Sandals Launches Initiative to Reduce Environmental Impact
Sandals Launches Initiative to Reduce Environmental Impact
A popular resort in the Bahamas is launching a new program to reduce its environmental footprint. Sandals Resorts International (SRI) chief executive officer Adam Stewart announced the launch of the initiative, which is designed to reduce the company's impact on the environment, improve bottom line efficiencies, and increase the benefits host communities receive as a result of sustainable tourism.
In the past, the environmental management systems developed by Sandals have been adopted by governments - including here in the Bahamas - and resulted in a long list of industry innovation awards.
SRI has strengthened their existing partnership with EarthCheck - the world's leading environmental management, benchmarking and certification company - in order to bring about this significant initiative.
EarthCheck was established in 1987 and developed the original Green Globe Standard, with which Sandals was previously affiliated. In early 2010, EarthCheck undertook an aggressive upgrade of its science and software and launched its own standard. This resulted in the alignment of EarthCheck with globally recognized environmental criteria and saw many in the tourism industry switch from Green Globe to EarthCheck for certification.
"The partnership SRI has with EarthCheck provides our group with access to a set of tools and data that is the very best there is out there," Mr. Stewart said. "With EarthCheck science at the heart of the Sandals Earthguard program, our management team will be able to meet the more complex and demanding reporting needs of a new carbon economy and have better insight into the operational efficiencies of each resort.
In order to provide ultimate transparency, Sandals Royal Bahamian and Sandals Emerald Bay, along with all other Sandals, Beaches and Grand Pineapple properties, will undergo regular third party auditing.
This will assess the standard of operational practices employed in areas such as consumption of natural resources, waste minimization, use of sustainable building techniques and the effectiveness of sponsored community projects.
Back in 1998, Sandals Negril Beach Resort and Spa become the first All Inclusive Resort to achieve what is now known as EarthCheck Certification.
Soon after, the remaining 13 Sandals resorts and four Beaches resorts followed suit and achieved certification. Today, Sandals Negril holds the Platinum level of certification; the highest possible achievement.
Sandals Earthguard will also deliver productive synergies with SRI's philanthropic arm, the Sandals Foundation; an organization involved in a wide range of community, educational and environmental initiatives throughout the Caribbean.
