Face-to-Face: Arnfinn Oinnes, Area Environment Conscience - Thailand and Vietnam, Six Senses Resorts and Spas
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1) Why are the Six Senses Brands including Evason Phuket taking a lead in instituting environmentally friendly policies in their resorts?
It has been part of the company’s philosophy since its inception. The founders, Sonu and Eva Shivdasani have always emphasised responsible development and operations. We believe that responsible business is the best way and will give most return both for investors, the company, local community and the environment. It is a win-win situation for people and planet. We also want to prove that our customers can enjoy modern luxuries in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way if we run the business in a responsible way. We would like to see guests and hosts be inspired to change their way of living to become more environmentally friendly - without having to make too many sacrifices. Furthermore, we would like to inspire other resorts and companies to follow suit. Everyone has to contribute to fight climate change. And in the end, we believe responsible business it what will give most return.
2) What are the key environmental initiatives you are taking?
Energy, water and waste management are key factors. Improving energy efficiency and turning to renewable energy is key factors to improve our carbon footprint and fight climate change. We have put in a lot of effort in improving energy efficiency and are increasingly looking into clean energy. We are also highly focussed on sourcing our products from local suppliers and producers. Most of our fixtures and fittings are produced in Thailand with local producers. Heavy emphasis is given to sustainable, natural and chemical-free products.
3) Can you quantify the impact of these initiatives, both on the environment and on your bottom line?
When Six Senses took over Evason Phuket the original resort had a transformer load of 2.6MW. Through improved energy efficiency currently the resort load is 1.1MW, despite considerably higher occupancy and increased service levels. This translates into a 40% improved energy bill or about US$275,000 per year. The resort is also saving around US$330,000 per year by collecting rainwater in our own reservoir. Soneva Fushi by Six Senses has improved their energy efficiency by 50% and expects to emit zero carbon by 2010. This will have a huge impact on their bottom line as currently their energy bill is over a million dollar per year.
4) How do your customers react to what you are doing?
Our guests appreciate our efforts and we see that loyal guests often state that our environmental practices are important for them. They very much appreciate our holistic approach, which follows our core purpose “to create innovative and enlightening experiences that rejuvenate our guests’ love of SLOW LIFE*” (*Sustainable - Local - Organic - Wholesome – Learning - Inspiring - Fun - Experiences).
5) What next for Sonu and Eva Shivdasani and Six Senses Resorts & Spas?
Six Senses has set a 20/20 vision to be Decarbonising. We want by the year 2020 to be a net absorber of carbon emissions. Through operational and energy efficiency, the resorts and spas will improve their ecological footprint including carbon emissions. Oversupply of clean energy and carbon offsets of unavoidable emission will decarbonise Six Senses’ resort & spa operations. Furthermore, each Six Senses property will manage the local planting of trees, supervised and monitored by the team on-site so that carbon is absorbed. We have already created a zero carbon Eco Villa at Soneva Kiri by Six Senses, which is due to open 2009. Soneva Fushi by Six Senses will be carbon neutral by 2010 and all Six Senses branded properties will be carbon neutral by November 2010. We are also in the process of establishing a SLOW LIFE academy, where we will further train our hosts on the concept of SLOW LIFE.
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