What is the project about?

Raising Awareness on Energy Efficiency through Development of a Green Destination Model aims to support social, environmental and economic transformation in the field of sustainable tourism and contributing to community based socio-economic development through raising awareness on energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. The Green Destination Model to be developed and piloted in selected destination,Küçükköy (Ayvalık) is intended to be further replicated and scaled up across the country.

The four main components are as follows; i) analysing the current status of the destination in terms of energy efficiency and potential for attracting visitors as a sustainable tourism destination, ii) develop “Green Destination Model” to promote sustainable tourism development and increase renewable energy usage and energy efficiency in the pilot destination iii) carrying out capacity building and awareness raising activities on the use of renewable energy resources and energy efficiency in the pilot destination to contribute sustainable local economic development and iv) communication and visibility activities.

Enerjisa Enerji, Sabancı University and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have joined forces with this project to develop a “green destination model” and pilot efforts to infuse energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy and other sustainable practices into tourism businesses in Küçükköy, a promising tourism location along Turkey’s Aegean coast in the Ayvalik district, which already hosts one million visitors each year.

What has been the situation?

Energy efficiency practices constitute one of the main pillars of reduced energy consumption. Improved energy efficiency and further access to renewable energy resources, and clean and energy-efficient technologies are of major importance for sustainable development efforts including the climate action. As noted in the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2017-2023, the main goal is “to invest on renewable energy resources”. The plan also underlines the importance of energy efficiency efforts for sustainable development, and describes energy efficiency as an area that complements and cross-cuts strategic goals such as reduction of the burden of energy costs on economy, security of supply in energy, reduction of risks arising from reliance on exports, transition to a low-carbon economy, and environmental conservation.

From the perspective of the tourism industry, it is of utmost importance to improve energy efficiency, use renewable energy resources, develop sustainable energy policies, and mitigate the effects of the climate change. The 2023 Tourism Strategy highlights the importance of delving into environmentally friendly systems that consume minimum amount of energy and generate minimal waste, using natural resources. The global tourism and development trends point to the fact that it would be of great use to mainstream energy efficient practices for the tourism industry. The 2023 Tourism Strategy is also intended to create jobs and generate income for all segments of the society based on well-balanced conservation and use of strategic, natural, cultural, historical and geographical assets, leading to growth in tourism revenues. To this end, some efforts are exerted to devise different types of tourism in line with the principles of economic, cultural, social and environmental sustainability, and focus on the aspect of tourism that promotes local economic growth based on a community-based approach. Under the title of 3.16 Eco-Tourism Destinations set out as a part of planned development of nature-based tourism, which is one of the main strategies in the 2023 Tourism Strategy, it is intended to mainstream eco-tourism with full respect to biodiversity and natural assets in consideration of the sustainability principles. It also underlines the importance of creating energy-efficient destinations that rely on renewable energy resources.

What is our mission?

Our mission is to support social, environmental and economic transformation in the field of sustainable tourism and contributing to community based socio-economic development through raising awareness on energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources in Küçükköy, Ayvalık.

How are we doing this?

Through this project it is intended to;

• analyze the current state of a tourism destination from the perspective of sustainable tourism and energy efficiency and conduct a destination-based needs analysis,
• identify areas for improvement with respect to increasing usage of renewable energy resources and sustaining energy efficiency,
• carry out capacity building and awareness-raising activities on the use of renewable energy resources and energy efficient applications in the selected destination (Certified Energy Manager trainings, and training courses on consultancy for energy management certification systems such as ISO50001, ecological sustainability, responsible consumption and production, reduction of carbon footprint, climate action and energy, smart irrigation methods, and gender equality etc.),
• draw up a roadmap for energy efficiency improvements by conducting energy audits for the use of
• renewable energy in the selected destination and design a Green Destination Model that can be replicated and scaled up.
• raise awareness on increasing the usage of renewable energy resources and sustaining energy efficiency especially in tourism businesses.
• Increase children’s awareness on energy efficiency through “Energy Hunters Platform”
• Increase energy sector companies’ role in integrating the SDGs into their corporate policies

How will Turkey benefit?

The project will raise awareness on energy efficiency and use of renewable energy resources through development of a Green Destination Model that will be replicated and scaled up across the country.

The project is also intended to offer inputs for the actions related to cross-cutting areas, buildings and services, industry and technology, energy, transportation and agriculture to be achieved by 2023 as a part of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan and project will directly or indirectly contribute to all of the strategic goals set out in the Energy Efficiency Strategy Paper 2010-2023.

The project is also in line with the 2023 Tourism Strategy that highlights the importance of delving into environmentally friendly systems that consume minimum amount of energy and generate minimal waste, using natural resources.