All over the world, concerted efforts are being made to prevent tourism having a major negative impact on theworld's ecosystem. In many countries, for example, an environmental impact assessment has tobe carried out before any major tourist development is started, while environmental audits are carriedout on existing organisations to assess what impact they are having on the environment. UNESCO and The EUare playing a major role. UNESCO has designated some places as World Heritage Sites (to protect culturally and naturally important buildings, cities and sites) and biosphere reverses(to protect areas ofnatural beauty, and to protect wildlife). The EU have designated some areas as Environmentally sensitive Areas (wherethey encourage traditional farming methods in order to reduce soil depletion, protect the landscape andprotect wild animals), and Special Protection Areas, to protect wild birds. The EU has also created the Blue Flag award, given to beaches which are clean and have tourist facilities which have minimal negative impact on the environment. Meanwhile, the WTTC runs the Green Globe educational programme for travelcompanies that are concerned about the environment.Energy management programmes are also carried out bymany travel companies, which not only benefits the environment but also helps those companies cut down ontheir running costs. Is this enough? Environmental support groups such as Green peace, Friends of the Earthand Friends ofConservationdo not think so, which is why they will continue to encourage ecotourism (and other aspectsof sustainable and responsible tourism), and put pressure on governments and organisations thatabuse and damage the environment for the sake of earning tourist dollars.