SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2021 - Banyan Tree Investor Relations
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G E N E R AT I N G
S T E WA R D S H I P
B A N YA N T R E E G R O U P
S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T 2 0 21
1
Messages to Our Stakeholders
01 Messages to Our Stakeholders
02 Highlights of Our Journey
03
Our Approach 14
Our Environment Having weathered two years of the COVID storm we now
see the light at the end of the tunnel. While there may yet be
The world continues to be uncertain and disruptive. There
is no room to talk about a post-COVID era, because we
uncertainty and setbacks, we see a resilient and sustainable will continue to encounter various kinds of threats, if not
04 About Banyan Tree Group 15 Climate Change
future, with purposeful travel embracing nature and wellness. from mutated virus, it will be human conflict. We cannot
look to the past to recapture what we once had, but rather
05 Our Values 17 Resource Use and Waste
We emerge a different business, having introduced three new we must look forward, to discover and generate new
wellbeing oriented brands, and this journey has strengthened ideas and business practices to create new opportunities
06 Our Sustainability Journey 23 Biodiversity and The Environment
our core wellbeing and environmental consciousness. for growth and development. We re-norm, re-design, re-
We see a global sustainable movement is afoot, but this structure, in view of the threats, and despite them. This
07 Brand for Good 27 Environmental Initiatives
is not new to us. Sustainability is a need not a luxury, and adaptive agility in crafting our imagination to experiment
has been a core Banyan Tree value since our founding 27 with new possibilities is key to corporate sustainability.
08 Materiality
years ago. This is our 16th sustainability report, and the
last in our current materiality cycle as we reflect on our In the midst of struggling with isolation and an uncertain
09 Stakeholder Engagement
progress and begin to chart a new path, addressing ongoing future in the travel industry, we did not paralyse and
and emerging challenges post-COVID. All our efforts up close up our minds. We have emphasised many more
12 Reporting Frameworks
to this point provide a platform for future possibilities. hours of learning and development through Zoom and
Teams, to create shared purpose, connections and unity.
12 Report Scope
The next global challenge is already upon us, and COP26 We have developed eight corporate cultures to foster
and the recent IPCC report paint a daunting picture of purpose-based business and personal development, by
13 Financial Sustainability
climate change and reinforce the collective action required. equipping associates with the necessary tools to integrate
Emission reductions during global lockdowns show what the needs of work, home, community and self.
Our Community Our Responsibility
we need to sustain to support the planet, and we shall
29 38 prepare a TCFD aligned roadmap for decarbonisation. As We believe wellbeing is not only about enjoying a healthy
a founding member and signatory of the United Nations physical condition, it is about being well in the way we
Global Compact in Singapore, our efforts extend beyond think, feel and act that are aligned with organisational
30 Associate Satisfaction and Wellbeing 39 Leadership the precautionary approach, and we have incorporated and personal goals. The hours we had spent during the
the new SGX reporting metrics a year in advance as we COVID months in bringing our associates together to learn
31 Associate Development 39 Ethical Compliance and Anti-Corruption transition to new materiality and a new world of business. from one another, had been powerful in enhancing their
understanding in what they do, for what purpose, and how.
33 Empowering Education 40 Data Privacy Supported by an engaged Board of Directors, passionate More importantly, they know they were not alone. I recall
associates, and stakeholder alliances, collective action an uplifting quote that the empire of the future is the empire
36 Promoting Cultural Heritage 40 Supply Chain can tackle what might at first appear insurmountable. of the mind. Indeed, our greatest resilience is in nurturing
Disciplined in our behaviour, transparent and well prepared minds, not afraid of change, constantly
37 Community Impact 41 Diversity, Equality and Inclusion accountable for our efforts, we accept each challenge replenished by new people, experiences and ideas.
to imagine new ways for business to better society.
42 Corporate Governance After awareness comes acceptance, and now action. Now is
the time to discover meaning and relevance in a time when
43 Future Directions less is more: less exploitation, less excess, less waste; more
care, more sharing and more conservations at all levels.
Our sustainability is about creating workplace conditions in
promoting focus, creative effort, purpose and collaboration; and
about how we walk the talk to act as stewards of livelihood,
Ho KwonPing biodiversity and culture. The journey is what matters, and we
should all aim to live each day meaningfully and purposefully.
Executive Chairman
Banyan Tree Holdings Limited
Claire Chiang
Chairperson
Banyan Tree Global Foundation
Cover image: Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape, Indonesia. Opening mid-2022.
2 3
Highlights of Our Journey Our
The Board of Directors manage for long-term sustainable value creation for all stakeholders. Sustainability remains a key
component of our corporate purpose; the Board of Directors consider sustainability issues as part of the company’s strategic
Approach
formulation, approved the selection of the material Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors and the Group’s
strategic approach to mitigating impact, and monitor progress towards set targets presented in this Report. The Directors
acknowledge ownership starts with the Board, with senior management ensuring the sustainability mission is embraced
and implemented by all in the Banyan Tree family. The following highlights showcase our progress over the course of this
Tourism has significant generative
five-year materiality cycle (or as stated if otherwise), with annual progress reported within each relevant section. power with one in ten jobs globally
and the livelihoods of millions more
Embracing the Empowering depending on the restart of tourism
Environment People for recovery and growth. Out of crisis
comes opportunity: to discover better
ways to do business, to mitigate negative
impact on lives and generate sustainable,
24% carbon neutral and resilient tourism
reduction in total
energy use
2.4 with people at the centre. A purposeful,
million sustained and generative recovery is
essential to tackle unprecedented global
28.6m hours inequality and threats to nature, create
pieces of associate training
shared value for society and support
of plastic removed,
53% total reduction
3.3% the achievement of the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
adjusted gender
pay gap 5%
unadjusted
in 2021
82%
supplier Codes of
532,194
Conduct completed
in 2021
trees planted
16% since 2007
decrease in waste
177
seedlings mentees
since 2007
134,959
participants
279,280 kg in community
programmes
49,320
of trash removed
99,843
participants in
environmental
programmes
hours
of volunteering
since 2019
4 OUR APPROACH OUR APPROACH 5
About Banyan Tree Group Our Values
Banyan Tree Holdings is one of the world’s leading Countries
independent, multi-brand hospitality groups. The Established in 1994, Banyan Tree Group was founded
Group’s diversified portfolio of hotels, resorts,
spas, galleries, golf and residences is centred on an 23 Asia
with the core value of driving long-term sustainable
development, conceptualised by our “Brand for Good”
ecosystem of 10 global brands including the award- framework and a carefully constructed motto of
15
winning Banyan Tree, Angsana, Cassia, Dhawa and Hotels and Resorts “Embracing the Environment, Empowering People”.
