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Caribbean Tourism Organization - Sustainable Tourism Conference

“Keeping the Right Balance: Sustaining our Resources”

Government of Bermuda

Ministry of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy

Sustainable Development Department

April 16, 2012

Government of Bermuda - Sustainable Development Department

13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development April 2012

Today’s Approach

Bermuda’s

sustainability

through current

or planned

legislative and

policy initiatives

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.



The choices we make today influence the quality

of our product and the quality of life in Bermuda.



Bermuda

Guyana

• Middle of Atlantic

• 21 sq. miles

• 65K residents

• Rain 170 days/yr.

• 3,000/sq. mile

• Consumption tax base

• No sales tax

• 38,000 jobs

• 30% imported labour

• 580,000 visitors

• 5,700 beds

Bermuda’s Profile



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



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 9th on the planet

5. Labour market dependent on imported labour

6. Limited to 3-year term with qualified

options to renew



Cultural and Environmental

Sustainability:

World Heritage Site

1. St. George’s: Cultural World Heritage Site 2000

2. 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



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.



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

Environmental Sustainability - Motor Car Act



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.

2010 Energy White Paper



1. 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.

The Bermuda Plan 2008



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.



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



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.

The Sargasso Sea Initiative



Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

1. Blueprint for Bermuda’s conservation, established in 2003 after 3 years of collaboration to develop.

2. 27 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.



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.



1. Tourism Plan

2. City of Hamilton Plan

3. Waterfront development

4. Infrastructure plan

In Process



Contact Us

[email protected]

www.sdbermuda.bm

Questions……Comments

SUSTAIN BERMUDA

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.sdbermuda.bm/

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