Government of Bermuda Ministry of Environment, Planning ... · 3. Promotes responsible adoption of...
Transcript of Government of Bermuda Ministry of Environment, Planning ... · 3. Promotes responsible adoption of...
Caribbean Tourism Organization - Sustainable Tourism Conference
“Keeping the Right Balance: Sustaining our Resources”
Government of Bermuda
Ministry of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy
Sustainable Development Department
April 16, 2012
Government of Bermuda - Sustainable Development Department
13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development April 2012
Today’s Approach
Bermuda’s
sustainability
through current
or planned
legislative and
policy initiatives
Mandate of the Sustainable Development Department
Foster a national decision making process that is holistic, integrated
and reflects a vision for the future implications of today’s decisions.
Enable the development of Bermuda’s Tourism product so that it is
socially, economically and environmentally sensitive.
Government of Bermuda - Sustainable Development Department
13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development April 2012
The choices we make today influence the quality
of our product and the quality of life in Bermuda.
Government of Bermuda - Sustainable Development Department
13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development April 2012
Bermuda
Guyana
• Middle of Atlantic
• 21 sq. miles
• 65K residents
• Rain 170 days/yr.
• 3,000/sq. mile
• Consumption tax base
• No sales tax
• 38,000 jobs
• 30% imported labour
• 580,000 visitors
• 5,700 beds
Bermuda’s Profile
Government of Bermuda - Sustainable Development Department
13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development April 2012
Economic Sustainability – The Companies Act
1. 60% ownership by a Bermudian(s)
2. Some exemptions to this including hotels
3. Reduces undue foreign influence
4. Preserve an environment for Bermudian
entrepreneurship
5. Change Advocates ; vulnerabilities associated with the current economic climate
6. Looking through an SD Lens….look long-term implications
Government of Bermuda - Sustainable Development Department
13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development April 2012
Economic Sustainability – Work Permit Term Limits
1. Historically imported labour on-island indefinitely
2. Expectations of long-term residency
3. Population growth; social implications
4. Our density is 9th on the planet
5. Labour market dependent on imported labour
6. Limited to 3-year term with qualified
options to renew
Government of Bermuda - Sustainable Development Department
13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development April 2012
Cultural and Environmental
Sustainability:
World Heritage Site
1. St. George’s: Cultural World Heritage Site 2000
2. Old colonial town and related fortifications
3. Preservation of our natural and built heritage
4. Begun in 1612, it’s the oldest, continuous
English town in the New World
5. Representative of original Bermudian architecture
Government of Bermuda - Sustainable Development Department
13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development April 2012
2001 Historic Wrecks Act
1. Established an Historic Wrecks Authority to preserve, protect and
safeguard Bermuda's underwater cultural heritage.
2. Wrecks are ‘classified’ as a way to manage and control the
archaeological and scientific examination of historic wrecks.
3. Authority’s focus is legislative. Represent our interests related to
scientific research, cultural resource management and tourism.
4. There is also a Custodian of Historic Wrecks, who classifies the
wrecks and sites and issue licences.
Government of Bermuda - Sustainable Development Department
13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development April 2012
1. One Car Per household
2. Speed Limit is 35 kph
3. Visitors are not permitted to rent or drive a car
4. Recent exception for condominium owners
5. Electric Vehicles are duty-free for residents
Environmental Sustainability - Motor Car Act
Government of Bermuda - Sustainable Development Department
13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development April 2012
1. Aggressive goals to decrease our reliance on fossil fuels.
2. Identifies need to prioritise the security, reliability, and sustainability
of electricity supply.
3. Promotes responsible adoption of alternative and renewable energy
technologies.
4. Encourages the competitive viability of independent power
producers .
5. Outlines efforts for ongoing education campaigns from all players to
improve public knowledge of energy efficiency .
6. Advocates conservation and reduction of energy, while increasing
the use of renewables and other energy saving technologies.
2010 Energy White Paper
Government of Bermuda - Sustainable Development Department
13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development April 2012
1. The 2008 Plan is the fifth and covers the entire Island with the exception of
the City.
2. Purpose: to enable land use decisions making most effective use of our
resources, protects our natural environment, promoting quality of life.
