Tourism businesses, who are part of the Green Kangaroo program, demonstrate creative solutions to reduce their Greenhouse Gas Emissions that go further than just applying grant funding technology. The program is encouraging creativity, providing real experiences for visitors and GHG footprint reduction. Read the ABC report.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/08/30/2997609.htm

Accreditation schemes are very helpful to provide frameworks for action. But to ensure your business is not cast under the aspersions of “greenwashing” by others, individual operators should independently verify their claims. This also gives them the ability to apply localised solutions and respect community values and heritage. Here is an example where there is the double benefit of both Responsible Tourism Reporting and education (involving the local community school children and other tourism operators -part of the Green Kangaroo initiative).

The beautiful tourism community of Kangaroo Valley, NSW, Australia has recently agreed a Code of Ethics at its AGM 19 July 2010. This commitment builds on its existing GHG Emissions reduction program (the Green Kangaroo) and being Australia’s first Plastic Bag Free Mainland Town. There are now plans to introduce a voluntary ban on plastic water bottles. All efforts to help reduce tourisms negative environmental impacts and improve social and economic sustainability.

Australia’s tourism industry faces the challenge of climate change and
the threat of losing billions of dollars to rural communities.
According to research undertaken by Sarah Perkins for the Climate
Change Research Centre, climate change will have an effect on natural
landscapes, snow cover and industries like the wine sector very
shortly (see link below to a summary of Perkins’ research).

Sadly we do not currently have a comprehensive Tourism Climate Change
Mitigation and Adaptation plan at national level nor in many states.

Smart Transport Policies Required to sustain Australia’s tourism

Transport is a critical and often overlooked sector of tourism. We

Crystal Creek Meadows won the 2009 Australian Tourism Awards - Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism.

Chris and his wife Sophie use their 5 star responsible accommodation as a practical demonstration of how sustainability helps drive better business practice.

Chris share's his knowledge and argues the business case for responsible tourism as a speaker.

Crystal Creek Meadows has also received two NSW Green Globe Environmental Sustainability Awards and an EcoTourism Australia Climate Action Award.

Crystal Creek Meadows wins 2009 NSW Tourism - Qantas Awards for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism 2009