Centara Grand and Centara Ras Fushi sign green energy treaty during underwater ceremony

[vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=”” bg_type=”” parallax_style=”” bg_image_new=”” layer_image=”” bg_image_repeat=”” bg_image_size=”” bg_cstm_size=”” bg_img_attach=”” parallax_sense=”” bg_image_posiiton=”” animation_direction=”” animation_repeat=”” video_url=”” video_url_2=”” u_video_url=”” video_opts=”” video_poster=”” u_start_time=”” u_stop_time=”” viewport_vdo=”” enable_controls=”” bg_override=”” disable_on_mobile_img_parallax=”” parallax_content=”” parallax_content_sense=”” fadeout_row=”” fadeout_start_effect=”” enable_overlay=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_pattern=”” overlay_pattern_opacity=”” overlay_pattern_size=”” overlay_pattern_attachment=”” multi_color_overlay=”” multi_color_overlay_opacity=”” seperator_enable=”” seperator_type=”” seperator_position=”” seperator_shape_size=”” seperator_svg_height=”” seperator_shape_background=”” seperator_shape_border=”” seperator_shape_border_color=”” seperator_shape_border_width=”” icon_type=”” icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_color=”” icon_style=”” icon_color_bg=”” icon_border_style=”” icon_color_border=”” icon_border_size=”” icon_border_radius=”” icon_border_spacing=”” icon_img=”” img_width=”” ult_hide_row=”” ult_hide_row_large_screen=”” ult_hide_row_desktop=”” ult_hide_row_tablet=”” ult_hide_row_tablet_small=”” ult_hide_row_mobile=”” ult_hide_row_mobile_large=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa hosted an impressive underwater ceremony on Wednesday September 16th, to mark the signing of a new resolution to reduce carbon emissions by implementing green energy across both Centara properties in the Maldives.

The ‘Here for Ozone’ treaty was signed on the occasion of International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone layer and the 30^th anniversary of the Vienna Convention. The treaty symbolizes the resorts’ commitment to reduce energy consumption levels, whilst equally changing to green sources for the remaining energy consumption. The resorts have set a time frame of 5-6 years for the changeover.

The event, which was organized by the resort’s Team Members Recreation Board and headed by Assistant IT Manager Ibrahim Shareef, took place at a reef a mere 20-minute boat ride from Centara Grand at 3pm. The resort’s dive operator, Best Dives Maldives, sponsored the event, providing equipment, training, logistical management and support.

A team of ten supervisory and management-level associates – five from Centara Grand and five from Centara Ras Fushi – donned scuba gear to descend to a depth of 8 metres. Many of the representatives, who were led by Centara Grand’s Resident Manager Sergio Areas, had been trained especially for the event, and were accompanied by Best Dives Maldives instructors.

Once at 8 metres, the team then sat at a conference table to sign the resolution. This is the deepest underwater gathering of this kind to ever take place in the Maldives.

The event’s chief guest, Deputy Minister Mr Abdulla Mohamed Didi from the Ministry of the Environment inaugurated the ceremony with a speech aboard the boat, saying: “Today, Centara Grand and Centara Ras Fushi are taking protection of the ozone layer to the next level by focussing on carbon emissions and reducing their use of ozone-depleting substances as well.” He continued saying, “At the Ministry of Environment, we feel that this is a great opportunity and we hope other partners will follow the good practices that are being displayed by Centara.”

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Resident Manager, Sergio Areas commented: “What we are doing here today is something symbolic, but we mean to take strong action.”

“Today is regarding the ozone layer. However, the message is about the environment on all levels,” he added.

Upon returning to the resort, event manager Ibrahim Shareef commented that “This is just the birthdate of the initiative. The next step for us is for us to implement practical steps to reduce consumption. This will include replacing older, less efficient appliances such as fridges and air-conditioning units, with more modern, energy efficient models. This is something we’ve already carried out in our fitness centre, as a pilot scheme.”

This year, Centara Grand was awarded Silver status from EarthCheck, the tourism industry’s leading environmental management, benchmarking and certification company.

As well as this, both Centara properties conduct an extensive ‘Centara EarthCare’ programme, which includes educating guests about reef conservation and snorkeling best practices.

Best Dives Maldives are also well known for their commitment to environmental conservation. The centre is a member of Green Fins, an organization that promotes a strict, eco-friendly code of conduct. Best Dives Maldives at Centara Grand is currently rated number 5 on Green Fins’ list of top members worldwide.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]