Round table discussion seminar Tourism chances and

Round table discussion seminar Tourism – chances and challenges, Sustainability and Competitiveness Nordic House, Reykjavík Feb 15 th 2008 Partnership for regional sustainable (tourism) development Stefán Gíslason MSc Environmental Management and Polciy Environice, Borgarnes, Iceland www. environice. is stefan@environice. is

Contents Ø Summary Ø Background Ø Historical. . . Ø A little bit on Green Globe Ø Monitoring and data Ø Industry’s opinions Ø Did they succeed?

Summary Ø Three regions in Iceland have decided to head for a full international certification according to the Green Globe standard for communities. Ø As an example, 5 municipalities on the Snæfellsnes peninsula in western Iceland have been co-operating on this since 2002, and are awaiting a certification audit in April. If successful, the region will be the first certified in the northern hemisphere! Ø To gain this, the local governments have entered into partnership with the regional industries, especially the tourism industry, to develop the whole region towards sustainability. This is a prerequisite for the certification.

Background Snæfellsnes: Ø 90 km long, 1, 474 km 2 (1. 4% of Iceland’a land area) Ø A line of mountains with Snæfellsjökul glacier (1, 446 m) furthest to the west as a symbol (“Centre of the Earth”) Ø A rich diversity – Snæfellsjökul National Park Ø Five municipalities with a total of some 4. 000 inhabitants = Tre “big” fishing villages (ca. 3 x 1. 000 inh. ) + farms Ø Industry: Fishing, agriculture, tourism

“Historical” background 1998) The municipality of Snæfellsbær starts working with Local Agenda 21. 2000) The local government approves a Local Agenda 21 action plan => finds out that the municpality cannot do a lot without co-operation with the industries and the neighbouring communities. 2002) Autumn: The municipality of Snæfellsbær invites the neighbouring municiplities to partnership regarding Green Globe certification.

“Historical” background (cont. ) 2003) Spring: Five local governments (the whole peninsula) sign an agreement to seek a common Green Globe certification. Autumn: The launch of the project, a steering group established with representatives from the local gvmts. (with links to the industries), the national park and some national gvmtl. institutions (Road admin. , power company, tourist council) 2004) Autumn: “Benchmarking” achieved (WTM, London, 10 -nov-2004) 2005) 2006) 2007) Benchmarking renewed 2008) April: Full certification?

What is GREEN GLOBE ? Ø Based on Agenda 21. The tourism industry’s response to the challenges of the Rio summit 1992 Ø Formally established by WTTC – (World Travel and Tourism Council) 1994 Ø Originally based on membership Ø Independent certification scheme since 1999 (the world’s only global certification scheme for sustainability) Ø The first GREEN GLOBE standard for tourism companies published in 1999 Ø A GREEN GLOBE standard for communities presented late in 2002 Ø A new standard for communites 2003 and companies 2005/2006 Ø Headquartes in Australia since 2003

Why GREEN GLOBE? Ø International recognition Ø The only certification scheme for communities Ø Certifies all sectors of tourism Ø Co-operation with universities (a strong prof. back-up) Ø Emphasis on local resources (goods/services/labour) Ø Based on Agenda 21 and sustainable development

From the standard Ø The outcome is […] a more sustainable Community where the Tourism industry and other sectors are actively underpinning sustainable outcomes. Ø The Community Standard recognizes the benefits of a community working together to achieve sustainable outcomes. It requires a Community Authority to provide leadership Ø The Standard is designed to empower local communities and to build on local initiatives. Ø It deals with environmental regeneration and environmental improvement as well as the conservation of existing heritage assets.

From the standard Ø The GREEN GLOBE 21 Community Authority shall: 3. 6 Have a commitment to individualize environmental and socially sustainable performance accountability to companies, community members and authorities within the Community. 3. 9 Have a commitment to give preference to employment, products and services of local community origin.

From the standard Ø The GREEN GLOBE 21 Community Authority shall: 5. 8 Have regard to the following considerations in developing Community Benchmarking supplementary performance indicators: § Giving preference to locally produced goods and services § Encouraging local employment § Encouraging industry reinvestment in the local community § Minimizing leakage of locally generated revenue § Stimulating local micro-businesses 6. 1. 7 Encourage Community stakeholders to engage in the Community Authority’s environmental and social programmes.

Regional indicators

Presentation of results Ø Every indicator annually compared to GG “Benchmarks” Ø Should be above “Baseline” Ø + continuous improvement Ø Example -> -> “Best Practice” “Baseline”

A Comment “Three years ago I would have said that all this talking about sustainability was nothing for my company, but just some meaningless costly requirements. But, just operating the company within a community with this positive kind of sustainability profile, has really improved my company’s image among the customers. It’s a privilege from a marketing point of view to have the opportunity to participate in this development”. Ólafur Rögnvaldsson, CEO of the region’s largest fish industry

More regions Ø Two more regions have already started to prepare for Green Globe certification (with Snæfellsnes as a role model) Ø Álftanes (south of Reykjavík) Ø Iceland South Central Ø Still two more are in the early phase, awaiting a formal approval from leading authorities

Have they succeeded? Ø Have they succeeded in estabishing a active partnership between local authorities and the industries for increased sustainability and in creating new opportunities for regional development? Ø The work just started Ø There are no absolute indicators/measurements Ø But the base has been built at least!

Conclusion Ø The regional work at Snæfellsnes is an example of how the industrial development can be managed on a local or a regional level and guided towards sustainability, in order to create new opportunities for regional development Ø As the ”Green Globe Community Standard” demands an active co-operation between the authorities and the industries, it has the potential to function as a tool/guideline for local/regional co-operation towards sustainability Ø This opens up for new opportunities for a common marketing of the whole region