Large scale mitigation action is required from all sectors to prevent irreversible consequences of climate change to the environment and its negative impacts to human quality of life. Given the energy-intensive nature of tourist accommodations in the Philippines, the hospitality sector’s participation in energy efficiency and conservation (EEC) presents a cost-effective means for carbon emission reduction. Social acceptance plays a central role unlocking this potential.
The study employed post-only correlation design in which the Zero Carbon Resorts (ZCR) project; a voluntary program aiding tourism SMEs reduce energy consumption through proper energy management and the use of appropriate technology denoted the ‘intervention’ while tourist accommodations providers in Coron, Palawan were assigned as (1) ‘Case Group’ for ZCR members, and (2) ‘Control Group’ for those that opted out of the program. Using data from a survey of facility managers in the locality, the study compared differences in EEC perceptions and practices, energy awareness as well as willingness to participate in EEC between groups using Mann Whitney U test. Pearson Chi-Square test was used to determine whether such perceptions and practices are associated with membership in the Zero Carbon Resorts program. Ordered Logistic Regression was employed to determine the factors that affect willingness to participate in EEC among tourist accommodation providers.
The research found that high energy expense in this sector is associated with the following: (1) provision of amenities, facilities and support services for guests’ comfort and convenience, (2) high dependence on the grid and prevalent use of generators as energy resource, (3) low penetration of renewable energy (RE) and energy efficient technology; and (4) lack of knowledgeable personnel within organizations.