Building Energy Autonomous Resorts Creating Appropriate Technology Solutions

December 2011

To fight plastic and polysterene packaging the Zero Carbon Resort Project has launched a competition: ZERO CARBON MEAL. Traditional packaging solutions use indigenous materials that offer outstanding functionalities throughout centuries without negative consequences for the environment. Knowledge about these technologies is still available but about to disappear. The challenge of this competition is to rediscover traditional knowledge and to transform it into modern design solutions. All participants will join the exciting journey to rediscover traditions and adapt them to today’s needs.

The competition is open until 20 January 2012. Everyone with the wish to contribute in protecting the environment by providing better solutions can join – however the project does not accept group or company entries. To have a chance to win the first price entries have to match six criteria: functionality (25%), low environmental impact (25%), local materials and production (20%), local expression (10%), reasonable cost (10%) and attractive aesthetics (10%). For detailed information on the competition please visit the ZCR Page.

June 2011

ZCR doesn't stop at reducing energy consumption, but continues. In the REPLACE phase of the ZERO CARBON RESORTS project, the savings from the previous REDUCE solutions will be invested on green technologies. Inefficient devices and technologies in hotels and resorts will be replaced by more efficient and environmentally friendly ones, thus saving costs and energy in a mid- and long-term. The head start to the REPLACE phase took place with the REPLACE Technology Professional Training Program, which was held in PCSD Sustainable Training Institute, Irawan, Puerto Princesa City last June 6 to 7, 2011.

The Project Lead, Dr. Robert Wimmer, started the program by welcoming the trainees and introducing the REPLACE strategies. Arch. Rowena Ramos of PhilGBC showed the availability of renewable energy in the Philippines, and Engr. Rhoda Roque of PCSD did the same for Palawan. Meanwhile, PSA CIEMAT's Dr. Guillermo Zaragoza discussed the potential of renewable energy in the Philippines and presented the principles for solar thermal collectors. Further presentations included technical inputs on solar energy for heat, lighting and cooling and its possibilities for implementation by Engr. Eric Raymundo of GrAT GrAT. A sumptuous dinner was prepared to conclude the first training day.

On the second day, Dr. Robert Wimmer presented the Demand-Supply Matching as a practice towards energy services optimization. The program also featured an introduction to efficient technologies and products in the Philippines by PhilGBC. Mr. Haresh Daswani introduced water saving equipment and calculations.
Some of ZCR Trainees also presented their researches and inventions that they have conducted. Engr. Jezrell Tuquero, together with Eng. Melchor Jaranilla, showed a solar water heater using rice husk as insulator. Eng. Jaranilla also presented the REED bed system, a natural method of filtering/treating of waste water. Engr. Ding Ocampo showed his project about LED using scrap materials which he called "Ilaw sa Basura"/ (light in the trash). Dr. Ramon Docto of PSU also presented a flat oil stove that uses plant oil. Ms. Juvy Perez from ASSIST shared what can be expected in the ZCR web-based interaction during the Replace Phase. The online database will provide the ZCR members with the compilation of energy- and water-saving products, as well as available appropriate technologies.
Another activity for the day was a workshop on a community purchase model, and dialogues for experience sharing among Frontier Group members. Frontier Group members, Mr. Butch Tan of Daluyon Beach and Mountain resort and Mr. Echague of the Island Front Cottage discussed the ZCR measures they have implemented in their respective establishments and how it has helped them lower their carbon emission, save costs, and invite more guests.

23/24 June 2011

European Union (EU) Ambassador Guy Ledoux, accompanied by EU delegate Matthieu Penot, visited the Zero Carbon Resorts (ZCR). During his two-day stay in Palawan, Ambassador Ledoux recognised the  progress of the ongoing ZCR project through presentations of team members. The delegates were hosted at the Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort, which is one of the ZCR Frontier Group members.  The overview of the project progress was given by the ZCR project manager Dr. Robert Wimmer and success stories from the project were presented by Mr. Butch Tan, the owner of Daluyon resort. Dr. Wimmer presented the background of the ZCR project, its accomplishments and the impacts that ZCR has achieved in the past year up to the present. Mr. Tan showed the total savings of his resorts from complying with the ZCR measures together with before-and-after photos. The Ambassador also gave a few words manifesting his joy about the progress of the ZCR project as well as the positive responses of the people in Palawan.
The event concluded with a dinner and a cultural dance performance by Sabang Elementary school children. Sabang elementary school is headed by one of the FG members, Mr. Dennis Aborot of Talisayan Restaurant, who will also be a recipient of the 1CImpact Pathways 1D- a new project brought about by the effect of ZCR to other institutions such as schools, community, and individual homes.

