Centara Grand Beach Resort Krabi is first in Thailand to get Gold Certification from EarthCheck

BANGKOK - For the past five years, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi has been working with EarthCheck to improve their sustainability efforts. After creating and implementing a large-scale environmental and social management system, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi has now achieved the status of “EarthCheck Gold”, the first property in Thailand to receive this highly regarded award.

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi, in partnership with EarthCheck, created distinct policies and procedures such as risk assessments, waste management plans and internal audits in order to achieve greater sustainability and the tools by which to measure progress. In doing so, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi has improved its regulatory compliance in areas such as greenhouse gas emissions, fresh water conservation, energy efficiency, and waste management.

“We are honored and proud to have the first property in Thailand to achieve the Gold certification,” said Centara Hotels and Resorts CEO Khun Thirayuth Chirathivat. “Centara strives for greater sustainability, especially as we continue to grow locally and internationally.”

The “EarthCheck Gold” designation is only conferred after five years of continual independent assessment and adherence to internationally-recognized, scientific standards. These efforts help inspire stakeholder confidence and drive further organizational improvement, competitive advantage, innovation and growth. This achievement confirms Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi’s status as an industry leader in the region.

Given Centara Grand Krabi’s remote location as only accessibly by boat, a reverse osmosis plant was installed in 2014 to allow the property to produce its own drinking water that is bottled in renewable pasteurized glass bottles. This has reduced its carbon footprint from transportation. By recycling its waste water for the garden, the property also reduced its water consumption by 81,111,291 liters, the equivalent to 32 Olympic size swimming pools during 2014.

Stewart Moore, CEO and founder of EarthCheck, said, “Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi has a long standing commitment to sustainability, which is reflected in their continued dedication to the EarthCheck program. The resort is a leading operator in Asia and a valued member of a global group of tourism operators who dare to make a difference.”

Several other Centara properties are on track to receive Gold certification by the end of 2015, while other properties work towards obtaining their bronze and silver certifications. Centara believes that it is their responsibility to protect and enhance the local communities.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia