New STREAM tourism project focuses on climate change in Indonesia

The United Nation World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) along with the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MoCT) have together launched a new energy efficiency project in Indonesia.

The project, “Sustainable Tourism through Energy Efficiency with Adaptation and Mitigation Measures in Pangandaran” (STREAM), aims to serve as a model of innovative climate change mitigation and adaptation measures in tourism destinations throughout Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

Specifically, measures will be implemented in Pangandaran – a popular tourism destination in Java, Indonesia – by adopting an energy efficiency approach and strengthening local structures for the long-term success of the destination.

Measures will include:

• Seminars and workshops to increase knowledge and capacity of local tourism stakeholders
• Energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in hotels and public buildings
• Low-carbon tourism planning tools
• Adaptation measures such as the rehabilitation of mangroves and coral reefs which naturally capture and store carbon emissions

The project will significantly increase the climate change resilience of Pangandaran and the competitiveness of its tourism sector, thereby serving as a model for other destinations in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

“This project is a clear example that the tourism sector is taking its responsibility to contribute to the reduction of global greenhouse gases emission and climate change adaptation seriously,” said UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai.

The importance of a local-focus

According to Jero Wacik – the Indonesian Minister of Culture and Tourism – local initiatives are crucial as steps toward positive national policies on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and tourism development.

“We are happy to cooperate with UNWTO in this project as its activities represent strategic development steps for Indonesia and its tourism sector, in line with our four-pronged strategy – pro-growth, pro-job, pro-poor, and pro-environment,” he said.

The “STREAM” project is part of the International Climate Initiative of the German Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety as well as the International Climate Initiative.

For more info, visit www.UNWTO.org.