Aruba Nominated for the World Legacy Awards at ITB Berlin

The World Legacy Award is a new initiative of the National Geographic Society in cooperation with ITB Berlin. The winners of the five categories will be announced during the fair. One of the finalists is Aruba.

The Dutch Caribbean island uses its natural resources sun and wind also for the production of energy. By 2020, the island plans to become the first country in the world to operate 100 per cent carbon free. To reach this goal Aruba’s government cooperates with the Carbon War Room (CWR) – this private initiative is developing concepts against global climate change.

With its ambitious ecological goals supported by the CWR and other well-respected partner institutions for example Harvard University, Aruba is spearheading the campaign. It has become a leading role in the region, with the “Aruba Model” having been adopted by six other Caribbean islands, each committing themselves towards CWR and the reduction in the usage of fossil fuel.

To support the cause the island’s government developed the agenda “Bo Aruba” (the Papiamento expression for “My Aruba”), an extensive remodeling of the infrastructure leading to further environmental protection: To make great parts of Aruba accessible by foot or bike is the goal of the newly built lanes; public institutions like libraries or museums will be renovated according to state-of-the-art technological standards; Aruba’s capital Oranjestad provides the world’s first tram operating exclusively with solar energy.