Laguna. In 2021, new brands Folio, Garrya and Homm
were added along with new Banyan Tree brand
extensions, Banyan Tree Escape and Banyan Tree Veya. 55 China, Guam, India,
Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait,
Our mission is to build globally recognised brands that
create exceptional experiences for our guests, instil
pride and integrity in our associates, and enhance
Laos, Malaysia, Maldives,
Detailed breakdowns of operations (pages 10 to Spas both the physical and human environment in which
Qatar, Singapore, South
21), markets served (pages 24 to 39), revenue and we operate. In doing so, we deliver attractive returns
63
Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand
finance (pages 71 to 76) can be found in our Annual to our shareholders, and prove that doing good can
and Vietnam
Report (investor.banyantree.com). Headquartered be good business. It is a strategic priority to protect
in Singapore, we have a global presence including what is ours and evangelise our philosophy to our Creating exceptional design-led
ownership or management interest in: Golf Courses Africa stakeholders as a business value proposition. experiences for guests and customers
through our services and products.
3 3 Operating in diverse locations, our approach of
sustainable stewardship for people, planet and
Providing fair and dignified employment for
Mauritius, Morocco prosperity, employs an integrated and participatory
our associates which enhances their ability to
Room Keys and South Africa approach to minimise impact, while safeguarding
contribute to the company’s growth and elevates
and enhancing the human and physical environment
7,970
their job prospects with Banyan Tree and beyond.
for present and future generations. A balanced
Europe and purposeful business approach supports
long-term value creation across our global
The global pandemic continued to impact travel
and tourism in 2021. We continued to protect
Guests Served
(in calendar year) 3 network of properties, products and brands.
Enabling long-term prosperity for communities
Greece, Ireland Crisis provides an opportunity to rediscover purpose, in which we operate through business conduct,
667,507
and support associate health and wellbeing (page
and Portugal reinforce the values on which Banyan Tree Group operations and harness our competencies
29), and invested in learning and development
was founded, and support the generation of human, to address issues facing the community.
(page 30) to create connections and shared
social, natural and financial capital. We go beyond the
purpose during this challenging time.
Countries of Residence North America precautionary principle, to harmonise our operations
with nature and cultivate enduring partnerships with Exercising the precautionary approach to
175 2
To date, our efforts have been acknowledged
our stakeholders. This report presents and evaluates environmental impacts of our operations,
by 102 sustainability awards, with 16 in 2021,
the challenges and progress of our journey in 2021, and taking an active role in the protection
most notably the Singapore Apex Corporate
90% of guests from Cuba and Mexico and establishes our future focus and ambition. and remediation of global ecosystems.
Sustainability Award (Sustainable Business),
China, Thailand, Republic
Sustainable Business Award (Community) and
of Korea, United States, banyantreeglobalfoundation.com/our-approach/
ASEAN Business Award (Skills Development).
Vietnam and Mexico
Conducting business with suppliers and vendors
in a fair and transparent manner while working
in partnership to enhance societal benefits.
Associate
Non-supervisor Supervisor Senior Management
Snapshot*
Gender Generating sustained, long-term
Female 44.0% 46.3% 39.3% returns for our shareholders.
Total number
of associates Male 56.0% 53.7% 60.7%
(as of 31 Dec)
Age
6,621 Above 50
30-50
7.8%
52.7%
6.5%
81.6%
27.4%
71.8%
Number of Below 30 39.4% 11.9% 0.8%
Nationalities Education
(as of 31 Dec)
Degree and above 17.1% 46.8% 70.2%
50 Diploma
Technical & Vocational
18.4%
14.2%
28.3%
8.0%
21.6%
5.3%
High School A level 21.4% 9.2% 1.2%
* B
ased on Group reported
data, excluding Bangkok, High School O level 23.3% 7.0% 1.6%
Cuba and newly opened Primary School 5.0% 0.7% 0.0%
Doha and Corfu which were
unavailable at time of reporting No formal education 0.6% 0.0% 0.0%
6 OUR APPROACH OUR APPROACH 7
Our Sustainability Journey 2005 Brand for Good
Founding member of United
Nations Global Compact Network
Singapore; Ms Claire Chiang Sustainable by design, Banyan Tree Group has an “Stay for Good” embeds core sustainable and stewardship
began four-year term as inaugural established track record of delivering each step of the values in operations and guest experience, promoting
president for Singapore Compact development process for individual hotels and precinct- community engagement and partnership to drive long-term
for CSR, now known as Global level integrated developments and resorts. Stewardship positive impact. We champion our ethos of “Embracing the
Compact Network Singapore of natural and cultural heritage is integrated holistically Environment, Empowering People” through projects with
from concept to sustained operations, with all brands external beneficiaries supported by matching hotel and
abiding by our proprietary “Stay for Good” programme. guest donations to the Green Imperative Fund (see page
2004 2006 banyantreeglobalfoundation.com/build-for-good
41), directed by the Banyan Tree Global Foundation.
