The Ritz-Carlton Maldives Achieves Dual Sustainability Recognition
Monday 11th of November 2024
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands has reached a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to sustainability by achieving two prestigious recognitions: the Forbes VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality badge and the Green Globe Certification. These accolades reflect the resort's dedication to responsible hospitality, emphasizing eco-friendly practices and community well-being.
The Forbes VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality badge is awarded to properties that meet over 100 rigorous standards focused on protecting the environment and promoting the well-being of employees, guests, and local communities. The Green Globe Certification, another major achievement for the resort, underscores its dedication to minimizing environmental impact. This certification evaluates resorts based on criteria such as energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and social sustainability, all of which are vital to promoting sustainable tourism.
Renato de Oliveira, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, expressed pride in these achievements, stating, “We are incredibly proud to receive both the Forbes VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality badge and the Green Globe Certification, reflecting our tireless commitment to sustainable hospitality and dedication to the protection of our natural world. This recognition is a testament to the efforts of our entire team, our Ladies and Gentlemen, in creating exceptional guest experiences with respect for the environment at our core.”
A Foundation of Respect
From the outset, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives has been committed to sustainability in every aspect of its operations, particularly in preserving the natural beauty of the region. The resort was carefully designed with minimal impact on the local ecosystem. Marine experts conducted thorough studies before construction on an existing sandbank to ensure no harm would come to coral reefs or marine life. The development utilized sustainable construction materials, including PEFC-certified timber sourced from responsibly managed forests in Europe, earning the resort the PEFC Project Certification. In addition, the developers secured EDGE certification, marking a first for the Maldives with a green loan.
Embracing Natural Beauty
The resort's design and landscaping reflect its commitment to the environment. It features thousands of adopted trees and native plants to avoid the negative impacts of non-native species. Notably, a 100-foot-tall Banyan tree in the Mystique Garden honors the resort’s late architect, Kerry Hill. The property also boasts miles of pristine white sand, providing a sanctuary for local wildlife, including crabs, birds, and sea turtles.
Encircling the resort is a vibrant coral reef, teeming with marine life such as lobsters, fish, rays, and sea turtles. Since the resort's inception, over 105 coral frames have been planted, with 28 new frames added in 2024 alone. This initiative plays a critical role in protecting and regenerating the reef, creating new habitats for marine species.
Sustainable Practices Across the Resort
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives prioritizes sustainability across all aspects of its operations, particularly in energy use, food sourcing, and waste management.
Energy: The resort uses a combination of solar and sustainable energy to meet around 20% of its electricity needs. In 2024, solar panels were installed on all guest villas, and a floating solar garden is expected to add an additional 1,400 kWp by 2025. Each villa is equipped with a smart energy management system, while hot water pumps utilize ambient thermal energy, further reducing energy consumption.
Culinary Consciousness: Sustainability is a key focus in the resort's seven dining venues. Locally sourced ingredients and plant-based options are prioritized, and the resort exclusively uses cage- and crate-free eggs and meat. The resort also composts its daily food waste of approximately 726 kg, which is used to nourish its gardens. To further reduce waste, culinary teams embrace a zero-waste approach, making products like chutneys and coffee scrubs from leftover materials.
Water Conservation: The resort has a dedicated plant to purify still and sparkling water, eliminating the need for plastic bottles. Additionally, greywater is treated and reused for landscaping, contributing to the resort’s water conservation efforts.
Plastic Reduction: The Ritz-Carlton Maldives has implemented a ban on single-use plastics, offering guests reusable water bottles and bamboo-based serving ware. Its desalination plant and on-site garden also help to reduce plastic imports.
Partnerships for a Greener Future
The resort collaborates with several organizations to further its sustainability goals. In 2024, it launched an ocean plastics monitoring program using drones, developed in partnership with Dr. Melissa Schiele. This program has completed 50 drone flights, removing critical plastic debris, including ghost nets that endanger marine life. This initiative has already removed over 418 kg of ghost nets, preventing further harm to the ocean ecosystem.
The resort also partners with the Jean-Michel Cousteau Ambassadors of the Environment Program, continuing to offer educational experiences focused on environmental preservation. This year, renowned oceanographic explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau visited the resort again to engage with students from Villa College and the Maldives National University, as well as the resort’s Naturalists, further strengthening the resort’s educational initiatives.
In addition, Saad Amer, a recognized climate activist and member of Forbes' 30 Under 30 for social impact, visited the resort in 2024 to curate guest experiences focused on climate change. His session, “A Thought Experiment: How to Save Our Planet,” provided valuable insights and inspired both guests and the local community to take action.
Community Engagement and Education
Community engagement is another cornerstone of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives' sustainability efforts. The resort organizes educational excursions for local schools, raising awareness of ocean conservation. In 2024, eight excursions were held, with a notable recycling competition organized with students from Dhiffushi. The winning teams were treated to a special lunch at the resort, where they learned about coral restoration efforts and gained hands-on experience with the resort’s conservation programs.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa also showcases the resort’s commitment to sustainability, featuring an organic body and skincare collection by Bamford. In 2024, the spa team innovatively transformed coffee grounds into sustainable body scrubs for in-house guests, further demonstrating the resort’s dedication to environmentally friendly wellness initiatives.
Upcoming Initiatives
Looking ahead, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives will soon launch a Coral Adoption Project, allowing guests to directly contribute to the resort’s marine conservation efforts. The resort is also introducing a new package featuring Saad Amer, the Sustainability Champion, which will include educational activities and workshops designed to deepen guests' understanding of local climate issues and promote support for the surrounding community.
By offering these enriching experiences, the resort continues to set an example for sustainable tourism, ensuring that guests can enjoy the beauty of the Maldives while supporting its environmental preservation.
Through its ongoing commitment to sustainability, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is not only creating unforgettable experiences for its guests but also making a lasting positive impact on the environment and local communities.