Background There are at least 22 000 small and medium-sized camping and caravanning holiday park companies in Europe, offering 10.8 million commercial tourist beds - more than the traditional hotel sector (8.7 million beds). Tourism is a major and growing sector in many local economies, including Aquitaine. In 2001, the region counted with 718 campsites, 93 619 pitches and 13 million accommodation nights. To meet the expectations of ever-more-demanding tourists, campsite operators are investing in more facilities and services, including catering, swimming pools, nightclubs, water-game areas and other construction. However, the use and development of these tourist infrastructures impacts on the environment, sometimes dramatically. This results from increased energy consumption, production of building waste, disturbance of ecosystems and habitats and pollution caused by transportation of materials. Objectives This LIFE project aimed to show that it was possible to support a growing tourist industry in the camping sector, without destroying the natural environment. The project took the attitude that everybody has an interest in the camping sector reducing its impact on the local environment - for the sustainability of the natural environment and the sustainability of this economic sector. Eco-camps was planned as an operational eco-design project. It aimed to show how environmental issues could be tackled at the design stage to reduce overall impact from their construction and subsequent use. It planned to work on the design and installation of new campsites or campsite installations and specifically on the design of two new models of mobile homes. As well as reducing energy and water consumption and the creation of pollution and waste from the new facilities, it also sought to provide visual and aesthetic integration into the natural surroundings to protect as much as possible the natural heritage of the area. The project hoped not only to demonstrate that it was possible to develop this important economic activity whilst limiting the environmental impact, but also that there was market advantage to be had for campsite owners in doing so. It sought to make the environment a driver of development in the sector. Results The French Eco-camps project demonstrated how an effective life-cycle approach to the design of campsites and installations can reduce their environmental impact, whilst simultaneously improving the competitivity of this important tourist industry. The project selected five campsites which were planning development projects to work with. Each campsite was supported by a consultant who guided them through a process of environmental evaluation called the High Environmental Quality approach (HQE in French). This considered 14 elements of each site, covering eco-design, eco-management, health and comfort, and evaluated performance against indicators. Through the HQE approach, the consultant helped the managers evaluate the environmental impact of their plans, identify areas of weakness and select specific measures to improve performance. Although unforeseen administrative problems delayed much construction at two of the sites until after the end of the project, important new installations were created. To save drinking water, the project introduced measures to reduce consumption - eg pushbutton taps - and to access alternative water sources where appropriate - eg rainwater collection or cleaning of swimming pool water. The total water savings by the project were estimated at 5 000 m3 of drinking water per year. To reduce energy consumption, installations were designed to require less energy - eg through better insulation and more natural light - and to use energy only when necessary -eg through lighting systems triggered by lack of natural light. Renewable energy sources were also tapped where appropriate - eg solar-powered water heating. The methodology also led to optimised waste collection and the use of more environmentally friendly and locally sourced materials. The beneficiary estimated the overall reduction in CO2 emissions from the project at 40 tonnes per year. The project worked with two manufacturers: with Dassé Constructeur to develop a new eco-design for a chalet, which consumed 45% less water consumption, 28% less energy from appliances and 60% less energy for heating; and with O’Hara to develop a new portable summerhouse with better integration with its natural surroundings and which used 41% less glue in assembly and had a frame made of 95% certified wood. As well as advice to campsite managers on implementing the Charter on natural hazards, one of the big achievements of the LIFE project was the creation of a modified HQE specifically for campsites based on the learning achieved during the project. It is now expected that more campsites will be inspired to use this approach to improve their environmental performance and reduce their costs. Detailed tool-kits produced by the project should facilitate this process. This LIFE project showed how regional authorities can lead the way in promoting environmentally sustainable business development. The authority remains committed to promoting the work of the project, particularly through supporting the use of the HQE approach by campsites to obtain the European eco-label. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section). This project has been selected as one of the 17 "Best" LIFE Environment projects in 2008-2009.