Eight audited LUX* properties have secured the Green Globe status. Infused with sustainable practices emanating from the company’s corporate sustainability management plan Vision 2020, properties in Mauritius, Reunion Island, Maldives and all other destinations ensure their business model and operations are in line with sustainability guidelines. LUX* Resorts & Hotels does business sustainably and in style.
Vishnee Sowamber, Group Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility Manager of LUX* Resorts & Hotels said, “Our strategy involves simultaneous work on all aspects of sustainable development. LUX* adheres to good governance practices – our social and ecological initiatives also support the concept of circular economy. The environment is a key pillar of our business and it is our duty to preserve it now and for the future generations. We deliver our promise for a 5-star service and we are still able to meet the highest standards of sustainability in the world because we are passionate. We congratulate and thank the entire LUX* Team upon successfully obtaining Green Globe certifications.”
Good governance, transparency and accountability are at the center of the sustainable development strategy of LUX* and this ensures concrete, measurable actions reported publicly in the LUX* GRI Standards Integrated Annual Reports. External Assurance vouches for the accuracy of all published information. LUX* is the recipient of two PricewaterhouseCoopers Corporate Reporting Awards (CRA) for two consecutive years. LUX* is part of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Gold Community, shaping the future of International integrated reporting Standard and was the first Mauritian hotel group to be listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius Sustainability Index.
Further to the LUX* Vision 2020 Corporate Sustainability Management Plan, specific corporate policies were implemented to guide all aspects of operations and ensure sound corporate decisions. The company ensures the policies are communicated on transparently through regular quality trainings.
Our flagship projects Tread Lightly by LUX* and Ray of Light by LUX* have been ongoing for years.
Tread Lightly by LUX*©: luxtreadlightly.com
Tread Lightly has been supporting Climate Action via its main function of offsetting 100% of guest’s carbon emissions for 1 Euro per night and is contributing directly to reducing global GHG emissions. Donations have been funding 7 UNFCCC Registered projects in 6 countries in East Africa and Asia in collaboration with experts AERA Group. These projects contribute to job creation, to the development of remote communities and to the critical reforestation initiatives.
Tread Lightly has exceeded a million participating guest nights and has since inception seen the materialisation, at property level, of Earth & Dance in-house water bottling which curbs the use of an average of 1 million plastic bottles per year. Scrucap wines especially curated for LUX* are sourced from nearby and come with a screw cap (No wooden corks). LUX* has already removed plastic straws from the property with an upon-request-only policy for ecofriendly straws.
With practical solutions such as water saving measures and devices or energy management systems, LUX* considerably curbs utilities consumption and therefore lowers its GHG footprint. The Laundry Asterix cushion placed in rooms encourages guests to engage in the laundry reduction programme all while dispensing tips for an ecofriendly stay.
Biodiversity Conservation
LUX* invites the local community to join in various initiatives. In 2017, LUX* reiterated its endangered endemic plants propagation project and distributed 1,200 rare plants to schools, NGOs, to public spaces and local authorities in collaboration with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation and the support of all LUX* properties who support seeding and planting sessions of 1,500 plants, earning LUX* the Green Globe Member of the Month status.
On World Environment Day 2018, LUX* team members planted 140 endemic plants at La Citadel, encouraging bee and insect activity and countering city pollution in an otherwise barren, deforested area of the capital city.
LUX* Saint Gilles and Hôtel Le Récif (Reunion Island) support the NGO ReefCheck France financially and in terms of logistics promote their ROUTE DU CORAIL© project, to operate two stations which support the sustained development of the reef and its ecosystem. LUX* Saint Gilles also frequently hosts the Reserve Marine de La Reunion to educate guests and Team Members on how to support aquatic fauna and flora conservation work.
LUX* South Ari Atoll (Maldives) is equipped with an in house Marine Biology Centre to study and protect the native whale shark population. The Marine Biologist is a specialist who informs guests on eco tours and supports scientific research. The centre is recognised as a Top Contributor by Maldivian authorities regarding whale shark protection. They also remove ghost nets from the sea, which are deadly to marine life and have constructed artificial reefs to support life.
The Centre supports: Olive Ridley Project (Marine Conservation Charity), Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (Marine Conservation Charity), Manta Trust (Marine Conservation Charity), Shark Watch Maldives through research.
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Renewable Energy
In line with Tread Lightly by LUX*, the group has extended their ongoing collaboration on the SAMOA Pathway at the ‘Global Business Network’ Small Islands Developing States Forum5, pledging to continue its renewable energy projects that focus on destinations most vulnerable from global warming effects before extending to all LUX* destinations.
LUX* has already implemented a renewable energy project – an initial pilot Solar PV project in Mauritius making islet Ile des Deux Cocos 100% Energy Efficient with a 59.52 kWp PV Plant which contributes towards a reduction in the usage of diesel to produce electricity. Next will be a bigger project where PV plants of at least 500KwP (roof panel) will be installed at LUX* South Ari Atoll. The second phase will see the installation of 2.5 MwP floating panels that will significantly curb diesel consumption by over 1,8 M kWh.
Ray of Light by LUX*©: Uplifting the communities that host us
Under Ray of Light by LUX*, we support over 10 NGOs per year.
To ensure results, sustained support is offered to projects of poverty alleviation through quality education from a young age, healthcare for the needy, capacity building for the disabled through IT courses and sports, youth empowerment projects, gender equality through women empowerment / entrepreneurship courses, among others.
Beyond legal compliance of CSR fund disbursements, LUX* offers other forms of donations and sponsorships which support its goals.
The selected projects meet international (United Nations Sustainable Development goals), national (National CSR Foundation, Mauritius Revenue Authority, National Empowerment Foundation, Ministry of Social Security) and LUX* management objectives.
Team members generously support calls to participate by volunteering or making donations during natural disasters such as cyclones or floods, as well as during end of year festivities where gifts are distributed to children.
Child Protection
In line with the LUX* Child Protection Policy, LUX* has taken a public stance against child trafficking in travel and tourism by contributing to the launch of The Code Symposium in Mauritius. LUX* is also a member of The Code of Conduct against Child Trafficking in Travel and Tourism. The Corporate policy and SOP detail the correct procedure to tackle any situation, which may arise at the resort or in the local community.
About Green Globe Certification
Green Globe is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe is based in California, USA and is represented in over 83 countries. Green Globe is an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). For information, please click here.
MEDIA CONTACT: Bradley Cox, Director Communications, Green Globe Certification, 5959 W. Century Blvd., Suite 610, Los Angeles, California 90045 U.S.A., Tel +1-310-337-3000, Fax +1-310-626-9982, skype bradleygcox, email: [email protected]
