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Sectors

Tourism and Travel

About this sector

Based on its contribution to global gross domestic product, the number of people it employs, and the number of clients it serves, tourism has been described as the world’s largest industry. In 2008 these figures were 9.5% of global GDP, over 200 million jobs – one in 13 of all jobs worldwide – 924 million international travellers in 2008, and perhaps 10 times the number of domestic travellers.
The industry forms one of the top five export earners in 150 countries, and is particularly important for developing countries. For the world’s 40 poorest countries, tourism is second to oil as a source of foreign exchange.

Impacts

Tourism facilities and infrastructure can threaten natural and important habitats.
Excessive use of natural resources, such as fresh water, energy and food can threaten supplies and lead to pollution through waste.
Tourist behaviour can threaten species and ecosystems (introduction of invasive alien species, harvesting of wild species for souvenirs).

Opportunities/Risks

The rise in demand for nature-based and eco-tourism creates business opportunities that can be tied with wildlife conservation.
Consumer awareness of ethical and environmental issues creates markets for responsible tourism.
Environmental impacts can limit access to capital insurance and incur legal risks.
Brand and reputation are strongly influenced by a company’s environmental performance.

Case Studies

Global Coral Reef Conservation Project

Since 2005, we have collaborated with research institutes on an array of research designed to preserve coral reefs, in addition to engaging in similar research around the Midway Atoll and Seychelles islands since 2006.

Handling of the Yamato River water quality improvement support time deposit “Yamato River Time Deposit”

This project is based on the “Yamato River time deposit”, a product marketed by Yamato Shinkin Bank and designed to improve the water quality of the Yamato River, which flows through the basin of Nara. Additional interest is paid to deposits when prescribed improvements are seen in water quality, specifically the BOD (biological oxygen demand) levels.

Takao 100 years-Forest Project

This project involves the acquisition, restoration and conservation of a nearly 50-hectare tract of forest in the town of Takao in Hachioji, Tokyo. In 2006, Sagawa Express undertook this project to secure and protect this robust ecosystem as a means of contributing to society while exploring the many possibilities of satoyama woodlands.

Competitive advantage: Addressing barriers to sustainable supply – conserving pollinators (Sainsburys & Carrefour)

Thirty five percent of the global food production from plants benefits from animal pollination. The value of all this ranges from $112 billion to $200 billion annually. Bees are in decline globally, linked to escalating levels of pollution, disease, and loss ofhabitat.

Competitive advantage: Nestlé’s Nespresso Sustainable quality programme for coffee

The Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality™ Coffee Program aims to stabilise the supply chain and safeguard the long-term supply of the highest quality coffee. It promotes environmental sustainability and social responsibility on the farms that produce coffee for Nespresso's gourmet espresso capsules...

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Tools and Mechanisms

Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)

http://bio.org/ip/international

BIO is the world's largest biotechnology organization, providing advocacy, business development and communications services for more than 1,150 members worldwide. BIO engages in the discussions on a possible patent law harmonization treaty within WIPO, the WTO TRIPS process, as well is actively engaged in the deliberations of the Intergovernmental Committee on Folklore, Traditional Knowledge and Genetic Resources of the World Intellectual Property Organization and in various forums within the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

The Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

http://www.fao.org/agriculture/crops/core-themes/t...

The aim of this Portal is to foster the implementation of the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (GPA). It provides access to a wide range of information, including funding sources, regarding activities in the field of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA).

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

http://www.ecotourism.org

TIES promotes the development of ecotourism by providing guidelines, standards, training, technical assistance, research, and publications on sustainable ecotourism. TIES' global network of ecotourism professionals and travelers contributes to making tourism a viable tool for conservation, the protection of bio-cultural diversity, and sustainable community development.

International Council for Local Initiatives (ICLEI)

http://www.iclei.org

ICLEI is an international association of local governments as well as national and regional local government organizations who have made a commitment to sustainable development. ICLEI provides technical consulting, training, and information services to build capacity, share knowledge, and support local government in the implementation of sustainable development at the local level

Institute for Nature Conservation and Biodiversity (ICNB)

http://portal.icnb.pt/ICNPortal/vEN2007

The ICNB is part of the Portuguese Ministry for the Environment, and is the governmental body responsible for nature conservation and biodiversity policies as well as the management of Protected Areas.