May 2024, 7>>
Riviera Zushi Marina, which was the first in Asia to receive the international environmental certification "Blue Flag" in 2022, has been certified as the second sustainable marina in Asia for the third consecutive year, and Riviera Seabornia Marina has also received the certification for the first time.
The Blue Flag is an international environmental certification system that evaluates sustainable beaches such as beaches and marina, which is the oldest in the world by the "International NGO FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education)" headquartered in Denmark. 17 goals of SDGs It is a program related to everything.
There are 4 categories (33) water quality, 6) environmental education and information, 37) environmental management, XNUMX) safety and services and XNUMX standards on the beach.Marinas, which have stricter standards than beaches, are divided into six categories (XNUMX) water quality, XNUMX) environmental education and information, XNUMX) environmental management, XNUMX) safety and service, XNUMX) CSR (corporate social responsibility), and XNUMX) social and community involvement. and XNUMX standards, with additional standards to reduce environmental pollution and environmental impact.Even when renewing, it is obligatory to undergo an examination every year, and constant efforts are required for continuation.
Only beach marina that meets the standards can obtain the blue flag and raise the flag after undergoing two rigorous examinations, a national examination and an international examination.
Especially in Europe, Blue Flag Beach is visited by many people on vacation as "a clean, safe and gentle beach that everyone can enjoy".
Blue Flag marinas are also recognized as "well-managed, safe, comfortable, environmentally-friendly marinas that are well-maintained, have environmental education, are enjoyable for everyone regardless of handicap, and are environmentally beautiful." , and the blue flag is a universal sign of peace of mind.
It was born in France in 1985 and has spread throughout the world, mainly in Europe, and as of May 2023, 5 locations in 51 countries have received certification. Certified beaches in Japan include Yuigahama Beach (Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture), Wakasa Wada Beach (Takahama Town, Fukui Prefecture), Suma Beach (Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture), and Honsuka Beach (Sammu City, Chiba Prefecture, Katsuura Okitsu). Beach (Katsuura City, Chiba Prefecture), Katase Nishihama/Kugenuma Beach (Fujisawa City), Zushi Beach (Zushi City), Okitsu Beach (Katsuura City, Chiba Prefecture), Odanohama Beach (Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture), Only 5036 locations: Sun-Ore Sodama Beach (Minamisanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture), Shobuta Beach (Shichigahama Town, Miyagi Prefecture), Takada Matsubara Beach (Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture), and Nishiki-no-hama Beach (Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture) ``Riviera Zushi Marina'' is the first marina in Asia to receive the certification in Japan, and in 12, ``Riviera Seabornia Marina'' became the second in Asia to receive the certification.
[Background of acquisition]
At Riviera, which started its marina business in 2001, we felt climate change firsthand and started environmental conservation activities. In 2006, we launched the "Riviera Future Creation Project" and are engaged in numerous activities based on the three pillars of "environment," "education," and "health and medical care (well-being)." A ``recycling farming method'' in which vegetable scraps from restaurants in the marina are used as combustible waste instead of being burned as compost and then served at the restaurant in the Riviera Zushi Marina, and ``thin-film solar panels'' installed on the marina quayside to generate electricity. In order to pass on good old things and the natural environment to the next generation, we have been steadily promoting sustainable initiatives, such as using recycled energy to power the marina, and have also focused on environmental education. In addition, starting in 3, we will be holding events such as the “Riviera SDGs Festival,” “LOVE OCEAN,” and the “Riviera SDGs Manga Award” to expand the scope of the sustainable movement.
In 2022, as a further commitment to the environment, we applied for international certification, and after a rigorous examination, we became the first marina in Japan to receive Blue Flag certification, and the first in Asia.
Even after obtaining the Blue Flag, a business must meet the standards through two rigorous examinations, a domestic examination and an international examination, every year. In addition, the examination standards become stricter each year, so constant efforts are required to continue.
Through obtaining the certification, we learned that environmental efforts along the coast have a significant impact on tourism. Blue Flag marinas are particularly well-recognized in Europe, where they have been recognized as ``well-managed, safe, comfortable marinas that provide environmental education, and are environmentally beautiful marinas that everyone can enjoy.'' Yes, the blue flag is a universal "sign of peace of mind".
Based on the idea of ``environment x tourism'' that ``people gather in the beautiful sea,'' Riviera is realizing sustainable tourism by proactively addressing environmental issues through the ``LOVE OCEAN Project'' and promoting regional revitalization. We believe that we can contribute to creating a sustainable society. As a business owner of two world-class marinas recognized by Blue Flag, we will continue to work on environmental conservation, environmental education, and sustainable town development.