The Green Journey

Paper-chasing

Posted by JLow on Nov 24, 2010

After meeting with a few key staff members and making a few calls to the local councils and Alam Flora, we have finally started on the next step; the first step being the waste segregation.

Alam Flora had earlier come to give a presentation on some facts about waste, and also what types of wastes they could collect. We discussed about the different types of wastes from the various departments around our KLIA offices.

So finally, today we collected and recycled 2.67tons of paper just from our Admin Building itself at our KLIA premises.

Airport and airline on sustainability

Posted by JLow on Nov 18, 2010

Last week, Malaysia Airlines and Malaysia Airports organised, to my knowledge, the first joint event- aimed at increasing the awareness of both companies’ staff on the issues of sustainability.

Titled “Aviation and Climate Change”, the list of esteemed speakers and topics included keynotes from both MD’s on their respective views and roles on this same issue, Mr Tan Ching Tiong, a research officer at SEADPRI-UKM, sharing the National Policy on Climate Change; Khazanah Nasional, on the Silverbook (link is a PDF file), Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability; Malaysia Airports on what our airports are doing locally and globally; Malaysia Airlines sharing what EUETS is and its own initiatives on carbon offsetting; and a special guest- DiGi, to share their Deep Green program.

As organisers we already had an idea of these topics and content. But I would like to think for that most of the attendees, especially the bosses, this would be the first time they are seeing- more importantly, learning about these issues we are all facing.

In all, I think we achieved our objective for this awareness event. That it was also rather fun organising and moderating the sessions, I would like to see more of such collaborations in future!

Travel with a difference – sustainable choices in Asia

Posted by deborahchan on Nov 4, 2010

Holidays are round the corner! If you’re planning for a holiday get-a-way and looking for something different other than the usual fare, why not consider spending your time and money with operators who are committed to environmental sustainability and social responsibility?

If you are one of these travelers, looking for a different experience, look no further because Wild Asia (WA) has chosen some of the best destinations in Asia for the annual Responsible Tourism (RT) Awards. After months of short-listing the finalists and making site visits to the final six properties and tour operators, Wild Asia has finally selected its 2010 RT Awards winners.

Now in their fifth year, the Awards are part of Wild Asia’s Responsible Tourism Initiative to promote sustainable practices through tourism. With one billion tourists expected to hit the road by 2010, the tourism industry’s impact on environment and communities throughout the world is immense. This is where the RT Awards come in. The Awards showcase exemplary resorts, hotels and tour operator ventures that are committed to sustainable practices.

“The purpose of the Awards is not to give out ‘gold stars’ to candidates each year. Our intent is to share the best practices of responsible operators to a broader audience and seek out new operators engaging in innovative programmes,” says Dr Reza Azmi, Wild Asia founder and director.

This year’s awards attracted a larger and more diverse number of participants spanning all across the Asian region, from India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and all the way to China, Philippines, and even Irian Jaya in Indonesia.

“We received a selection of high quality checklists and this proves to show that the network and awareness of Responsible Tourism is building up. Travel operators from around the region are truly striving to make a difference for a better and greener future,” says Deborah Chan, Wild Asia’s Programme Manager.

Every year the WA judging panel reviews submitted checklists (based on the UNWTO Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria) from operators throughout Asia. Two finalists for each category are shortlisted based on some of the following criteria:

• Sense of place – whether tourists understand their destinations in terms of the cultural and ecological context better through the operators’ efforts.
• Sustainability – whether these RT efforts are long-term.
• Involvement of guests – how much does the operators involve their guests in their RT practices?
• Internalisation – how much is sustainability part of the day-to-day operations?
• Reach – how far are these ideas and practices shared across the destination or even the industry?
• Continual Improvement – how do the operators strive to improve their RT efforts?

AND THE WINNERS ARE…

Heritance Kandalama, Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Heritance Kandalama has a unique architectural design which blends the hotel into the natural surroundings and maximizes natural light in order to reduce energy use. The entire hotel is built on a raised platform allowing water to flow under the hotel. It also allows the free flow of wildlife under the hotel, leaving minimum impact on the eco system.

Situated in Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle’s heartland, Heritance Kandalama is flanked by two UNESCO world heritage sites – the 1st Century BC Dambulla Cave Temple and the 5th Century AD Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The hotel is surrounded by rocky outcrops, lush forests, and overlooks the glistening Kandalama Tank. This sanctuary is teeming with biodiversity and wildlife.

For avid bird lovers and take morning walks for bird watching or visit an ancient village, Puranagama to have lunch with the locals and experience authentic village life. For more exquisite taste to your palettes, try traditional Sri Lankan dining in a cave or at an organic farm.

Sarinbuana Ecolodge, Bali, Indonesia

Nestled in the rainforest of Mount Batukaru, in the northwest region of Bali, Sarinbuana Ecolodge offers a welcomed escape from the hustle and bustle of the tourist track, and a refreshing experience that most people do not feel when visiting this island. Sarinbuana Ecolodge, which was started ten years ago, is run by Linda and Norm vant Hoff and their extended Balinese family. The eco lodge demonstrates a clear and committed practice of responsible tourism in every aspect of its operation.
Although a small lodge, with only 4 villas, Sarinbuana Ecolodge has had an enormous positive impact on the local village. Since the arrival to the Sarinbuana village, the vant Hoff family has dedicated themselves to improving local livelihoods, establishing a good relationship with the community, and learning the local language and culture in order to truly integrate with the local community.

At Sarinbuana Ecolodge, one can embrace the cool mountain breezes, lush tropical rainforests, rich Balinese culture, and appreciate life at its purest. The eco lodge operates in a truly holistic manner, exemplifies sustainability environmentally, economically and socially, and provides comfortable and pristine surroundings for true peace of mind.

Andaman Discoveries, Phang Nga, Thailand

Andaman Discoveries (AD) previously known as North Andaman Tsunami Relief (NATR) stemmed from tsunami relief pioneered by Bodhi Garrett to serve communities he had lived with and respected. After the initial rebuilding of homes through community-driven tsunami relief, it soon progressed into long-term post-tsunami development programs. Participatory workshops and community meetings sparked the idea of potential tourism as a means of economic renewal. Villagers wanted to welcome tourists in a way that will not bring negative and harmful impacts like that of mass tourism.

The idea was to maximize and utilize local knowledge and local people as a means of tourism. Villagers return empowered to set up home-stays and design a holiday experience for guests.

Now, guests can choose from six villages to stay in – mostly fishermen communities. Accommodation is simple and clean often with a fan, mattress and mosquito net for a good night rest. Guests are assigned to different host families whom they will spend their time with. Often times, guests leave with great memories of relationships being made. Some even stay to volunteer.

For more information and to watch videos of these amazing places, got to Wild Asia or WARTA NEWS