Content : Environment
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There are a number of EU environmental measures which are relevant to the hospitality industry:
- The EU eco-label for tourist accommodation services is awarded to hotels which fulfill specific criteria with regard to energy and water consumption, waste production, and the use of chemical substances;
- The EU eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) is open to companies which adopt an environmental policy and regularly carry out environmental audits;
- Directive on environmental impact assessment (1985/337, amended by Directive 1997/11) establishes a framework for carrying out such assessment for various types of public and private projects, including hotel complexes;
- Directive on packaging and packaging waste (1994/62, amended by Directive 2004/12) requires Member States to prevent the formation of packaging waste. Member States decide themselves how this objective is met; in certain countries households and companies are required to assist recycling by sorting packaging waste into different categories.
The EU Commission founded, in 2004, a Tourism Sustainability Group which consists of tourism stakeholders (industry, trade unions, tourism institutes, government representatives, etc). The group was tasked with discussing ways of promoting tourism sustainability. It started its work at the beginning of 2005 and has formulated its proposals and recommendations in the form of a report in February 2007. On the basis of this report, the European Commission is expected to present a proposal for an “Agenda for a sustainable and competitive European Tourism” by September 2007.
There are measures currently under discussion with regard to the environmental impact of air transport. This could have an impact on tourism demand, and thus affect the hospitality industry indirectly.
HOTREC position
A clean environment represents an asset for the tourism industry and for hospitality enterprises. In this regard can initiatives which help companies improve their environmental performance make a positive contribution. It is important that eco-labeling schemes are voluntary and that they are developed in close consultation with the industry.
HOTREC does not promote the EU eco-label over and above any national or regional eco-label. I t is up to each national association to decide whether it wants to recommend the scheme to its own members.