Demonstrating the adoption and linkages of global best available practices and technologies (BAPs/BATs) in reducing land based pollution in the Collaborative Actions for Sustainable Tourism (COAST) Project in Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania

Abstract

The Collaborative Actions for Sustainable Tourism (COAST) Project is a five-year project funded by GEF with the UNEP as implementing agency; and the UNIDO as executing agency in partnership with the UNWTO. Its main objective is to demonstrate and support the adoption of BAPs/BATs approaches for sustainable tourism that reduces the degradation of marine and coastal environments of trans-boundary significance in its nine sub-Saharan African partner countries. The project has three interlinked themes, Ecotourism, Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and Reef and Marine Recreation Management (RMRM). The project seeks to produce BAPs/BATs adoption models that can be replicated at a national and/or regional scale that includes: measures to control Land Based Pollution, diversification of the local economy and Public Private Partnerships for efficient use of resources. These models will have a results based framework, robust baseline data, cross-cutting linkages, institutional partnerships, capacity building, knowledge sharing and monitoring and evaluation exercises. A global review was conducted to refine the COAST Project's BAPs/BATs definition, resulting to adoption of positive impact, partnership and sustainability as its main results criteria. Analysis of the review and initial implementation showed that Small and Medium Enterprises from local communities, informal business and civil societies are vital in promoting Ecotourism activities. While strong quantitative and scientific baseline data are important factors in implementing EMS and RMRM activities. Cross-cutting linkages includes a process based approach, utilization of science based tools, spatial mapping, prioritization of conservation management tools, participatory resource assessments and linkages to local knowledge, private sector and the government.