First resort-based First sustainability report
marine lab established published by Banyan Tree Group,
in the Maldives ahead of its time in corporate
reporting and transparency
1992 2001
American Express and Green Imperative
International Hotel Association Fund (GIF) Spa for Good
Environmental Award for launched
Showcase local heritage
remediating “toxic site”
We all share a responsib ility not
only to safeguar d and ingredients
into Laguna Phuket but also to enhance both our human
natural environm ents
and
Vocational training
through Spa Academy
Stay for Good
Hotel Operations Guest Engagement:
2010 2007 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
2006
Efficient and engaged
with communities
Passive and active
activities connecting
Meet for Good
Sustainable events venue
EarthCheck selected Resource conservation initiated to support efficient with culture and nature Second-party verified
as strategic partner for operations; Greening Communities launched to raise Green Imperative Fund:
external sustainability awareness of climate change; Seedlings Mentorships Gift for Good Guest and hotel Annual Celebrations:
certification launched to empower young people through matching donations Earth Hour, Earth Day,
education; Bintan Conservation Lab Launched Community craft World Environment
showcase Day, World Food Day
2014 2009 Retail with a difference
Build for Banyan Tree
Good and Stay Global Foundation
for Good frame- established Build for Good
works launched Eat for Good Concept and Design: Certify and
Social enterprise eatery Local architecture Benchmark: Design
and materials and operate against
Vocational training
expectation (baseline)
for young adults Construction: and possibility
Protect/remediate site (best practice)
and translate design
mindset to operations
2015 2017 2019 2020 2021
Stay for Good framework Stakeholder-inclusive material analysis 25th Anniversary of Banyan Greater Good Grants launched Established the Banyan Tree China
expanded to include to frame and direct sustainability Tree Group; 15th Anniversary of to support external projects, Enterprise Environment and Community
Meet for Good, Eat for efforts; alignment of efforts with United Banyan Tree Marine Lab in the supplier code of conduct Fund with China Environmental Protection
Good, Gift for Good Nations Sustainable Development Maldives, 10th Anniversary of Foundation; joined Expedia Group in
and Spa for Good Goals; adoption of GRI core standards Banyan Tree Global Foundation the UNESCO Sustainable Travel Pledge
8 OVERVIE W OUR APPROACH 9
Materiality Stakeholder Engagement
The global pandemic has disrupted livelihoods and for the four greatest material risks from our business, (waste, Generation of sustained partnerships supports progress towards
business, instigating our new materiality review to ensure biodiversity, water scarcity, and climate change), and we the SDGs, and our business is a vessel to communicate, engage
we address the most current and pressing impacts to include diversity, equality and inclusion, and health and and bring together stakeholders to create shared value. Regular,
stakeholders from our business operations. Presently there wellbeing due to alignment with our core values. The exclusion transparent and two-way communication builds trust and is
are no hospitality sector-specific reporting standards, so we of topics we previously reported on (e.g. leadership, supply central to our stakeholder-inclusive approach to business.
updated our 2017 review of published academic literature, chain) reflects progress made, while new topics such as water
as well as competitor and industry reports to incorporate scarcity have emerged as increasingly important (see matrix). We define our stakeholders as groups that our business has
emerging material risks. Following consolidation, executive significant impact on, and those with a vested interest in our
management reviewed and approved for prioritisation a This report is the last for our current material topics. For each operations. We embrace diversity of stakeholders and the
shortlist of 14 existing and emerging environmental, social and topic, we present the scope and importance, our management communication channels, to not just anticipate stakeholder
governance (ESG) material risks pertinent to our business. approach, commitments, responsibilities, targets and progress. needs, but to engage and give stakeholders a platform to voice
Further details on the alignment, selection, description and concerns and needs. Stakeholders and their issues of interest,
The severity and likelihood of material risk impacts were rated progress for each material topic can be found online*. and the engagement platforms we use are outlined in the table.
following GRI (2021) guidance, via an online survey, with 659 In 2022, we shall establish baselines and triple-horizon
senior and executive management respondents across Banyan targets for our new framework against which we will In 2021, we continued to evangelise our sustainability
Tree Group worldwide. Material topics were evaluated at the track progress until 2030, aligned with the SDGs and new philosophy within travel and tourism, our supply chain (page to a growing sustainable travel movement by signing the
residual level, considering the adequacy and effectiveness of Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX) reporting frameworks. We 39) and employ a cross-sector collaborative approach to UNSECO Sustainable Travel Pledge with Expedia Group.
existing controls and progress, and comparing the impact of will periodically review our materiality assessment to ensure engage individuals, businesses, NGOs, public and private
each topic from our business against other topics rather than it addresses current stakeholder needs to deliver on our institutions worldwide. The pandemic continued to challenge We grew our partnership network to tackle global challenges
within a global context that may not be within our control. stewardship efforts through “Embracing the Environment, in-person engagement and public gatherings, so we used and threats, during a period of restricted movement, teaming
Empowering People” and promoting responsible travel. this opportunity to strengthen online engagement with our up Earth Day Network to combat climate change (page 15),
External stakeholder opinions will be incorporated in 2022 associates through our new internal mobile application “BT and issuing funding to eight NGOs in our inaugural round
to define impact scope and develop mitigation strategies * banyantreeglobalfoundation.com/material-topics Connect”, and held an online pledge campaign for Earth Day. of Greater Good Grants (pages 13, 18 to 25). As we engage
Externally, we supported youth awareness online through the through these platforms, we deepen our partnerships and
UNGC Singapore platform, and added our voice and action continue to develop our network for collective action for good.
Environment 2022 2017 Social 2022 2017 Governance 2022 2017
banyantreeglobalfoundation.com/stakeholders
Waste
Biodiversity
Employees Customers
Climate Change
Water Scarcity (Guests, Homebuyers)
Engagement Opportunities
• Regular dialogue sessions with senior management, Engagement Opportunities
workplace visits and luncheons
Increasing likelihood of occurrence
• Townhall meetings, associate recognition events, • Booking, on-site and post-stay platforms, evaluations
awards and outings and engagement (e.g. ReviewPro)
• Newsletters (weekly Make a Difference, quarterly • Digital concierge platforms, hotel apps (e.g. Intelity)
ROOTS), group announcements, and onsite and QR codes to display content
noticeboards • Engagement with associates, Stay for Good initiatives
Cultural Heritage
• Green teams, innovation committees, nature clubs and the Green Imperative Fund
and other groups with frequent events and activities, • Annual sustainability events, on-site activities and
Human Rights supported by pro-bono day presentations
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion • Trainings, workshops and seminars, Management • Information boards, posters and TV channels in travel
Academy (e.g. 8 culture workshops, on-the-job, cross lounges, transportation, rooms and public areas
Socio-economic Development
exposure, sustainability, lifestyle) • Social media (weekly), and press announcements
