Towards Islands of Sustainability

1. Towards Islands of Sustainability Energy Self Supply for the Tourism Island of Spiekeroog in 2030 Thesis supervisors: Mikael Backman, Han Brezet Maria Petrasova, Budapest, CEU, June 14, 2010

2. Outline • C2CI project • Research problem & research question • Research methods • Theoretical & analytical framework • Evaluation of future scenarios • Conditions for transition • Introduction • Methodology • Current situation on Spiekeroog • Future visions & scenarios • Roadmap • Recommendations

3. Small Islands as “islands of sustainability” Small size & isolated context microcosms - laboratories for sustainability . • Islands of sustainability – bottom-up approach towards SD Significant challenges: sustainability problems more urgent Great opportunities: cells of innovations & frontrunners

4. Introduction Cradle to cradle islands (C2CI) • Cradle to Cradle concept • Aim: innovative sustainable solutions in: water, energy & materials • 6 countries • Partnership: • 10 islands • 12 design & educational organisations

5. Research problem • Ambitious policy goals and future visions • C2CI goal – in 30 years • Dutch Wadden Sea islands – in 2020 • Spiekeroog – energy self supply in 2030 • How to make a transition & achieve these goals? • Samsø example: totally self-sufficient in electricity produced by different local renewable sources • Other islands like mass tourism island Spiekeroog: much more tourists & local limitations for new energy generation

6. Research question: Aim: • To explore how to make transition of tourism island Spiekeroog towards energy self-sufficiency by 2030 through significant reduction of energy (electricity) consumption • Which insights – particularly in terms of a roadmap – can be gained for future sustainable energy systems, using the backcasting approach as a tool and Spiekeroog C2C Island as a case study?

7. Research methods Literature review Expert & stakeholders consultations Study visit & stakeholders interviews Creativity & backcasting workshop

8. Theories of system transition

9. Drivers for structural change ? Future scenarios ? Necessary changes ? Analytical framework: essential elements for roadmap environment Macro trends Future goal & vision ? regime Stakeholders’ interactions Current state ? niche 2010 2020 2030

10. Current situation: Spiekeroog in general • Second smallest East Frisian island • Population: 803 inhabitants • Area: 19 km2 (≈17 km2 protected area) Spiekeroog

11. Largest European wetland area • Largest mudflats world-wide • High biological productivity & natural dynamics

12. Tourism on Spiekeroog • Tourism since 1820! • Tourism: main source of income: 98 % • Mass tourism destination: March-October, Christmas • Typical tourists: families with children & seniors • Generations of tourists (≈ 70 % are coming regularly) Nature Old village (1600) – world heritage

13. Energy system of Spiekeroog • Electricity: cable from mainland, turbine & solar • Current local production 9 % • With new turbine - expected production 47% • Heat: pipe with natural gas from the mainland • Transport: ferries; free of cars; e-cars; bicycle: only inhabitants

14. Current situation: • Limited possibilities & opportunities to produce more electricity based on local renewable sources – nature & old buildings, main economical resources (valuable for tourists) under the Government protection • Many old historical buildings – difficult & expensive to renovate • Islanders very sensitive to any changes – can badly affect tourism development – only one economical activity on the island • Local people quite wealthy – tourists can be only one considerable motivation to change

15. Future vision: • Self-sufficiency in the use of renewable energy in the future • only without any visual damage Future goal: - 50% electricity demand reduction of electricity demand Electricity demand new electricity production 2010 2030 years

16. Future scenarios • new tourists: active pensioners and workers • stay longer – combine work & pleasure; • more community based services • renovation of existing buildings to eco-buildings • low-energy appliances • smart houses & grid • side demand management measures • tourists-residents interactions • less more exclusive tourists – the same income • diversification of local economical activities • more self sufficient in many regards

17. Conditions for transition Renewable - unattractive Competitive market for green innovations Own sustainability Motivation to replace inefficient equipment Luxury tourism services Sustainable behavior Residents’ passive position Building renovations Networks Green tourists feedback & marketing Information& learning

18. Roadmap:Energy Self Supply for Spiekeroog in 2030 System transition curve Pre-development & take-off Acceleration phase Stabilization

19. Roadmap • Predevelopment and take-off (2010-2014) • necessary conditions are created and the transition starts • changes are not very visible • actions: demonstration and pilot projects raising awareness, providing information and diffusing knowledge through new networks → learning processes among residents and tourists • Acceleration phase (2015-2025) • visible changes • sustainable innovations becoming part of everyday life and common practice for the islanders and tourists • actions to stimulate healthy competitions in tourism businesses for ‘green’ innovations by different benchmarking and awards schemes • Stabilization phase (2026-2030)

20. Recommendations • Future vision – green and low energy demanding island • ‘Shame and name’ list for tourism businesses • Demonstration projects: • renovation of holiday house to low-energy or energy plus house; • renovation of old historical building; • two renovated buildings equipped with smart metering & optimized into smart house and micro grid;

21. Recommendations • More information • information & knowledge about different sustainable solutions – easily available & demonstrative • current national policies & EU programs in area of innovations & EE • Local eco-certification scheme in tourism sector: • annually revised criteria, monitoring & control, • raising awareness & educating residents and tourists, • green feedbacks & different tourist-islanders interactions through smart metering, benchmarking schemes & other awards • green marketing & climate friendly holidays • new & existing networks

22. Thank you for your attention!Any questions or comments?