Banyan Group publishes 2024 sustainability report

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Banyan Group, a leader in sustainable hospitality, has released its 2024 Sustainability Report titled One Banyan, One Sustainable Future. This 19th edition highlights the Group’s continuous efforts and achievements in environmental, social, and economic sustainability, reinforcing its commitment to making travel a positive force for change.

Guided by its founding mission and belief in responsible business practices, the Group reported significant progress across several key areas in 2024, including:

  • Decarbonisation & Energy Transition: Banyan Group invested in energy-efficient infrastructure, renewable energy on-site, and system upgrades, leading to a 5.7% reduction in emissions intensity per occupied room over 2023.

  • Waste Management: A commitment to reducing waste saw a 28% diversion from landfills, a 5% increase from last year, through recycling, upcycling, and food donations.

  • Water Stewardship: Efforts in infrastructure repairs, proactive leak detection, and water reuse led to a 5.1% improvement in water efficiency per occupied room.

  • Marine Conservation: The expansion of Our Marine Lab and the launch of the Coral Reef Restoration Project, in partnership with the China Environmental Protection Foundation (CEPF), were major steps in the Group’s commitment to protecting marine ecosystems.

  • Community Support: Banyan Group’s signature Seedlings programme continued to uplift local communities through training and mentorship, while engaging 306 artisan groups in rural production efforts.

  • Greater Good Grants: To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the Banyan Global Foundation funded 30 associate-led projects focused on creating long-term social, environmental, and financial benefits for local communities.

“Sustainability is a cornerstone of Banyan Group’s purpose,” said Ho Ren Yung, Deputy CEO. “We are continually evolving our approach to sustainability and empowering our associates to champion our goals.”

Angsana Velavaru’s 2024 progress

As part of Banyan Group, Angsana Velavaru has continued to align its efforts with the Group’s sustainability goals. Key initiatives in 2024 include:

  • Coral Regeneration: After the global coral bleaching event in early 2024, Angsana Velavaru resumed its coral restoration program in October. Guests have actively participated in coral planting sessions, transplanting over 1,000 fragments into the reef ecosystem.

  • Plastic-Free Pledge: The resort made strides in eliminating single-use plastics with the introduction of an in-house glass water bottling system and upcycled linen tote bags for guests, highlighting sustainable innovation.

  • Zero Net Journey: The resort completed the second phase of its solar panel installation in 2024, generating over 1,500 kWh of renewable energy daily and reducing diesel consumption by 3.8%.

  • Community Engagement: Angsana Velavaru deepened its community involvement by welcoming local students for marine conservation and hospitality career sessions, supporting artisans, and funding a computer lab at a partner school through the 2025 Greater Good Grants Fund.

  • Staff-Led Initiatives: Angsana Velavaru associates actively participated in local clean-ups and global awareness events such as Earth Hour and World Ocean Day, further fostering a sense of shared responsibility among the team.

“At Angsana Velavaru, sustainability is more than a responsibility; it’s a shared mission,” said Ahmed Zahir, General Manager. “We are proud of our team’s efforts to protect the environment and build connections with our communities.”