Objectives ISD Forum

Renewable Energies

 Water management

Zero waste

Buildings

Island experiences

Tourism

 Biodiversity

Transport

Information Society
 


Forum of Island Local Authorities
in Favour of Renewable Energies, Clean Water and Transport
Hersonissos - Crete (Greece) on 28 May 2003



 

Description of the Forum

 

 

Basis for the Action
 
Considering the need of islands to find environmentally friendly solutions in the fields of energy, water production and management as well as transport and taking into account the present state of technology and the experiences already developed on several islands, the creation of a Forum of Local Authorities of Island Tourist Destinations is urged.
 
By this, it should be demonstrated that solutions based on renewable energy sources and new clean technologies are both technically and economically viable. The energy, water transport issues are the main challenges islands face on their way to become sustainable tourist destinations and to develop a quality offer.
 
The Conferences and Declarations of Chania (2002 – Towards 100% RES on islands), Maspalomas (2001 - Sustainable Hotels for Sustainable Destinations), as well as the present conference on “RES for islands, tourism and water desalination” on Crete illustrate the following essential aspects:
 
· Due to their special characteristics, large-scale deployment of renewable energy sources and implementation of new technologies for their exploitation are a demonstrated option for islands.
· In spite of the potential and opportunities existing in most island tourist municipalities and destinations, the incorporation of new technologies and energy solutions based on the exploitation of renewable energy sources is significantly below their possibilities.
· Energy options on islands are increasingly related with water resources management and with the production of water for tourism (desalination), an aspect of major importance in this International Year of Freshwater.
· Inappropriate solutions of inland transport on islands lead to an unsustainable energy dependency and an unacceptable environmental impact, damaging the quality of tourist destinations and their offer.
· Among the barriers against improvements in these areas in tourist destinations we have to emphasise the following:
 
o Lack of information about existing technologies and tested experiences.
o Scarcity in pilot projects of reference, or ignorance of their existence.
o Absence of transfer mechanisms between technology and know-how providers and tourist deciders, including professionals and consultants.
o Non-incorporation of these criteria in tourist planning.
 
Municipalities and authorities of island tourist destinations can and should be the big engines for change, as they are, after all, the most influential actors with a high concerting capacity tracing the lines of tourist development. Although in many cases their competences and financial possibilities are seriously limited, municipalities and authorities of islands are responsible for the overall wellbeing of the communities and therefore in their active promotion of sustainable tourism will bring social, economic, and health benefits to local people.
 
The creation of the Forum of Island Authorities of Tourism Destinations in favour of Renewable Energy Promotion and Sustainable Water Management stems from the idea that inter-island cooperation could bring mutual, far-reaching benefits when these barriers would be overcome, following the concept: “common problems, shared solutions”.
 
 
COMPOSITION OF THE FORUM
 
This forum will be made up by:
A Promoter Group of European Island Authorities of tourist destinations
A Supporter Group of international organisations and key actors bringing together experience in the fields of tourism and renewable energy sources
An Observer Group of key-actors outside of Europe
 
 OBJECTIVES OF THE FORUM
 
·       To create an alliance among islands for the protection of their common interests to safeguard the environmental quality of island tourist destinations in the fields of energy, water and transport at the regional, national and European levels.
 
·       To establish an efficient cooperation framework between tourist island local authorities and municipalities for the promotion of renewable energy use in each tourist destination.
 
·       To integrate the highest number of island tourist destinations in the Sustainable Communities strategy launched by the European Commission.
 
·       To support and promote a Forum for experience exchange and joint project promotion, including also sustainable mobility initiatives and implementation of zero-emission transport systems.
 
·       To promote Best-Practice guidelines that would include guidance for tourist actors of each municipality (hospitality, services, ...).
 
·       To identify, promote, propose and develop joint projects between islands in the mentioned areas, including joint co-financing proposals before the European Commission, international organisations and national administrations.
 
·       To develop an information, experiences and know-how exchange electronic network system.
 
· To support campaigns for the promotion of sustainable tourist municipalities, addressed to the whole spectrum of tourist activity actors, that would include the follow-up of the already started “A new sun for islands” (ICAEN), and incorporate the European Commission’s Campaign for Take-Off .
 
· To launch a logo that would identify island tourist municipalities and destinations that support Renewable Energy Sources, sustainable mobility and clean water production.
 

Promoter group
 
Initiators of the Forum of Local Authorities in Favour of Renewable Energies and Clean Water Production constituted at the International Conference on “Renewable Energy Sources for Islands, Tourism and Water Desalination” which took place on 26-28 May 2003 in Crete, Greece:
 
Municipality of Hersonissos, Crete
La Palma Biosphere Reserve
Municipality of Erice, Sicily
Municipality of Campos, Majorca
Municipality of Lasithi, Crete
Municipality of Adeje, Tenerife
Isle of Wight Council
Municipality of Samsø
Municipality of Campo nell’Elba
Island of Saaremaa
Municipality of Limnos
Municipality of Campos (Majorca)
 
Supporter organisations:
 
WTO (World Tourism Organisation), UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), INSULA (International Scientific Council for Island Development), EREC (European Energy Export Council), IRT (Institute of Responsible Tourism) and TUI AG.