Maldives resort to become carbon neutral by 2010

Six Senses Resorts & Spas has announced its partnership with The Carbon Neutral Company to help offset guests' flight emissions of carbon.

Soneva Fushi in the Maldives is the first of the group's properties to take part in a program to become carbon neutral by 2010.

The resort uses local materials for accommodations and grows fresh produce in its own organic gardens to reduce food transportation energy.

In addition, it has worked with the British environmental engineering and design consultancy XCO2 in 2005 to move towards operating the entire property from zero-carbon energy.

The Six Senses Zero Emissions Objective is to achieve a 60 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2008 and to use non fossil fuel derived energy by 2010.
The program involves a three-stage strategy for reducing diesel consumption for cooling, lighting and water efficiency.

For example, the installation of heat recovery systems ensures that heat can be recycled for hot water and laundry drying and would provide all the heating needs for the resort.