The Blue Flag believes in the importance of providing relevant education to people in order for them to understand sustainable patterns of consumption. The programme promotes initiatives to monitor sustainable development in the sustainable tourism sector, as the promotion of sustainable fisheries and environmental protection. It encourages sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources in marine areas.
The programme promotes the use of clean, renewable and efficient energy, and the increase water-use efficiency through capturing and using rainwater among other best practices. It also improves water quality through promoting the minimum release of softeners in the aquatic environment.
Through several criteria set, Blue Flag encourages people to save water and keep it clean, minimising the environmental footprint and promoting sustainable practices. Various environmental education activities take place in order to prevent, reduce, reuse and recycling waste.
the netherlands and the US VIRGIN ISLANDS
In the Netherlands, several municipalities have started installing water taps next to the beaches, thus contributing to this goal. These water taps promote responsible consumption of water and help avoid single-use plastic on the beach, which could lead to pollution.
In the Us Virgin Islands, food and beverages outlets at Blue Flag sites have eliminated plastic straws and greatly reduced their general single use plastics. This decision has had the effect of educating people on the environmental issues related to plastic, while promoting responsible consumption and production.
