In a recent project between the Palau Bureau of Tourism, Sustainable Travel International and Slow Food, Palau is strives to reduce the tourism sector’s carbon footprint and become the world’s first ‘carbon neutral tourism destination’.
As one of the top marine tourism destinations in the world, last year alone Palau received more than 89,000 international tourists. With a population of just under 22,000, this means that tourism represents the islands’ main source of economic income and employment. However, as a small island destination, Palau is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change which threaten the islands’ marine ecosystems, coastal communities and the tourism industry. So although tourism is essential for the island economically, it also has a negative impact environmentally. A significant portion of Palau’s carbon footprint is produced by tourists, for example travel to the island is by plane and the food consumed is usually imported.
Palau is more than aware of the issues, and over recent years it has implemented various schemes to protect the environment and to champion responsible tourism. It has established one of the world’s largest marine sanctuaries, created the world’s first mandatory eco-pledge (Palau Pledge) that all visitors are required to sign upon entry, banned tour operators from using single-use plastics and Styrofoam, and adopted the world’s strictest national sunscreen standard in order to protect its marine environment. This latest initiative aims to build on and improve the work they have done so far.
The project, which is taking a destination-level approach, has two main goals:
- Firstly it aims to reduce tourism’s carbon footprint in Palau by increasing the amount of food sourced from local producers, and so reducing the industry’s dependence on imports. In order to do this Palau is increasing the capacity of farmers and fishers to market their products to tourists. This will not only reduce emissions but also create income-generating opportunities for local communities and improve food security on the islands. The project also emphasises sustainable production and empowering women producers to participate in the tourism value chain.
- Secondly it aims to compensate for tourism’s unavoidable emissions via a carbon management program for tourists. The new online platform will allow visitors to calculate and offset the carbon footprint of their trip, including both their travel to Palau and their activities. To reinforce Palau’s leadership in marine conservation, the offset contributions will be invested in blue carbon initiatives like mangrove restoration or sustainable production activities in the region that reduce CO2 emissions. The programme is believed to have the potential to raise over US$1 million a year for these carbon reduction initiatives.
It is hoped that this project, in addition to the existing initiatives Palau has in place, will see it become the world’s first ‘carbon neutral tourism destination’.
