LUX* Resorts & Hotels is offsetting the carbon footprint of some guests’ stays by funding a solar PV field in Mauritius through its Tread Lightly programme.
The company has stepped up its Tread Lightly programme to ensure the greenhouse gas impact of its participating guests’ stays, is directly compensated through a local emission reduction solar energy project.
The SARAKO solar farm in Bambous, Mauritius has begun to transact some of its certified carbon credits from renewable energy production into the Tread Lightly scheme which enables hotel guests to voluntarily offset the carbon footprint of their holidays.
The project is another example of the ways in which hotels can work to ensure a sustainable destination. Here, Mauritian resort guests’ impacts are compensated at a local level, creating a relevant and locally impacting environmentally friendly initiative.
The LUX* Tread Lightly compensation portfolio already includes UNFCCC Clean Development Mechanism and voluntary Verified Carbon Standard certified emission reductions from:
- Green electricity from rice husk and agricultural waste in India (CDM) in relation to the Maldives.
- Hydropower Energy Production in the Yunnan province of China (CDM/VCS) in relation to China resorts.
- Reforestation of the Nile basin in Uganda (CDM) in relation to Reunion Is. and Mauritius Is.
- Regenerating natural forests in Ethiopia (CDM) in relation to Reunion Is. and Mauritius Is.
This ongoing regional panel of carbon credits purposely matches the mitigation needs of LUX* hotels and resorts within the locations where LUX* is operating.
Vishnee Payen, Sustainability & CSR Manager of LUX* Resorts & Hotels, said, “On Earth Day 2016, 22nd April, Mauritius signed and ratified the Paris Agreement which aims at holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C by limiting the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above preindustrial levels. This will help reduce the risks and impacts of climate change which are not to be ignored.
“LUX* had begun its Tread Lightly Carbon Offsetting programme a few years ago, recognising the real threats of GHG impacts on climate change. LUX* being listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius and SEM Sustainability Index, is continuing its efforts within the area of GHG emissions offsetting and reduction. The Team Members working on the Tread Lightly programme had the opportunity this year to visit Project Sarako.”
Alexandre Dunod, regional manager Ecosur Afrique, an environmental solutions consultancy said, “We’ve seen a laudable year-on-year increase of 27% in LUX* guests’ participation rate to the Tread Lightly offset programme in order to achieve carbon neutrality. We are proud to contribute to the success story by improving awareness among LUX* staff and customers as well as sourcing quality offset projects in the area to sustain the programme’s philosophy of local, optimal impacts.”
Oliver Zuffour, country manager of Sarako PVP Co Ltd, also welcomed a LUX* delegation on-site to tour of the premises and provide explanations on the project’s life.
This article was originally published on Green Hotelier and reprinted here with their permission.