• Brand app (BT Connect), innovation platform and news
Infrastructure Development (X-Change), SharePoint and Teams groups, social • Complaint and whistle-blower channels
Health and Wellbeing media platforms
• Associate satisfaction surveys, wellbeing surveys, and Issues and Concerns
cooperatives
• Service,
experience and lifestyle
Sex Tourism and Human Trafficking Issues and Concerns • Facilities, features and promotions
• Feedback, rating and recognition
Ethical Compliance • Job security development and flexibility • Cleanliness, health and safety, environment
and Anti Corruption • Remuneration and benefits • Ethical practices
Supply Chain
• Health and safety • Interactive and flexible communication
• Happiness and wellbeing
• Rights and ethical practice
Increasing magnitude of impact • Policy and procedure
10 11
Owners Board Investors, Media Community
Engagement Opportunities Engagement Opportunities Engagement Opportunities Engagement Opportunities
• Owner representatives with regular communication • Quarterly Reports, President’s Letter and newsletters • Annual General Meetings • Events, meetings, forums and discussion groups
through phone (toll free number), email or • Annual Reports and AGM • Financial result announcements and briefings • Festivals and exhibitions, webinars and workshops
messaging apps • External and internal training and experts access • Press releases and interviews, conferences and • Consultation dialogues, town hall meetings and
• Monthly owner and lifestyle letters, quarterly • Compliance and risk management meetings community agreements
Presidents letter annual reports and presentations • Brand and PR communications (new openings, • Media invitations, site familiarisation visits and • Website and owned media, through comments and
• Annual owner satisfaction surveys launches and news) virtual tours direct messaging
• Onsite visits to owners and best practice • Leverage domain expertise of Board on • Social media and industry speaking platforms for • NGO, academic, charity and business collaborations
demonstrations strategic topics thought leadership • Greater Good Grant funding for local projects
• Care and value-added services, gift products, owner • Meet-up between Board and Management outside • Sustainability website and quarterly ROOTED • Podcasts presentations and reports
experience offerings of regular Board sessions reports
• Product experience through property visits and Issues and Concerns
Issues and Concerns other offerings Issues and Concerns
• Local economic and capacity development
• Revenue and productivity Issues and Concerns • ESG indicators and performance • Social inclusion and youth engagement
• Resource efficiency • Governance and tracking • Human rights, ethical practices and compliance
• Customer happiness • ESG performance and governance • Business and strategy updates • Waste pollution and environmental protection
• Reputation and marketing • Regulatory exchange compliance • PR engagement • Community collaboration and projects
• Labour and benefits • Corporate conduct and stakeholder engagement • Business awareness and environment consciousness
• Internal controls and risk mitigation • Social responsbility to environment and people
• Branding DNA and reputation
• Diversity in inputs on business strategy
• Fostering wider stakeholders interest
• Product knowledge
Suppliers, Government, Industry
B2B, Builders Engagement Opportunities
Engagement Opportunities • Senior management representation on
industry boards
• On-site meetings, audits and remediation plans • Annual reporting, websites, awards and accolades
• Supplier code of conduct declarations and new • Industry speaking and thought leadership platforms
supplier evaluations e.g. UNGC engagement
• Environmental Impact Assessments • Consultation and capacity development workshops,
• Regular communication with Regional Sales Offices partnership programmes
• Audit, inspections and certifications
Issues and Concerns
Issues and Concerns
• Revenue and responsible procurement
• Health and safety • Responsible development and operation
• Resource and waste management • Advocating industry and ESG best practice
• Compliance and governance • Low carbon transition
• Regulation and complaince
• Strategic collaboration
• Occupational health and safety
12 OUR APPROACH OUR APPROACH 13
Reporting Frameworks Financial
Sustainability
Businesses can play an important role in the successful • This report is voluntarily produced with reference to the
resolution of some of the most pressing contemporary Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards: Core option
global challenges for people and the planet. Tourism has (2016), which provides credible international independent Tourism will play an important role in the recovery of
considerable potential to generate sustainable development, standards. A complete GRI Standards content index is national economies and global trade, with over 100 million
support livelihoods and nurture resilient environments provided online (banyantreeglobalfoundation.com/gri). livelihoods worldwide depending on the restart of tourism
on which it depends, particularly in Least Developed This is our fifth annual sustainability report using the for recovery and growth. The United Nations World
Countries and Small Island Developing States where GRI framework, and we will continue to report against Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) called for diversification
tourism accounts for up to 80% of domestic GDP. this framework for transparency and consistency. of tourism in 2022 and beyond, to boost job creation
and protect natural resources and cultural heritage.
We employ multiple frameworks for the strategic • In 2021, the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX) proposed a
management of our material risks and to support transparent, list of core ESG metrics aligned with GRI, TCFD, SASB and The announcement of three new brands and two Banyan
standardised and comparable communication of our WEF frameworks for implementation FY22. We transition Tree brand extensions, along with the strengthening
economic, environmental and social impacts, as well as to this framework one year in advance, adopting metrics of our sustainability and wellbeing offerings, builds on Group Revenue 17%
contribution towards sustainable development: that currently align with our existing reporting scope. 27 years of experience and commitment to sustainable Revenue contribution Fee-Based
development, re-establishing our purpose and positioning in 2021 (S$)
• As a founding signatory of the United Nations the Group for business in a next normal. The financial
Global Compact in Singapore (UNGS), we apply the
precautionary principle when managing and mitigating
capital summary herein provides transparency as a core
pillar of sustainability; a more detailed review can be found
221.2m 27%
Hotel
Investments
the impacts of our material risks, and align our efforts in the annual report (pages 26 to 29). Financial sustainability
and reporting with the UNGC’s Ten Principles for human provides the fuel for the business as a vehicle “for good”,
56%
rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. creating shared value for people and the planet.
Branded Residences
and Extended Stay
• The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development makes Our Group’s revenue includes Hotel Investments, Branded
a specific call to tourism to support delivery of the Residences and Extended Stay, and Fee-based business. As
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), at 31 December 2021, revenue from our Hotel Investments
particularly #8: decent work and economic growth, was contributed by Thailand (37%), Indian Ocean (62%) Hotel Investments 1%
#12: responsible consumption and production, and #14: and Others (1%). Branded Residences and Extended Stay Revenue contribution Others
life below water. We align our reporting with the SDG consist of sales of Hotel Residences, Laguna residences and in 2021 (S$)
Framework and do not limit our ambition, but apply Extended Stay and Development Site Sales. Our fee-based
this global agenda to the local social and environmental
context where we operate based on stakeholder needs.
business comprises Hotel, Fund and Club management,
Spa and Gallery Operations, Design and other services.
