Germany – Event services – ClimaHost – 3rd Alpine-wide Competition – Climate Protection and Energy Efficiency in the Hotel Industry and Tourist Accommodation

Opportunity description

The climate and biodiversity crises have become some of the greatest challenges of our time. Temperatures in the Alps are rising almost twice as fast as in the rest of the Northern Hemisphere. The consequences are already having a noticeable impact on the Alpine environment: an increasing risk of natural hazards, the decline of habitats for native animal and plant species, and changes in the water balance are shaping the region. To protect the Alps, the Alpine Convention entered into force in 1995 as a legally binding treaty under international law. To implement the holistic policy required by the Alpine Convention, the Contracting Parties adopted 9 Protocols, including the Tourism Protocol. As an instrument for implementing the Alpine Convention and its Protocols, the 4th Multi-Annual Work Programme (MAP) 2023–2030 of the Alpine Conference also sets out a vision for the Alps as a model region for sustainable living. It aims to promote joint activities in selected priority areas of cooperation. It extends beyond the customary 6 years through 2030 and aligns with important national and international climate, biodiversity and development goals, such as the EU’s 2030 climate targets, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The current framework for cooperation within the Alpine Convention through 2030 is based on three thematic priorities that are mutually dependent and influence one another: biodiversity and ecosystems, climate change, and quality of life. All 3 priorities are also linked to the impacts of tourism. The challenges that were at the heart of the preceding 3 MAPs of the Alpine Conference, such as dependence on tourism and the development toward sustainable forms of tourism, remain highly relevant. With well over 100 million visitors p.a., tourism, as an important economic factor in the Alpine region, makes a significant contribution to the prosperity of the population. Given this enormous economic importance, climate change is hitting the region particularly hard. Many hotels tailor their offerings to seasonal activities and are therefore dependent on climatic conditions. At the same time, through their own energy consumption, they themselves also contribute to global warming. Yet many hotels could use energy more efficiently and thereby contribute to climate protection. It is therefore necessary to develop sustainable tourism offerings that focus on experiencing and preserving this unique natural and cultural region. In recent years, it has become apparent that many businesses are already aware of their role and have implemented innovative approaches to operational environmental and climate protection. This commitment is to be made visible. Based on the Alpine-wide “ClimaHost” competitions of 2018/19 and 2021/22, a 3rd international climate protection competition is to be held for this purpose, aimed at accommodation establishments from the Alpine region that implement innovative and holistic energy-efficiency and climate-protection measures. In addition to measures such as energy-related modernizations or the use of innovative technologies, sustainable procurement or raising awareness among employees and guests of climate-protection concerns, for example, should also be taken into account. What is important is a coherent overall concept, the innovative content of the measures, and their transferability to other businesses in the Alpine region. Exemplary businesses committed to reconciling tourism offerings with climate protection are to receive awards. The competition aims to specifically promote climate-protection and sustainability efforts in Alpine tourism, publicize good examples throughout the Alpine region, and support innovative businesses in their commitment. The results are intended to encourage other companies to implement climate-protection measures and trigger an imitation effect. Procedure: open. Estimated value: 210,000 EUR. Review the original TED notice for the complete requirement, lots, amendments and attachments.