Greenpeace launches "Energy-Efficient Bali" program Nusa Dua, Bali, November 11 2007 – Greenpeace and the Bali Hotels Association in partnership with the Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC) today launched an ambitious energy efficiency program aimed at promoting responsible tourism and climate friendly hospitality in the most `favored and frequented´ tourist destination in the southern hemisphere.
The announcement of "Switch off, Unplug, Enjoy – Energy Efficient Bali´ was made onboard Greenpeace flagship SV Rainbow Warrior that is docked in Benoa Harbour off Nusa Dua, venue of the United Nations conference on Climate Change.
"Undoubtedly, like any other sector tourism potentially contributes to the problem of climate change. On the understanding that everyone must do their share to reduce our collective carbon footprints, the Indonesian government welcomes this Greenpeace initiative to kickstart a conscious effort to help offset some of the problems associated with inefficient energy usage," said Rachmat Witoelar, Minister of Environment and President of the UNFCCC.
Between October and November 2007, Greenpeace conducted a pilot survey of 15 hotels in Nusa Dua, Bali, a high – end tourist destination in Indonesia and the venue of the UN conference on climate change, to
understand the existing energy and environmental conservation practices and the willingness of the hotels to introduce energy efficiency measures in the future to contribute to the global efforts to combat
climate change.
The Energy Efficient Bali program currently envisages the following elements and will evolve as the program spreads to all Bali resorts, hotels, hostels and home-stays, besides restaurants, cafes, clubs and
pubs:
– Regular skill-shares and seminars to provide information on cost-effective energy efficiency measures and modern renewable energy technologies that the hospitality industry can deploy at their properties.
– Free energy audits with suggestions for improving energy efficiency.
– Regular training on energy conservation, water conservation and waste management for hotel staff.
– Greenpeace will provide energy efficiency and energy conservation awareness materials for tourists, guests, and visitors
– Greenpeace will also lobby the Indonesian government to provide incentives and subsidies to allow hotels to invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency measures.
"The science is unequivocal, to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, it is imperative that all sectors should engage in reducing global green house gas emissions on a war footing. We welcome the
enthusiasm of the Bali hospitality industry to engage in the global mitigation efforts and hope that the Indonesian Government will provide the necessary support and incentive to ensure that the vision of
making Bali the most energy efficient destination in the world is achieved."said Gerd Leipold, Greenpeace International Executive Director.
Greenpeace believes it is possible to keep the worst impacts of climate change – such as extreme weather events, water crises and increased hunger – from putting millions of people at risk. This will take a
revolution in the way we use and produce energy, and a strong commitment to stop deforestation worldwide.