59.5m 37%
Thailand
62%
Indian Ocean
Branded Residences 18%
and Extended Stay Hotel Residences
Revenue contribution
in 2021 (S$) 7%
122.8m Laguna
Report Scope
Residences and
Extended Stay
75%
Development
Site Sales
This is Banyan Tree Group’s 16th annual sustainability MATTER, our in-house socially motivated brand, due to
report. This Report presents data for the calendar cessation of business, or Angsana House in Singapore.
year as of 31st December 2021, and focuses on hotel,
Fee-based 64%
resort, spa and gallery operations owned or managed We report progress of Key Performance Indicators for each
Revenue contribution Hotel/Fund/Club
by Banyan Tree Group’s headquarters in Singapore. material topic over the past five years where available.
in 2021 (S$) Management
Emissions data is reported for Scope 1 and 2, while residences
Since our last report, the scope now includes eight new
hotels and resorts: Dhawa Quzhou (China), Angsana Corfu
and hotel construction are not currently reported as they reside
beyond our reporting boundary with Scope 3 impacts. Previous 38.9m 19%
Design and
Other Services
(Greece), Banyan Tree Nanjing Garden Expo (China), reports and additional information can be found on the Banyan
Banyan Tree Doha at La Giale Mushaireb (Qatar), Banyan Tree Global Foundation website at banyantreeglobalfoundation.
Tree Puebla (Mexico), Garrya Huzhou Lucun (China), com/stories-we-share. We welcome comments, questions and 17%
Homm Bliss Southbeach Patong (Thailand) and Garrya feedback on this report, directed to our Chief Sustainability Spa/Gallery
Xi’an Lintong (China). The scope no longer includes Officer Dr Steve Newman at steve.newman@banyantree.com. Operations
14 OUR ENVIRONMENT 15
Our Climate Change
Environment Climate change presents one of the greatest global
challenges of our time and COP26 highlighted the critical
point at which we stand, and the need for greater climate
levels. However, the return of international travel and planned
business growth requires a deep understanding of how to
decarbonise and achieve net-zero by 2050. Therefore, in 2021
transparency and a net-zero economy. Travel and tourism we mapped our Scope 1 and 2 emissions, with energy audits
contributes to, and is impacted by, climate change. At the planned for older properties, and a group-wide equipment
Biodiversity and ecosystem goods same time, a climate-friendly travel and tourism industry inventory to guide efficiency improvements in 2022. Solar
and services support all life on can be a catalyst for support in destinations at risk. panels were installed at Laguna Phuket Kindergarten to replace
half their power supply, and Power Purchase Agreements are
earth, and the interconnectedness Research commissioned by the International Tourism being explored across the Group to target eligible properties
between the environment and Partnership (ITP, 2018) indicated the global hotel industry based on emissions, location and design. Working with
needs to reduce absolute carbon emissions by 66% by EarthCheck, we calculated science-based targets, accounting
people highlighted by the ongoing 2030 and 90% by 2050 to stay within a 2oC climate for business growth to 2050 under multiple scenarios
pandemic requires a coordinated and change scenario. Our approach towards decarbonisation using the Sectoral Decarbonisation Approach to better
and climate change mitigation includes improvements understand our emission trajectory and reduction needs.
collaborative approach to conserve, in energy efficiency, awareness and behavioural change
manage and restore natural systems. programmes, increasing the prevalence of renewable As climate change remains a key material risk to stakeholders
energy, and spearheading greening projects. We embed and business, we are prioritising the strategic development
climate change and related issues in our business strategy, and integration of a decarbonisation strategy aligned with
Our business is intrinsically dependent on engage across the value chain, and promote responsible the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC, 2021)
natural heritage, with biodiverse habitats travel through a participatory stakeholder approach. industry guidance and the Task Force on Climate-Related
Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework in 2022, which
an attraction requiring our careful Restricted traveller movements and temporary operational we will communicate in our next Sustainability Report.
stewardship. We employ a science- closures continued to keep Group total resource use (page
18) and waste production (page 19) lower than pre-pandemic
based approach to detect and track
change, implement efficient operations
and resource conservation initiatives to
mitigate impact, deploy education and
awareness programmes to support action,
and curate partnerships to access domain
expertise needed to conserve and restore Earth Hour
sensitive ecosystems and threatened
Each year we give a voice to climate change awareness by
species. This holistic approach extends joining the global Earth Hour movement to turn off non-
beyond traditional hospitality business essential lights for one hour at our properties. Forty properties
participated in 2021, saving 6,761 kWh of electricity in a
operations to support climate action and single hour: equivalent to 18 months’ worth of energy to
the Sustainable Development Goals. power a four-room public housing unit in Singapore (ema.
gov.sg). Our Maldives properties continue to extend this
initiative to each full moon, saving an additional 844 kWh
in 2021. Since 2017, individual engagement has increased
by 362% with 42,444 participants, and our Group has
saved 21,921 kWh, equivalent to 8.9 tonnes of CO2.
Properties Participants Energy Savings (kwh)
40 10,597 6,761
2,970
2,926
1,413
12,682
14,826
10,597
3,600
5,018
3,572
6,761
23
37
41
21
2017 2018 2019 2020 40
2021 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
16 OUR ENVIRONMENT 17
Resource Use
Greening Communities
and Waste
Since 2007, our Greening Communities programme has
planted 532,494 trees in local communities to raise awareness
of climate change, sequestering approximately 183,568
tonnes of carbon (based on 40 kg of carbon sequestered
per tree per year, and assuming 100% survival).
In 2021, we planted 9,306 trees, despite challenges during
the ongoing pandemic, including 5,150 trees planted in
Conservation of resources and waste reductions go EarthCheck Progress
beyond operational efficiency, to support climate
Mexico’s Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve as part of a
change action and promote healthy communities and By end of 2021, 38 sectors including 30 hotels in which
partnership with EARTHDAY.ORG’s The Canopy Project.
environments. The principles of reduce, reuse and recycle we have management or ownership interest were
During a month-long campaign, with strong support from
have been implemented at all properties, and resources enrolled with EarthCheck. Gold or Platinum certification
guests, each booking included a US$1 donation, which we
are conserved through improved efficiency, adoption of has been achieved by 74% of enrolled sectors, while
dollar-matched to raise US$10,300 for The Canopy Project.
new practices or technology, and awareness programmes in 2021 the newly enrolled Banyan Tree Huangshan,
Our contribution enabled The Canopy Project to plant
to encourage behavioural change and best practice. Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur and Pavilion Hotel Kuala
30,000 trees in Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve with the
Lumpur resorts achieved Bronze Benchmarked.
support of 2,000 people from 50 communities, to counter
Our KPIs are a 5% annual reduction in energy, emissions,
climate change, produce food and create bird habitats.
water and waste at each property, and the implementation
of at least one resource conservation initiative per
22,351
Trees Planted Participants property each year. Emission reductions focus on
18,382
4,184
4,077
4,077
15,142
14,576
3,563
Scope 1 and 2 as they remain within our control.
