Dyfi Valley Biosphere Conference

WHAT ROLE CAN CAT PLAY?

Peter Harper Head of Research and Innovation, CAT

www.cat.org.uk

CAT WAS A PIONEER OF THE HOLISTIC CAT WAS A PIONEER OF THE HOLISTIC APPROACH EXPRESSED BY THE POST-SEVILLE APPROACH EXPRESSED BY THE POST-SEVILLE

BIOSPHERE RESERVE CONCEPTBIOSPHERE RESERVE CONCEPT

• CAT’s original aims could also be described as “A living CAT’s original aims could also be described as “A living laboratory of sustainable development”laboratory of sustainable development”

• But the scale was differentBut the scale was different– That of a face-to-face communityThat of a face-to-face community

• CAT has always had a national/international CAT has always had a national/international understanding of its role, not a local oneunderstanding of its role, not a local one– Hence the appropriateness of a separate eco-centre dedicated to Hence the appropriateness of a separate eco-centre dedicated to

the specific qualities and content of the Dyfi Valleythe specific qualities and content of the Dyfi Valley

• Nevertheless it has had a catalytic effect on the Dyfi Nevertheless it has had a catalytic effect on the Dyfi Valley’s status as a source of sustainable innovationValley’s status as a source of sustainable innovation

• It remains the best-known ‘green’ institution of the area It remains the best-known ‘green’ institution of the area

BASIC STATISTICS

• Founded 1974Founded 1974• Staff ~ 120, in 20 departmentsStaff ~ 120, in 20 departments• Annual turnover ~ £3.5 millionAnnual turnover ~ £3.5 million• Dual legal structure, charity and plcDual legal structure, charity and plc• Essentially a social enterpriseEssentially a social enterprise• Owned and managed by its own staffOwned and managed by its own staff• External regulation by trustees and shareholdersExternal regulation by trustees and shareholders• Low wages and small differentialsLow wages and small differentials• Strong links with universities, quangos, NGOsStrong links with universities, quangos, NGOs

• Educational tourismEducational tourism• Other educational programmesOther educational programmes• Retailing green productsRetailing green products• PublicationsPublications• Information servicesInformation services• ConsultancyConsultancy• Research & developmentResearch & development• Business incubationBusiness incubation

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIESPRINCIPAL ACTIVITIESNote that all earn income Note that all earn income andand promote the organisation’s goals promote the organisation’s goals

TOURISMTOURISM

• Tourism accounts for about 40% of income (gate Tourism accounts for about 40% of income (gate money ~15%)money ~15%)

• But is declining in both proportional and absolute But is declining in both proportional and absolute termsterms

• Peak annual visitors 95,000 in 1992Peak annual visitors 95,000 in 1992• 65,000 in 200265,000 in 2002• Open all yearOpen all year• Strong peak in July/AugustStrong peak in July/August• About 25% of visitors are ‘pilgrims’About 25% of visitors are ‘pilgrims’• The remainder are ‘ordinary tourists’The remainder are ‘ordinary tourists’

VISITOR FACILITIESVISITOR FACILITIES

• Free car parkFree car park• Toilets (of many kinds!)Toilets (of many kinds!)• RestaurantRestaurant• ShopShop• Information pointsInformation points• PlaygroundPlayground• Funicular railway as entranceFunicular railway as entrance• DisplaysDisplays• EventsEvents

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE WITH SPIN-OUTS

CAT

Internal activities:

Tourism

Restaurant

3 Shops

Education

Mail order

Consultancy

Publications

Research

Direct spin-outs:

A scientific instrument company

A renewable-energy company

Indirect spin-outs:

2 architectural practices

A green education journal

A wind-farm development company

‘Inspirations’:

‘Community wind-development company

Solar club

County Energy Agency

Business park with green buildings

New regional development agency

Other indirect effects, especially cultural

THE FUTURE?

• Maintained contribution to local tourism• Willing collaboration with local projects• Support for ‘relocalisation’ initiatives• Strong emphasis on tertiary education• Growing international links and markets• Distinctive contributions to debates on

sustainable development