Energy saving and carbon reduction management indicators for natural attractions: a case study in Taiwan

Abstract

The growing impact of global warming has made energy saving and carbon reduction (ESCR) by natural attractions an important issue. A set of clear and defined ESCR management indicators could help manage and control attractions, thereby facilitating sustainable development at those places. This study consists of three sub-studies in Taiwan. The first adopted qualitative methods to review related literature and documents and interview experts from industry, government and academia, and thus constructed 35 ESCR management indicators of natural attractions under five domains and seven dimensions. The second sub-study utilised the analytic network process (ANP) to conduct a relative weight analysis of the management indicators and domains. The third sub-study further developed the management indicators into a field survey questionnaire. Four natural attractions were chosen to test the questionnaire and ensure the feasibility of the application of the management indicators. Key areas for improvement were revealed, including using buses to reduce carbon reduction, providing staff training on energy and environmental education and establishing detailed environmental policies and indicators. “Business policy and management” actually bore the highest weight and should be improved first. Positive interaction between tourists and operators is also essential. Suggestions are proposed for the application of these management indicators.

自然旅游目的地的能量节省和碳排放减低的衡量指标

全球热效应的增长影响使得自然景观的能量节省和碳排放减少(ESCR)成为一个重要的话题。一系列清楚定义的ESCR管理指标能够帮助管理和控制景观，因此协助这些地方的可持续性发展。该研究由在台湾做的三个小项目组成。第一个项目用质化方法来研究相关的文献和资料，还有采访了从产业，政府和学术界的专家们，由此提炼了五大领域和七个方面下的35个自然景观的ESCR管理指标。第二个项目使用了分析网络过程法(ANP)来进行对管理指标和领域的相关比重研究。第三个项目更进一步地将管理指标发展为实地调查问卷。四大自然景观点被选择来测试问卷和保证管理指标应用的可行性。一些主要的能改进的方面都被提到，包括使用公共汽车来减少碳排放量，提供员工关于能量和环境教育的培训，并且建立详细的环保政策和衡量指标。“商业政策和管理”测出具有最高的比重，应该首先来提高改善。旅游者和经营商之间正面的相关关系也是非常重要的。文章还提出了关于这些管理指标应用的建议。

Keywords:

• climate change
• ecotourism
• environmental management indicators
• tourism industry
• tourism impacts
• tourism attraction

关键词:

• 气候改变
• 生态旅游
• 环境指标
• 旅游业
• 旅游影响
• 旅游目的地

Acknowledgements

The authors thankfully acknowledge that this research was financially supported by the National Natural Science, Taiwan ROC (NSC 99–3113-S-237–001). The paper is part of the results of the study.