How to respond to climate change is an issue of great importance for the global tourism sector. How can the tourism industry, highly dependant on a healthy environment, increase its resilience towards climate change and at the same time do its part to reduce its energy footprint?

How to respond to climate change is an issue of great importance for the global tourism sector. How can the tourism industry, highly dependant on a healthy environment, increase its resilience towards climate change and at the same time do its part to reduce its energy footprint?

STREAM (‘Sustainable Tourism through Energy Efficiency with Adaptation and Mitigation Measures’) develops and implements holistic, innovative approaches to low carbon tourism development in Pangandaran, a popular tourist destination on the southern coast of Java, Indonesia, chosen due to its vulnerability from the impact of climate change. Building on the achievements of a previous UNWTO biodiversity conservation project in Pangandaran, STREAM marks a continuation in tourism development in the region based on active local participation.

Tourism activities in Pangandaran, such as swimming, surfing and diving, all rely on the well-being of the natural surroundings. Minimizing the environmental impacts on the area therefore marks a crucial long-term investment for the many local  tourism stakeholders.

By demonstrating the opportunities offered by climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, and how these can strengthen the local structures for sustainability in a  tourism destination, the project goal is for STREAM to function as a lighthouse example on reaction to climate change to be replicated for other destinations in Indonesia and beyond.

Activities on the ground

The STREAM Project includes both adaptation and mitigation components, all embedded in a framework of baseline creation, data collection, wider awareness raising, capacity building for key stakeholders, monitoring and evaluation and replication of best practices - aimed at stimulating multiplier effects.

Mitigation

Climate change mitigation measures aim to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, in the case of STREAM those from the tourism sector. STREAM mitigation activities include:

• Awareness campaign on energy efficiency and renewable among tourism stakeholders
• Capacity building on energy saving measures and energy efficiency with local hotel managers and staff
• Data collection and baseline data creation of tourism related energy profile in Pangandaran
• Implementation of pilot energy efficiency and renewable energy measures to showcase feasible solutions for hotels and restaurants.

Adaptation

Although carbon emissions can be reduced by mitigation, climate change processes cannot be stopped or slowed down immediately. Adaptation measures are an effort to adapt to climate change impacts that occur naturally, either by minimizing the level of destruction or taking the opportunity to create innovation. Adaptation measures within the framework of the STREAM includes:

• Community awareness program  introducing climate change issues and the importance of coastal ecosystem protection
• Mangrove planting and rehabilitation along with supporting infrastructure: accessing platforms made of bamboo and a mangrove learning center
• The Mangrove Ambassador Programme - actively involving local school children in environmental education, planting, monitoring of the mangroves
• Coral reef restoration and capacity building on coral reef ecosystems and protection with local tourism guides, dive operators and fishermen

Beyond

• Concept for upscaling to a national level through training of trainers from other Indonesian destination management officers (DMOs), along with the dissemination of best practices and lessons learnt
• Development of  a Green Energy Tour Package - spreading awareness about climate change impacts and solutions among the tourists in Pangandaran, and channel tourism revenues into continued environmental conservation