4th Zero Carbon Resorts Project Conference: Operating Zero Carbon Resorts is More Fun in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As a culminating program of Zero Carbon Resorts (ZCR) Phase 1, the ZCR team in collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DOT) will host its 4th Zero Carbon Resorts (ZCR) Project Conference on May 21, 2014 at Hyatt Regency Hotel and Casino Manila with the theme “Operating Zero Carbon Resorts is More Fun in the Philippines.” Linked to the DOT’s branding campaign, the event will be a celebration of the success and achievements of the ZCR Project Phase 1.

The Switch Asia project Zero Carbon Resorts (ZCR) has challenged the conventional practices of how tourism establishments operate their buildings and facilities in the Philippines. In the last 4 years of its implementation, the project has gathered 500 member companies all over the country. The conference will be a celebration of the success and achievements of the project over the last 4 years

A sample of 150 tourism SMEs has been analyzed in detail and this sample alone accounts for savings of PhP 260 Million per year and 6 million kg of CO2. This indicates the environmental impact of the project and the economic advantage for its beneficiaries.

Watch Out for the Opening of ZCR Showcase Cottage in May 2014! The 1st energy self-sufficient and sustainable building.

This is an enormous environmental impact and at the same time , brings economic returns for the members. The ultimate goal of the ZCR project in the country is to reduce the carbon emission of the tourism sector through energy and resource efficiency practices following a progressive 3R approach. The 3R (Reduce-Replace-Redesign) intervention ranges from simple energy reduction measures with low or zero investment to efficient high-end technologies depending on the innovation stage the establishments have already reached. The project is funded by the European Union under Switch-Asia program.

There will be awarding of tourism SMEs that gained the highest CO2 savings. The conference will also highlight the first ZCR Bamboo Cottage that is totally energy self-sufficient and will showcase sustainable building principles and energy systems using appropriate technology solutions - a one-of-a-kind cottage that is designed and constructed so that it can be replicated elsewhere.

Furthermore, the conference will also launch the Phase 2 of the ZCR project which is another 4 year programme expanding its scope and location in the Philippines and Thailand.

Located at Palawan Sustainable Development Training Institute PAC Complex, Irawan, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

The event will be attended by ZCR international and local experts, honourable guests from the national government, international funding organizations and local partner agencies. International and local speakers will be coming from project partners like GrAT-Center for Appropriate Technology (Austria), Plataforma Solar de Almeria - CIEMAT (Spain), Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) - Philippines and Asia Society for Social Improvement Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) - Philippines. Keynote speakers and notable guests are  the Honourable Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. Secretary of the Department of Tourism, and His Excellency Guy Ledoux, EU Ambassador to the Philippines.

Wazzup Pilipinas is also proud to be an online media partner of this event which invites all tourism related establishments  and professionals to learn the benefits of being part of the ZCR project and join the growing ZCR community.

The conference is FREE of charge, however registration is required.

For further information and download of registration form, you may visit their official website through: www.ZeroCarbonResorts.eu or you may get in touch with conference secretariat at telephone number: (+632) 559 9712 or email at: zcr@grat.at

You may also visit their Facebook page for more details: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zero-Carbon-Resorts-Project/106774296079287