ENERGY-CLIMATE TRANSITION IN TOURISM DESTINATIONS IN CROATIA

Abstract

Purpose – Developed urban destinations face problems such as uneven distribution of infrastructure, environmental degradation and pollution, increased energy demands, uneven distribution of water and food, lack of basic sanitation, etc. Scientists and experts are recognizing increasing problems and pressures related to urban tourism infrastructure (transportation, housing, water, electricity, and urban services), so destinations are increasingly opting for complete redesign, which involves high investment costs. In addition, due to greenhouse gas emissions, cities need to develop sustainable strategies for production and distribution, transportation, water management, urban planning, and the development of environmentally friendly hotels and other accommodation facilities. Therefore, Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAP) need to be developed to analyze the current situation and prepare actions for the best possible energy and climate transition in tourism. Methodology – By systematically linking current theoretical and scientific knowledge in the field of efficient energy use in tourism destinations, the paper provides an analysis of the Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAP) of tourism destinations in Primorsko-Goranska and Istrian County. SECAP is a strategic document for climate change adaptation at the local level. The content analysis method was used for the analysis of SECAP. The research question is whether tourism destinations in Primorsko-Goranska and Istrian County have developed SECAPs and whether they are ready to take actions to implement them. The identified threats or crisis climate events in the area of destinations are: sea level rise, heat waves, floods and prolonged rainy periods, and these impacts were analyzed according to the expected risk level. Findings – The results show that most destinations studied do not have a SECAP, and the paper provides guidance and suggestions for its implementation. For destinations to develop an integrated approach to promote quality of life and work, it is necessary to put into practice the guidelines of sustainable development with emphasis on climate change adaptation and energy efficiency improvement. Contribution - The SECAPs were developed through a participatory process involving all relevant local stakeholders to maximize understanding and acceptance of these plans. The authors propose measures that, according to the experience of other countries, can bring savings that do not require large financial resources, but presuppose a constant commitment through educational activities and the organization of workshops to raise awareness among all stakeholders. The contribution of the paper is to propose measures that help managers, decision makers, the population and other stakeholders of the destination to facilitate and accelerate the energy transition and reduce negative impacts on the environment.