Kakadu > About NT > Responsible Tourism
Enhancing environmental sustainability
Northern Territory tourism businesses are working with the Government to address the critical issue of climate change. The Northern Territory’s tropical and desert climates are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and the tourism industry is heavily dependent on nature-based, outdoor attractions and activities. It is vital that the NT leads the way in protecting its environment by minimising the impact of tourism activities.
Reducing Carbon Emissions
Reducing carbon emissions is a key component of becoming a more environmentally sustainable tourism industry. Within the Northern Territory, remote tourism operators, traditionally dependent on fossil fuels, can now access financial assistance from both the Australian and NT Governments to make the transition to renewable energy systems through the ‘Make the Switch’ program.
Tourism operators are encouraged to protect the NT’s natural assets by updating their business practices to reduce and offset carbon emissions, and the Northern Territory Government continues to explore opportunities to develop carbon abatement and carbon offset schemes.
Future tourism developments
The development of sustainable tourism sites within the Northern Territory, to meet the future needs of visitors, is also being addressed through the NT Natural Partnership Initiative. The aim of Natural Partnerships is to attract quality investment in national parks and protected areas by making investment in tourism infrastructure in the NT easier for suitable, environmentally sustainable development projects.
Preservation of Culture
Indigenous culture is a major drawcard for a large number of visitors to the Northern Territory. The NT Government is creating an Indigenous Tourism Development Plan aimed at identifying ways to establish authentic and sustainable indigenous tourism enterprises within the Northern Territory. These initiatives are designed to support and preserve the ancient cultures of Aboriginal communities, while providing a source of sustainable economic and social independence.
Industry Accreditation
Accreditation is another key element in moving the tourism industry towards a responsible and sustainable future. There are many benefits to operators who are meet accreditation standards, including marketing incentives and reduced public liability insurance premiums.
Controlling Wildfires on the Arnhem Land Plateau
Indigenous rangers working with scientists and Bushfires NT have made remarkable progress in recent years in controlling wildfires on the Arnhem Land Plateau. The rangers are using their traditional knowledge together with high-tech satellite information and helicopters.
The plateau has hundreds of indigenous rock-art sites, including those of Kakadu National Park, and is home to plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. The wildfires have been damaging art sites and habitats. NT rangers have dramatically reduced the area of the plateau scorched by wildfires, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions from the region – by an amount equivalent to removing 30,000 cars from the roads every year.