June 2011

The Department of Tourism (DOT) of the Philippines, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and GrAT (Center for Appropriate Technology) have expressed their commitment to the Zero Carbon Resorts (ZCR) project by signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on June 17, 2011.
DOT Secretary Alberto A. Lim and TIEZA representative Deputy General Manager of Infrastructure Sector Atty. Edgar T. Bocar inked the MOU with GrAT Managing Director and ZCR Project Lead, Dr. Robert Wimmer.
Under the MOU, the parties will more closely collaborate and maximise the synergy effect of the policy programmes and the ZCR project. Recognising the contributions of ZCR to the reduction of carbon footprint of the tourism industry by reducing energy and resource use as well as promoting greener solutions, DOT will encourage more tourism establishments to be connected with the ZCR project through briefing sessions. It also considers embracing the ZCR outputs in the formulation of the Green Label program and revision of the minimum standards for accreditation of the tourism establishments.
As part of the commitment, the establishments participating in the ZCR project and implementing the ZCR measures will also be acknowledged and promoted by DOT. Another action brought about by the partnership is the addition of three establishments of TIEZA to the Frontier Group (FG) of ZCR. These resorts and hotels are Balicasag Island Dive Resort, Banaue Hotel and Youth Hostel, and Malasag Mountain Resort. As FG members, these TIEZA hotels/resorts will obtain direct detailed assessment and monitoring of their energy and environment performances by the ZCR experts. The three parties look forward to a fruitful partnership which can help formulate a concrete measure in combating one of the causes of climate change and set a new eco-standard in the tourism sector of the country.

November 2010

The EU Switch-Asia project “Zero Carbon Resorts (ZCR)” embarked its proactive outreach strategy by holding a stakeholders conference at A&A Plaza Hotel in Puerto Princesa Palawan on 20th November, back to back with the Building Green conference 2010 held in Manila in advance. The ZCR event was organized by local Partners - Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) and Philippine Green Building Council (PhilGBC) in collaboration with the project lead - Center for Appropriate Technology (GrAT). The main theme and objectives of the conference were to disseminate the set of project outcomes accomplished in its first year which focused on the ‘Reduce’ phase, the first out of the 3R strategies (Reduce-Replace-Redesign): a series of briefing sessions, findings from the extensive energy audits on the Frontier Group hotels and resorts, suggestions for improvement in energy management not only for those audited organisations but also for other tourism establishments in Palawan and any parts of the Philippines. The event began with the welcome speech of the Councilor Jimmy Carbonell, on behalf of the City Mayor of Puerto Princesa. He stressed the efforts that the city government exerted to support the concept of zero carbon emissions and the existence of legislations advocating the said campaign. A reduction of the use of non-biodegradable materials in the city market is already being recognized. 

A number of informative presentations from international speakers were given to the audience, which consisted of about 70 resort/hotel owners and other stakeholders from regional community organisations. Throughout the full day conference the audience was able to walk through the aims and activities of the ZCR project and to obtain a blend of technical knowledge and practical solutions for own execution. Trainees shared their experience from the ZCR projects capacity building program and Resorts from the Frontier Group presented results and technical improvement measures that were already implemented.

March 2010

The ZCR project started with a Briefing Session tour in Palawan (Coron, Puerto Princesa and El Nido). More than 150 interested participants joined the 3 events; the project team introduced the project and the used methods. The technical experts from Europe present the basic technical concepts which will be used within the project. 

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The ZCR project has reached a new stage of its outreach strategy inviting more and more hotels and resorts to go green. We are happy to announce that more than 50 tourism specialists are now working on the field as ZCR Local Promoters after they have joined the Local Promoters’ Training in Puerto Princesa (Palawan) and Manila respectively. The aim of the training that was conducted by local and European experts was to share knowledge about the project´s unique method on how to improve the energy efficiency of tourism companies and to provide tools that encourage SMEs in joining the ZCR community. Handbooks, practical technical tips and easy guides to the ZCR web platform are available for all active members of the project.  For more information please visit us: www.zerocarbonresorts.eu