary initiatives Transnational policies Hold meetings between countries to
establish cooperation
Interministerial planning Integrated planning Establish interministerial working groups
Policy frameworks National ecotourism plans and policies Integrate policy with other national de-
velopment and environmental conserva-
tion goals
Health standards Inspections and monitoring Ensure all new facilities are meeting
health standards
Development planning Zoning, land-use planning Establish zones limiting scale of tourism
development according to site
Monitoring Enforcement Obtain funds to enforce development
regulations
Protected areas Visitor management Obtain funds to establish baseline data
and manage impacts
Participative planning Participative policy planning Incorporate community and indigenous
populations in planning for ecotourism
development
Land tenure Reform of land titling Review land titling issues in ecotourism
development zones
Land use Zoning, land-use planning Develop ecotourism development zones
Infrastructural support Signage, roads, telecommunication,
electricity, water, solid waste, sewage
treatment
Review needs in ecotourism zones, target
development as appropriate
L E G I S L AT I V E B O D Y A N D E X E C U T I V E B R A N C H
T O U R I S M B OA R D
I N T E R M I N I S T E R I A L C O O P E R AT I O N
T O U R I S M M I N I S T R Y
E N V I R O N M E N TA L A N D N AT U R A L R E S O U R C E S
P R O V I N C I A L O R M U N I C I PA L G O V E R N M E N T
E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T
Public-private cooperation Private sector advisory board Develop advisory board
Sustainable growth National tourism accounting system
reform
Develop economic indicators for tourism
development in different zones. Review
incentives for development in poor and
rural areas, triple bottom line results
17