Sustainable Tourism Supercharged by Solar
Updated April 11, 2024
By Morgan Pierce
Yes, it has been raining since October. We’re all tired of hearing it and saying it. But the days are getting longer – we just “sprang” forward, so that’s an hour more daylight to lift the spirits. While we’re sitting at our desks dreaming of school breaks and summer getaways, many of us are also brainstorming ways to make those holidays as climate-friendly as possible. It turns out, solar power has a big part to play in “sustainable tourism”.
There are lots of ways in which the growth of global tourism has driven environmental degradation and climate change. Air traffic alone produces 3.5% of the world’s greenhouse gases, so the push is on to find alternatives to fuel the industry.
Even while that process is continuing, though, the movement for a greener travel and tourism economy is growing. That’s important and hopeful news because the holiday economy accounts for 8% of global GDP and contributes billions of euros to Ireland’s economy every year.
Whether you’re flying out of Ireland to parts unknown or looking for an adventure closer to home, there are ways you can make your holiday more eco-friendly. By opting to support environmentally conscious businesses, you can contribute to moving the whole tourism sector in that direction.
Sustainable tourism isn’t about what we deny ourselves – it’s about what, where and how we choose to enjoy our world. As Failte Ireland points out in its comprehensive guide, the goal of creating a sustainable tourism infrastructure is “to preserve and protect the natural world and leave the beauty of nature for future generations to enjoy.”
Those offering tourist accommodation, hospitality in the form of bars or restaurants, or cultural or historic attractions can meet the expectations of green-minded tourists by:
- Minimising any negative impact on the environment,
- Making sustainable choices as easy as possible,
- Using local producers and suppliers,
- Respecting sensitive natural habitats and protected areas,
- Reducing waste and resource consumption,
- Organizing environmentally friendly options – public transport, biking, walking – to bring tourists to their doors.
Solar for Sustainable Tourism
Failte Ireland repeatedly stresses the use of solar or other renewable energy sources as a “Top Priority” for eco-conscious travellers.
How can you be sure as a traveller that your euros are supporting a genuine green enterprise? Or, if you’re a small business owner with a café, cottage, townhouse or pub, how can you best advertise your green credentials? Failte Ireland suggests using businesses “certified sustainable” through an accrediting body such as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) as the smart way to avoid “greenwashing” by disreputable operators.
The GSTC certification process is carried out in Ireland through the work of the Sustainable Tourism Network. The Network offers a six-step programme to enable businesses to increase their sustainability and achieve certification. One step in the programme focuses on energy use – calculating your business’ carbon footprint, introducing energy reduction targets and switching to a renewable energy provider.
In a recent news release, the Sustainable Tourism Network lauded the Slieve Elba B&B, a small family-owned business in Lisdoonvarna that had become the first B&B in Ireland to achieve the organisation’s prestigious gold standard for sustainability.
Slieve Elba’s success was made possible in major part because of cost savings they had made by reducing their energy consumption. Those costs savings paid in part for the installation of solar that is now generating 60-65% of the B&B’s energy.
Slieve Elba’s owners, Kris and Ireen Klaes, used the SEAI Solar grant as partial payment for their system back in 2020 – rising energy costs since then mean that the system will pay for itself in half the time originally calculated. (If you are interested in greening your own tourism-related small business this way, our solar advisors are here to offer advice and support.)
Like I said, sustainability isn’t about what we deny ourselves, it’s about what we embrace, what we do. People like Kris and Ireen Klaes are “just” small business owners, but they have stepped up to the challenge. Each of us has a part to play.
The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is in the process of developing a new Tourism Policy to support sustainable tourism throughout the country, while protecting our environment and natural resources. The government recently invited the public to have its say in what a sustainable tourism policy should entail.
The detailed survey – which includes opportunities to suggest “continued financial supports for solar” – can be found here. You have until April 26 to make your own priorities clear. Grab a coffee and have a go, we certainly will.
Investing in Irish solar panel systems can bring many benefits, including reduced energy bills, increased energy independence, and a reduced carbon footprint. If you are interested in installing a solar panel system, it is also worth exploring the different Irish grant options and green business loans available and seeking professional advice from one of our solar energy advisors.
Feel free to contact us for more information, we’re here to help.