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Asian Development Bank

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Nanping is protecting the beautiful natural environment and encouraging more sustainable tourism through the distribution of a low-carbon passport, with uptake of over 10,000 in the first 4 months.

With millions of tourists visiting the Wuyi Mountains every year to enjoy the beautiful scenery oœered by the local ecosystem, it made sense for the local government to encourage environmentally responsible tourism in the area. In December 2015, the low-carbon passport initiative was launched to encourage ecotourism. The scheme oœers tourists the opportunity to earn carbon credits on their travels in the region, and receive discounts on entry to various tourist attractions in return. In the first 4 months of the program, over 10,000 passports were distributed.

10K
LOW-CARBON PASSPORTS TAKEN UP IN THE FIRST 4 MONTHS OF THE SCHEME.

Further measures have also been taken in the region to encourage low-carbon tourism. One such measure is the introduction of improved green infrastructure and services, helping to provide more sustainable transport, shopping, hotel, and restaurant options. The local government has also put in place a financing mechanism to implement green measures in the area.

Climate_Yanping,_Nanping
To encourage environmentally responsible tourism in the area, Nanping has issued low-carbon passports to tourists (photo by Lie Wu).

The Challenge

In the Wuyi Mountain region, 40% of the GDP can be attributed to the tourism industry, with tourists growing by 12% and associated revenue by 27%. However, most of the tourists come to enjoy the natural environment, which, without careful management, is at risk of being ruined. By encouraging ecotourism, the local scenery can be preserved for future visitors.In the Wuyi Mountain region, 40% of the GDP can be attributed to the tourism industry, with tourists growing by 12% and associated revenue by 27%. However, most of the tourists come to enjoy the natural environment, which, without careful management, is at risk of being ruined. By encouraging ecotourism, the local scenery can be preserved for future visitors.

Co-Benefits

Economic The tourism industry accounts for 40% of Wuyi Mountain’s GDP, and revenues are growing 27% year-on-year. To ensure this growth is sustainable and long-term, it is important to safeguard the local environment.

Environment  The scheme encourages environmentally sustainable behavior, leading to reduced pollution, waste generation, and carbon emissions from the tourism industry.

Social The tourism industry supports a growing number of jobs in Nanping, which will be safeguarded through sustainable growth in the sector.