9,306 4,077
9,306
A strategic partnership with EarthCheck* since 2010
provides assurance, benchmarking and certification,
476
with offsite data validation continuing in 2021 due to the
pandemic preventing onsite audits. Energy and water use
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
by properties not registered with EarthCheck were verified
from financial documentation. Waste could not be verified
Cumulative trees planted (bar) Cumulative tonnes CO 2 sequestered (line) and are not included, but we will standardise waste and
recycling tracking for all properties in 2022. Calculations
Banyan Tree Lijiang
532,494 183,568 of percent water and waste recycled for the Group were
made on absolute values rather than averaged across
properties. Data presented may exhibit minor variance
600,000 200,000 from previous reports due to auditing verification.
Banyan Tree Bangkok
Total resource use is reported as the sum of all hotels, resorts, Banyan Tree Mayakoba
offices and golf courses. Resource intensity for hotels and Banyan Tree Samui
resorts is presented per occupied room (POR) to allow Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
300,000 100,000
comparison at different occupancies. Travel restrictions Banyan Tree Ringha
continued to reduce occupancies, resulting in higher resource Banyan Tree Sanya
intensity values due to public area baseloads. Consequently, Banyan Tree Macau
no insightful comparisons were possible with regional industry Banyan Tree Cabo Marqués
0 0 average or best practice data provided by EarthCheck. Angsana Ihuru
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Angsana Velavaru
* earthcheck.org/media/49073/final-master-
earthcheck- Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel
company-standard_version-4_may18.pdf Laguna Lăng Cô (Banyan Tree, Angsana,
Golf, Laguna Services)
Community conservation to restore and
GREATER GOOD GRANT
Laguna Phuket (Banyan Tree, Angsana, Cassia,
protect Borneo’s rainforests Golf, Laguna Holiday Club, Angsana Villas
Resort, LRH Offices, Laguna Services)
Laguna Bintan (Banyan Tree, Angsana,
Location: Indonesia Recipient: Borneo Nature Foundation
Cassia and Golf)
Borneo’s vast peatland forests are home to the largest remaining orangutan
populations, provide economic and social benefits for indigenous communities,
and are major global carbon stores. Unfortunately, they are being destroyed
by annual fires resulting from decades of poor land management. Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul
Banyan Tree Yangshuo
In 2021, four new community nurseries were established to empower rural Banyan Tree House in Singapore
communities to grow native seedlings for reforestation, with the necessary Banyan Tree Chongqing Beibei
resources and training provided. Over 47,000 seedlings were purchased Banyan Tree Anji
from the nurseries, and planted in previously-burnt regions of the Sebangau Banyan Tree Huangshan
National Park in order to regrow the forest, expand the area of wildlife Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur
habitat, and reduce risk of future fires. These planted seedlings are monitored Angsana Tengchong Hot Springs Village
consistently, with high rates of planting success and seedling survival to date. Angsana Xi’an Lintong
Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur
At the same time, in spite of challenges brought on by COVID-19
restrictions, online resources were used to deliver environmental
education and raise awareness in schools and clubs.18 19
Energy and Emissions Water and Waste
Total energy use and corresponding Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse Total annual potable water use increased by 6% to 4.53 Total waste reduced by 8% to 7,829 cubic metres and
gas emissions (GHG) increased by 13% and 11% respectively billion litres and use POR increased by 2.5%, due to new waste production decreased by 12.5% to 14.0 litres POR for
due to resuming operations and new openings. Energy and reopened operations. However, total water use in 2021 EarthCheck registered properties and business units, largely
Resource Conservation Initiatives
use increased to 1,297,028 GJ, comprising 55% purchased was 18% lower than 2017. Thirty-six water conservation due to increased recycling efforts. Absolute waste production
electricity, 42% stationary fuel and 3% mobile fuel, while initiatives saved 329 million litres of water, an equivalent in 2021 was 16% lower than 2017. Potentially hazardous
GHG emissions increased to 113,660 tonnes. Total energy use Number of Initiatives value of over US$765,000, while over 541 million litres of waste associated with the pandemic such as face masks
and GHG emissions were both 24% lower than 2017 despite water used by the Group was recycled or recaptured. were disposed of according to local health regulations.
new property openings, due to improvements in resource
118
50
efficiency and some temporary operational closures in 2021. In partnership with the China Environmental Protection Recycling initiatives at 21 properties engaged over 2,200
109
118
86
90
Fund (see page 42), we installed safe drinking water facilities participants, where waste was recycled, donated, or
Energy use and GHG production intensity (POR) increased at Central Primary School in Yangshuo County, benefitting transformed into art to raise awareness of best practice
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
by 3.4% and 6.6% respectively, largely due to baseloads 1,096 students and teachers, and supported by education and reduce waste to landfill. In 2022, we shall implement
and lower occupancies compared to pre-COVID. Seventy- activities on water conservation, health and safety. compulsory waste monitoring and recycling tracking at all
Number of Properties
four energy conservation initiatives saved 5.02 million kWh properties including those not registered with EarthCheck.
worth US$1.26m in 2021, predominantly driven by LED and
air conditioner replacements, and energy-saving behavioural
changes. We are targeting a complete elimination of
40
27
33
38
34
40
incandescent bulbs and full transition to LEDs by end of 2023.
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Percent water Percent waste recycled,
Energy Water
recycled/recaptured reused or composted
1,297,028 1,897 4,670,111 5,605 2021
13.5
GJ (bar) Megajoules per KL (bar) Litres per Occupied
2020 16.7 2020 16.5 2020
2019
Occupied Room (line) Room (line) 2019 25.5 2019 18.3 2018
2,000,000 2,000 8,000,000 6,000 2018 50.0 2018 36.0 2017 2021
1,000,000
0
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
1,500
1,000
4,000,000
0
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
4,500
3,000
2017 39.8 2017 36.5
16.4
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Waste
113,660 185 7,829 14
Scope 1 and 2, tonnes Kilograms Carbon Dioxide m3 (bar) Litres per Occupied
e CO2 (bar) equivalent per Occupied Room (line) Room (line)
180,000 200 16,000 16
140,000 160 11,000 12
100,000 120
6,000 8
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
GREATER GOOD GRANT
Safe Water Gardens
Location: Indonesia
Recipient: Safe Water Gardens, Loola Adventure Group
Access to clean running water is a basic human right, but possessed
by only three families in rural Bumi Indah village in Bintan. Pumps,
water tanks and sinks were installed in 37 households delivering
lifelong safe sanitation to homes, boosting self-esteem and reducing
existing inequality between city and village populations.