3. Outlines key trends in development and land use change in Bermuda over
the last 10-15years. It provides projections for population and housing.
4. Used alongside the Residential and Commercial building codes.
5. An ancient, yet highly effective requirement is to mandate the inclusion of
fresh water catchments on residential roof-tops and water storage tank.
6. One of our proudest and earliest sustainability policy requirements.
The Bermuda Plan 2008
Government of Bermuda - Sustainable Development Department
13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development April 2012
Economic Valuation of our Coral Reef
1. Bermuda’s reefs: global importance, northernmost reef system, proximity to the Gulf Stream.
2. Valuation seeks to influence the structure and content of national policies; strengthen consideration
of the marine environment.
3. Bermuda’s economic success has impacted population density, demand for coastal development
and pressure on the our natural resources, including the marine environment.
4. Valuation incorporates tourism, fisheries, amenity or associated surplus value on real estate,
coastal protection, recreational and cultural values and research and educational values.
5. The estimated range: $488 million to $1.1 billion per year with an average annual value of $722
million or about 11% of Bermuda’s GDP
6. Highly valuable ecosystem, worth conserving from an ecological, social and economic perspective.
Government of Bermuda - Sustainable Development Department
13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development April 2012
Environmental Sustainability:
Cahow Recovery Project
1. For close to 300 yrs this endemic bird, one of two;
thought to be extinct
2. Ocean dwelling birds
3. Unique nesting sites rediscovered in 1950’s
4. Restoration efforts have evolved since then
5. Currently over 100 pairs (March 1, 2012)
6. Very few natural habitats
Non-Such island, a nature reserve, with limited access
Government of Bermuda - Sustainable Development Department
13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development April 2012
1. This N. Atlantic asset, nearly 2K miles wide, is described as “The Golden Floating Rainforest of the
Atlantic Ocean”. Threatened by overfishing, dumped garbage and global climate change.
2. Lead member which also includes International Union for Conservation of Nature, Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institution and the World Wildlife Federation International.
3. As an Overseas Territory, the UK authorities are currently considering the Science Case – designed
to support establishing options for protection.
4. Next step will be to develop a cultural and an economic case and then to approach other
Governments and international bodies to join us in considering protections for the Sea.
5. Relationship with the Pew Environmental Group; consider protections within our own 200 mile EEZ.
6. Broad stakeholder consultation regarding size, location, and nature of protections before identifying
a range of options going forward.
The Sargasso Sea Initiative
Government of Bermuda - Sustainable Development Department
13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development April 2012
Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
1. Blueprint for Bermuda’s conservation, established in 2003 after 3 years of collaboration to develop.
2. 27 guiding principles shape the aims, objectives and detailed work-plans. These principles recognise
the importance of biodiversity to Bermuda’s and her people.
3. Actions are supported by specific, and prioritised activities, or discrete practical tasks – inter-related.
4. Outlines a framework for focusing resources and addressing the most pressing conservation issues
5. Targets are clearly defined, realistic and carefully prioritised with practical approaches for achieving
and measuring outcomes.
6. The plan has stimulated a more focused, and coordinated approach to biodiversity conservation.
7. Provided opportunities to strengthen existing partnerships and projects, as well as to establish new
ones beyond those currently concerned with conservation.
Government of Bermuda - Sustainable Development Department
13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development April 2012
Protected Species Act
1. Established for the conservation, restoration, protection and propagation of plants and
animals of Bermuda’s threatened species. Uses the criteria in the International Union for the
Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.
2. The Minister may designate a protected area or declare any species of plant or animal a
protected species to safeguard threatened species and protect our fragile natural resources.
3. Threats – natural and man-made – include loss of habitat, over-exploitation, disease,
invasives, natural disasters and use of chemicals
4. Bermuda’s caves contain many organisms not found anywhere else in the world. As a small
jurisdiction, we need to do all that we can to protect our precious assets.
Government of Bermuda - Sustainable Development Department
13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development April 2012
1. Tourism Plan
2. City of Hamilton Plan
3. Waterfront development
4. Infrastructure plan
In Process
Government of Bermuda - Sustainable Development Department
13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development April 2012
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