Sandals a greener all inclusive?

First all inclusive to get Green Globe certification moves a step on

In 1998, Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa was the very first all-inclusive resort to earn the Green Globe Certification

And now they have underlined their sustainability credentials by launching a new environmental management programme. 

‘Sandals Earthguard powered by EarthCheck’ has been designed to reduce the company’s environmental footprint, improve bottom line efficiencies, and increase the benefits host communities receive as a result of sustainable tourism.

SRI has strengthened their existing partnership with EarthCheck benchmarking and certification company – in order to bring about this initiative.

EarthCheck was established in 2000 and developed the Green Globe Benchmarking Standard, with which Sandals was previously affiliated.

“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,” explained Adam Stewart, Chief Executive Officer for Sandals Resorts International. “With EarthCheck science at the heart of the Sandals Earthguard programme, 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.

“Sandals Earthguard allows us to take practical, meaningful action and we believe it will come to be seen by the industry as the most comprehensive and credible environmental programme in the industry” he continued.

All 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 minimisation, use of sustainable building techniques and the effectiveness of sponsored community projects.

“There’s an increasing demand for transparency when it comes to sustainability,” explained EarthCheck CEO Stewart Moore. “This pressure isn’t just coming from guests and suppliers, but also from asset owners and investment funds.”

“They expect companies to be reporting on sustainability – not just financials – and having an impact. We have worked with Sandals for more than a decade and the company has consistently demonstrated its forward thinking in this area.”

Sandals Earthguard will also deliver productive synergies with SRI’s philanthropic arm, The Sandals Foundation; an organisation involved in a wide range of community, educational and environmental initiatives throughout the Caribbean.

“There’s a broader partnership in play here,” concluded Adam Stewart, “With educational programs for schools, capacity building and community training all being part of wider social programs that Sandals Earthguard powered by EarthCheck will help us deliver.”

A case study relating to Sandals la Toc achievements can be viewed at:
http://www.earthcheck.org/Editor/Docs/UserDir/Publications/Case%20Studies/CS09%20-%20Sandals%20La%20Toc.pdf

Valere Tjolle

Valere is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2011 Special Offers HERE