Installations used simple and reliable construction methods, with widely
available materials so the community can maintain their water systems. An
average of five taps per house were provided to serve water to the kitchen,
bathroom and garden, encouraging good hygiene for COVID-19 prevention,
as well as crop and flower gardening for improved food security.20 21
Food and the Environment Plastic Reduction and Elimination
Food loss and waste accounts for over US$1 trillion in
economic losses and 8% of greenhouse gas emissions 280.7 tonnes Plastic production and consumption contribute to greenhouse
gas emissions and pose a significant threat to the health
Our property in Vietnam added a water bottling plant in
2021, eliminating 360,000 plastic bottles annually, joining
globally. Food production also uses 25% of global of food recycled or and wellbeing of people and the planet. Since our pledge our properties in Bintan and the Maldives in bottling
freshwater and a larger land area than China. Achieving to reduce single-use plastic on Earth Day 2018, we have locally to reduce plastic waste. The top ten performing
net-zero is impossible without tackling food loss and waste,
donated in 2021 tracked 31 categories of plastic for reduction. Compared properties have reduced single-use plastic by more than
and sustainable food choices benefit climate change, to a 2017 baseline, we have reduced single-use plastic 80%, with seven properties achieving reductions over 90%
biodiversity, water availability and personal health. by 53%, with almost 9 million less pieces of plastic used in 2021. The overall reduction trend in single-use plastic
in 2021, totalling 28.6 million pieces of plastic prevented for the Group continues despite reduced operations, newly
Our food waste goals are 30% reduction and 50% diversion from going to landfill or the environment since 2018. opened properties and the increase in select items due
from landfill by 2025, with 50% reduction and 100% to necessary health measures during the pandemic.
diversion by 2030. Our diversion efforts recycled or donated We used over 2,400 km less cling film in 2021 compared
280.7 tonnes of food in 2021, but temporary closures to the 2017 baseline, with a cumulative saving of 4,514 We support our reduction efforts with collaborative community
prevented accurate measurement of the total food footprint km less cling film used since 2017: almost the distance clean-ups (see page 28) to remediate and cleanse natural
of the Group. Our property in Ringha purchased three pigs from Singapore to South Korea. Of three prioritised items, systems, support a shift from a single-use disposable society,
for recycling food waste, and our team in Tamouda Bay we have reduced 2.4 million straws (98% reduction), 1.7 as well as protect biodiversity threatened by plastic waste.
partnered with Ekogeste to recycle frying oil into biodiesel. million bottles (41%) and 1.3 million bags (46%) across the
Composting organic waste at our property in Vietnam Group. Bag use increased in 2021 due to ongoing COVID-
produced an additional 180 tonnes of natural fertiliser, with associated health protocols. These reductions were achieved
a saving of US$51,662 from purchasing chemical fertiliser. despite the inclusion of use by newly opened properties.
Food diversion can reduce emissions, and the ongoing
partnership with Scholars of Sustenance in Thailand Total percent reduction
contributed a further 6.8 tonnes of diverted food, and saved Percent Reduced (bar)
12.9 tonnes of GHG equivalent emissions. To date this
2021
partnership has provided 40,868 servings to people in need,
diverting almost 10 tonnes of food from landfills, saving
16.9 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions. Meat Free days
continued at 23 properties to support methane reductions
and awareness of climate change impact from food, and 13
53.0
properties operated organic gardens and farms. Our organic 2020 54.0
farm ORI9IN in Chiang Mai, Thailand, opened the ‘Waiting
for May’ picnic restaurant serving field-to-fork sustainable
2019 45.0
dishes made using locally grown and sourced ingredients. 2018 24.0
Sustainable food is not just what you eat, but where 28,577,896
it comes from and how it is produced. To support our pieces of plastics
understanding of our food supply, we partnered with a Pew
Charitable Trust project to better understand IUU (Illegal, 2018 2019 2020 2021
removed since 2018
Unreported and Unregulated) seafood in our Phuket supply
chain, to learn lessons for implementation in the Group.
Strengthening community stewardship towards Tackling agricultural waste to protect threatened water
GREATER GOOD GRANT
GREATER GOOD GRANT
the conservation of unique aquatic wildlife bird species in a high-priority wetland in Cambodia
in India’s Ghaghra-Sarju River system
Location: Cambodia Recipient: NatureLife Cambodia
Location: India Recipient: Wildlife Conservation Society, India
Agricultural waste in the marshes and flooded grasslands of the Anlung Pring Protected
Area, a high-priority wetland in Cambodia, threatens the resident population of
Strengthening community participation and amalgamating traditional
globally threatened Sarus Crane. A community-based waste disposal system was
lifestyles with conservation initiatives supports the conservation of
implemented in consultation with local communities to better manage and dispose
unique aquatic wildlife and establishes a self-sustainable, community-led
potentially hazardous agricultural chemical waste, mitigating risk of leaking potentially
conservation model for others to follow. A makeshift “turtle school” at the
toxic agro-pollutants into an already fragile, fragmented wetland ecosystem.
River Conservation Centre benefitted 154 non-school going children from
four hamlets, imparting primary education and nurturing conservation
Interviews revealed willingness of local villagers to dispose of waste properly following
awareness. Alternate livelihood training in innovative small-scale farming to
awareness meetings that developed understanding about the impact of pollution on
28 women and river tourism to 24 fishers helped reduce families’ dependence
agricultural land, human health, and local wildlife. Following requests for the scheme
on riverbed agriculture and aquatic wildlife, and further support food and
to be expanded, waste disposal systems have been installed in four villages, training
nutritional security of households with no or limited land resources.
sessions and awareness meetings organised among farmer groups, and rangers trained
to both track and record wildlife poisoning incidents and intercept illegal hunting.22 OUR ENVIRONMENT 23
Degraded mangrove ecosystem restoration and Biodiversity and
GREATER GOOD GRANT
community empowerment in Mahakam Delta The Environment
Location: Indonesia Recipient: Titian Lestari Foundation
The Mahakam Delta in Borneo provides significant carbon Biodiversity loss continues at an unprecedented rate
sequestration combating climate change as well as home to critically due to human activity, requiring the conservation and
endangered species. Reforesting mangroves and establishing alternative regeneration of natural ecosystems. Our efforts support
livelihoods for locals is crucial to restoring this degraded delta. the transformation of destinations to more sustainable and
resilient models founded on stewardship and responsible use.
