Government of Bermuda Ministry of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy. Sustainable Development Department

Transcription

1 Government of Bermuda Ministry of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy Sustainable Development Department Caribbean Tourism Organization - Sustainable Tourism Conference Keeping the Right Balance: Sustaining our Resources April 16, 2012

2 Today s Approach Bermuda s sustainability through current or planned legislative and policy initiatives

3 Mandate of the Sustainable Development Department Foster a national decision making process that is holistic, integrated and reflects a vision for the future implications of today s decisions. Enable the development of Bermuda s Tourism product so that it is socially, economically and environmentally sensitive.

4 Bermuda s Profile Middle of Atlantic 21 sq. miles Bermuda 65K residents Rain 170 days/yr. 3,000/sq. mile Consumption tax base No sales tax Guyana 38,000 jobs 30% imported labour 580,000 visitors 5,700 beds

5 Economic Sustainability The Companies Act 1. 60% ownership by a Bermudian(s) 2. Some exemptions to this including hotels 3. Reduces undue foreign influence 4. Preserve an environment for Bermudian entrepreneurship 5. Change Advocates ; vulnerabilities associated with the current economic climate 6. Looking through an SD Lens.look long-term implications

6 Economic Sustainability Work Permit Term Limits 1. Historically imported labour on-island indefinitely 2. Expectations of long-term residency 3. Population growth; social implications 4. Our density is 9 th on the planet 5. Labour market dependent on imported labour 6. Limited to 3-year term with qualified options to renew

7 Cultural and Environmental Sustainability: World Heritage Site 1. St. George s: Cultural World Heritage Site Old colonial town and related fortifications 3. Preservation of our natural and built heritage 4. Begun in 1612, it s the oldest, continuous English town in the New World 5. Representative of original Bermudian architecture

8 2001 Historic Wrecks Act 1. Established an Historic Wrecks Authority to preserve, protect and safeguard Bermuda's underwater cultural heritage. 2. Wrecks are classified as a way to manage and control the archaeological and scientific examination of historic wrecks. 3. Authority s focus is legislative. Represent our interests related to scientific research, cultural resource management and tourism. 4. There is also a Custodian of Historic Wrecks, who classifies the wrecks and sites and issue licences.

9 Environmental Sustainability - Motor Car Act 1. One Car Per household 2. Speed Limit is 35 kph 3. Visitors are not permitted to rent or drive a car 4. Recent exception for condominium owners 5. Electric Vehicles are duty-free for residents

10 2010 Energy White Paper 1. Aggressive goals to decrease our reliance on fossil fuels. 2. Identifies need to prioritise the security, reliability, and sustainability of electricity supply. 3. Promotes responsible adoption of alternative and renewable energy technologies. 4. Encourages the competitive viability of independent power producers. 5. Outlines efforts for ongoing education campaigns from all players to improve public knowledge of energy efficiency. 6. Advocates conservation and reduction of energy, while increasing the use of renewables and other energy saving technologies.

11 The Bermuda Plan The 2008 Plan is the fifth and covers the entire Island with the exception of the City. 2. Purpose: to enable land use decisions making most effective use of our resources, protects our natural environment, promoting quality of life. 3. Outlines key trends in development and land use change in Bermuda over the last 10-15years. It provides projections for population and housing. 4. Used alongside the Residential and Commercial building codes. 5. An ancient, yet highly effective requirement is to mandate the inclusion of fresh water catchments on residential roof-tops and water storage tank. 6. One of our proudest and earliest sustainability policy requirements.

12 Economic Valuation of our Coral Reef 1. Bermuda s reefs: global importance, northernmost reef system, proximity to the Gulf Stream. 2. Valuation seeks to influence the structure and content of national policies; strengthen consideration of the marine environment. 3. Bermuda s economic success has impacted population density, demand for coastal development and pressure on the our natural resources, including the marine environment. 4. Valuation incorporates tourism, fisheries, amenity or associated surplus value on real estate, coastal protection, recreational and cultural values and research and educational values. 5. The estimated range: $488 million to $1.1 billion per year with an average annual value of $722 million or about 11% of Bermuda s GDP 6. Highly valuable ecosystem, worth conserving from an ecological, social and economic perspective.

13 Environmental Sustainability: Cahow Recovery Project 1. For close to 300 yrs this endemic bird, one of two; thought to be extinct 2. Ocean dwelling birds 3. Unique nesting sites rediscovered in 1950 s 4. Restoration efforts have evolved since then 5. Currently over 100 pairs (March 1, 2012) 6. Very few natural habitats Non-Such island, a nature reserve, with limited access

14 The Sargasso Sea Initiative 1. This N. Atlantic asset, nearly 2K miles wide, is described as The Golden Floating Rainforest of the Atlantic Ocean. Threatened by overfishing, dumped garbage and global climate change. 2. Lead member which also includes International Union for Conservation of Nature, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the World Wildlife Federation International. 3. As an Overseas Territory, the UK authorities are currently considering the Science Case designed to support establishing options for protection. 4. Next step will be to develop a cultural and an economic case and then to approach other Governments and international bodies to join us in considering protections for the Sea. 5. Relationship with the Pew Environmental Group; consider protections within our own 200 mile EEZ. 6. Broad stakeholder consultation regarding size, location, and nature of protections before identifying a range of options going forward.

15 Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 1. Blueprint for Bermuda s conservation, established in 2003 after 3 years of collaboration to develop guiding principles shape the aims, objectives and detailed work-plans. These principles recognise the importance of biodiversity to Bermuda s and her people. 3. Actions are supported by specific, and prioritised activities, or discrete practical tasks inter-related. 4. Outlines a framework for focusing resources and addressing the most pressing conservation issues 5. Targets are clearly defined, realistic and carefully prioritised with practical approaches for achieving and measuring outcomes. 6. The plan has stimulated a more focused, and coordinated approach to biodiversity conservation. 7. Provided opportunities to strengthen existing partnerships and projects, as well as to establish new ones beyond those currently concerned with conservation.

16 Protected Species Act 1. Established for the conservation, restoration, protection and propagation of plants and animals of Bermuda s threatened species. Uses the criteria in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. 2. The Minister may designate a protected area or declare any species of plant or animal a protected species to safeguard threatened species and protect our fragile natural resources. 3. Threats natural and man-made include loss of habitat, over-exploitation, disease, invasives, natural disasters and use of chemicals 4. Bermuda s caves contain many organisms not found anywhere else in the world. As a small jurisdiction, we need to do all that we can to protect our precious assets.

17 In Process 1. Tourism Plan 2. City of Hamilton Plan 3. Waterfront development 4. Infrastructure plan

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