The tourism industry in the Philippines is growing fast, bringing employment opportunities to the regions and strengthening the country's economy as a whole. However, what should be consciously monitored is the imprint that the rapid pace of economic development has on the fine fabrics of the environment.

Tourism, with its high demand for energy and large amounts of waste, accounts for a large part of the CO₂ emissions and thus leaves a big carbon Footprint on the biodiversity of the islands at the same time, costs for the companies in the travel efficiency of buildings and technologies.

Reducing energy consumption does not mean reduction of economic growth. On the contrary, CO₂ neutral resources and green technologies can be implemented in the in the running business and resorts and in the building of new ones and thus contribute to decreasing energy costs. Furthermore, added value can be created through establishing best practice showcases, stimulating local production of renewable materials, and through improving the capabilities of engineers, managers and staff of tourism business as well.

These changes will be addressed by three steps:  Reduce energy consumption, Replace inefficient technologies, Redesign buildings and systems. A best practice showcase, a Zero Carbon cottage, will be erected in Palawan area as a central outcome and flagship of the project, involving local key actors and enterprises.