A non-intrusive fun filled Action Day at a hotel where a team of “Energy Detectives” (max 25 pupils) from a school in the area , will take energy measurements on their premises. Topics covered: water, electricity (appliances & lighting), waste and means of travel. Further activities for Action Day: Food preparation with a parabolic solar cooker by the chef of the hotel for the Energy Detective Team. A parabolic solar cooker is already donated and will become the property of the school afterwards. Immediate benefits for the Hotel: 1.Contribute to sustainable education (social responsibility), which can be used as a marketing tool; 2.Getting positive media exposure/free advertisement through Action Day participation; 3.Energy audit and measure- ments of hotel taken with very little cost input (i.e. time of chef, time of personnel to answer questions) expected. Longer term benefits for the Hotel: 1.Holms and Friends will verify the results of the energy audit and make recommendations on potential areas of improvement. Should there be existing/on-going measurements and or improvements going, these will be taken into account. A priority list with cost and effect (including Life Cycle Costing) will be provided; 2.Results of implementing recommendations can have the benefit of creating an image in the “Green Tourism” (Responsible Tourism) industry; plus being able to sell this as a marketing image; 3.Operational cost reduction through a radical step change in resource use.

Problem

The tourism sector has come into the international spotlight over the recent years as this is an industry where much needs to be changed regarding the sustainable use of available resources. Although accommodation has only a 22% share of the environmental footprint, it has become necessary for tourism to gear itself towards a more responsible and sustainable future. The international trend for patrons to evaluate accommodation before making a booking is becoming popular in South Africa as well. In a dry country like ours where water will soon be the bigger life threatening crises than electricity, there is no excuse for tourism to consume 6 – 10 times more water than the comparative international accommodation. Lastly, it makes business sense for all South African businesses to reduce their resource demand and become cost effective. This project will not end after the Action Day. The Energy Detectives will report back to the rest of their grade at school, making the Energy Detective Team bigger as to repeat the same exercise at the school again. This will help the school on their way to sustainable development as well. Holms and Friends will help grow a new generation of conscious people (from schools) who will hopefully introduce this way of living into their own households as well.

Solution

Our services offered to Hotel: When bringing our extensive experience of more than 20 years in the renewable energy field to their advantage, will guarantee a result of successful adapting sustainable energy practices in their business. Measurements and assessment with very low input costs involved. Free advertisement. Marketing opportunities (contribute to education, steps taken by them towards responsible tourism). Savings. Our services offered to School: Teaching children valuable lessons of resource use, saving energy and taking responsibility of our environment,  Practical learning activities that can be integrated into the school curriculum. Practical learning of students through participation in energy measurements taken. Exposure to worksheets and documentation for curriculum integration on sustainable development in a variety of subjects taught. Saving on school’s operating costs.

Example

A non-intrusive fun filled Action Day at a chosen hotel where a team of “Energy Detectives” (maximum 25 students) from a school in their area, will take energy measurements on their premises. Already prepared work sheets for the topics of: water, electricity (appliances & lighting), waste and means of travel will be used. Further activities for Action Day: Food preparation with a parabolic solar cooker by the chef of your hotel for the Energy Detective Team (± 25 students). A parabolic solar cooker is already donated and will become the property of the school afterwards. RESULTS OF ACTION DAY: Hotel - All measurements taken to be analyzed & processed into an energy recommendation report by Holms and Friends, hopefully resulting in actions taken by the hotel towards sustainable tourism and implementation of energy saving systems.The Energy Detective Team share their experience with rest of grade learners, forming a bigger ED Team that repeats the same exercise for the school. Working together with teachers to implement working and project sheets on different topics, integrating it into several different school subjects, putting the school on the road to a sustainable way of performing their important task of education.

Marketplace

There are not any such a project running in South Africa yet. There is an NGO called WESSA (Wildlife & Environmental Society of SA) that has been running an eco schools programme (supported by WWF), not compulsory to any school, which promotes environmental protection.