Plastic polybags typically used to protect seedlings were replaced
by environmentally friendly ecopolybags made from woven nipah A holistic approach to protect the environment starts with
palm leaves. Durable against natural elements, these ecopolybags design, through construction to operation, integrating natural
have also given locals a new skill to generate additional income. habitats and wildlife of conservation importance. Risk
assessments for new development projects protect nearby
A community nursery developed by this project accommodates sensitive habitats or areas of high biodiversity. Twenty-
7,500 mangrove seedlings, with 5,000 mangrove trees planted in four of our properties in ten countries are in or adjacent
10 ha of degraded mangrove forest. This was supported by survival to areas of protected status or high biodiversity*. Our Stay
monitoring and awareness sessions on the damaging nature of plastic for Good programme invites guests to connect and engage
waste, and importance of protecting the mangrove ecosystem. actively and passively with natural heritage to increase
awareness, promote engagement and responsible travel.
* banyantreeglobalfoundation.com/biodiversity-environment
Biggest item reductions (Numbers)
Citizen Science
Straws 2,421,690
1,851
Participants Shark sightings
2,670 448
900
2,946
3,053
2,670
2,869
2,473
2,715
314
448
Water Bottles 1,765,979 Biggest item reductions (Percent)
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Cotton Buds 950,863
Garbage Bags 872,499
Minibar Items 553,953
Disposable 99.2
plates
Butter/Jams 505,120
Stir sticks 98.6
Better the devil you know: Addressing
Shopping Bags 399,448
GREATER GOOD GRANT
Straws 98.0
Shower Caps 254,359
Stir Sticks 234,902
Garment covers 95.6 key data gaps for effective management
Mints 86.6 of devil rays in the Indian Ocean
Coffee 199,799 Minibar items 86.4
Location: Indonesia Recipient: Newcastle University, UK
Capsules
Butter/Jams 77.2
Cotton buds 73.8 Species-specific data is needed to inform effective conservation and
sustainable fisheries management of endangered devil rays in Indonesia.
Shopping Bag 71.8
Training was given to Palabuhanratu Harbour Port Authority and students
Canape 67.9 from Universitas Padjadjaran, who sampled 47 Giant Devil Rays and 61
containers Bentfin Devil Rays caught in small-scale fisheries in West Java, eastern
Indian Ocean. Vertebrae samples were aged, and tissue samples underwent
genetic analysis to determine population structure in the Indian Ocean.
This information furthers our understanding of population boundaries
of these highly mobile species, a necessary step for management.24 25
Science-Based Conservation
Endangered Species Conservation
Meaningful engagement with experts through cross-sector
collaboration supports our goals to protect, manage and Turtle conservation programmes at six properties generate
restore biodiversity. A strategic and science-based approach awareness among travellers, local communities and fishermen
to conservation partners with stakeholders possessing domain through nest protection and release of 419 hatchlings in
expertise to engage and educate travellers, communities and 2021 in partnership with local organisations and research
our associates. Our adaptive conservation framework addresses centres in Indonesia, the Maldives, Mexico and Vietnam.
key global issues, critical habitats and priority species†.
Annual monitoring of shark populations in the Maldives was
Dedicated conservation centres in the Maldives and put on hold during the pandemic. Following a call to reopen
Indonesia support education, restoration and research the shark fishery in the Maldives, the Ocean Geographic
programmes. We actively seek and support partnerships Society organised an online expert panel discussion that our
to address local conservation needs and generate data for team joined alongside marine biologist Dr Sylvia Earle to
local and regional management. In 2021, the inaugural support continuation of shark protection in the Maldives. Our
recipients of our Greater Good Grants implemented data were shared with the Ministry of Environment, to inform
projects to conserve threatened ecosystems and species. their decision to continue protection for sharks in the Maldives.
†
banyantreeglobalfoundation.com/conservation
Turtle Conservation Awareness and education serve as the cornerstone for
10,426
conservation. We promoted awareness and engagement among
our associates through Earth Day and World Environment
Participants
5,357
1,080
Turtle Released Day campaigns, with 2,900 associates making 8,437 pledges
284 to change behaviour to conserve the environment and tackle
2,473
419
477
1,129
419
climate change by car-pooling, recycling waste or eating
198
518
284
plant-based meals in 2021. Our team in Penang, Malaysia
also celebrated World Pangolin Day by partnering with
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
1StopBorneo Wildlife to host an educational webinar.
Collective partnership and action is required to deliver
on conservation goals, and our “Greater Good Grants”
issued by the Banyan Tree Global Foundation supported
conservation projects that promoted community
stewardship and conservation of threatened species
in India, Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam. Our
partnership with the China Environmental Protection
Foundation constructed clownfish breeding facilities at
the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology to support
population recovery through large-scale breeding.
Environmental Monitoring
Long-term monitoring detects environmental change
and informs conservation efforts. Annual reef monitoring
using established and scientifically rigorous protocols
Conservation of muntjac in
GREATER GOOD GRANT
was conducted for the ninth consecutive year in Bintan,
and extended from three to six sites. In the Maldives,
Bach Ma National Park annual reef monitoring was not feasible for the seventh
consecutive year due to challenges getting a team in place
during the ongoing pandemic, but will resume in 2022.
Location: Vietnam Recipient: Global Wildlife Conservation
Surveys are supported by data from citizen scientist sightings,
Bach Ma National Park is home to two endemic threatened species of to detect long-term variation in the presence and abundance
muntjac deer. Information on their populations is sparse but urgently of easily recognised charismatic megafauna such as birds,
needed to create effective conservation strategies. Populations were sharks or turtles. Any associate or guest, with minimal training
assessed using non-invasive scientifically robust systematic surveys from and guidance, can contribute observations as a citizen
40 camera-trap stations on the Bach Ma summit. Artificial mineral licks scientist in the Maldives and in Bintan, and we expanded
were used at half the stations to assess effectiveness at increasing muntjac this initiative to Phuket in 2022. Participation in our specially
detection rates. Preliminary data indicate a potentially sizeable population curated programmes allows travellers to connect with local
in the area, with detections at 15 sites, and data are being analysed to nature, learn about the animals they see, and contribute
identify patterns in distributions needed for future management. their sightings data to support conservation action.You can also read
