All five Sun Siyam Resorts in Maldives achieve Green Globe certification
Sun Siyam has reached a major milestone in its sustainability journey, with all five of its resorts in the Maldives achieving Green Globe Certification.
The certification spans Siyam World, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Sun Siyam Olhuveli, Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, recognising the group-wide efforts being made to embed more responsible practices into everyday resort operations, from renewable energy and waste reduction to marine conservation, community engagement and the preservation of Maldivian culture.
More than a sustainability label, Green Globe is one of the travel and tourism industry’s established international certification programmes. Its standard for hotels and resorts assesses businesses against 44 core criteria supported by more than 400 compliance indicators across four key areas: sustainable management, social and economic responsibility, cultural heritage and environmental protection. Certification is independently audited and renewed annually, requiring properties to demonstrate continued progress.
For Sun Siyam, achieving certification across its entire Maldives portfolio represents an important step in a much longer journey. Through Sun Siyam Cares, the group’s sustainability programme, environmental and social responsibility is increasingly integrated into both resort operations and the guest experience. The programme focuses on reducing energy, water, plastic and food waste; protecting biodiversity; supporting local communities; creating opportunities for Maldivians; empowering women; and preserving the culture and heritage at the heart of the brand. Across the resorts, those commitments are taking increasingly tangible forms.
At Siyam World, the Maldives’ first resort-based Plastic Upcycling Centre of its scale is turning discarded plastic into useful new products. Developed in collaboration with CLEAN Maldives, the facility transforms materials including used containers and plastic drums into items such as outdoor furniture and planters, creating a circular solution to waste that would otherwise need to leave the island.
Beneath the surface, marine conservation has become another important part of Sun Siyam Cares. Dedicated marine biologists across the resorts lead coral restoration and reef conservation projects, with guests invited to take an active role through coral planting and adoption initiatives. Most recently, Siyam World launched Wreck to Reef, an ambitious long-term conservation project centred around a 66.36-metre former Maldivian tuna freighter, now resting beneath the waters of Noonu Atoll. Through natural coral growth and dedicated restoration, the wreck is being transformed into a living reef, creating new habitats for marine life while giving guests the opportunity to plant coral fragments directly onto the structure and become part of its evolution.
On land, Sun Siyam is equally focused on reducing its footprint through renewable energy. One of the group’s most significant investments to date is the rollout of large-scale hybrid solar systems at Siyam World and Sun Siyam Olhuveli, combining solar generation with battery storage and real-time energy monitoring. Together, the installations have a combined capacity of 4,110 kWh and are expected to generate more than six million kWh of clean energy annually, reducing CO₂ emissions by more than 4,458 tonnes each year while significantly cutting reliance on diesel-generated power.
Waste reduction is being tackled from several directions. In-house water bottling, the elimination of single-use plastics, waste segregation and composting are complemented by the group’s PLEDGE zero food prevention programme, designed to reduce food loss and improve resource efficiency throughout resort operations.
The commitment also extends beyond the resorts themselves. As a 100% Maldivian-owned hospitality company, Sun Siyam continues to invest in local employment, apprenticeships and training opportunities for young Maldivians, while working with island communities and women’s development committees to create sustainable sources of income and strengthen local supply chains.
Preserving the culture behind the destination remains equally important. Through Sun Siyam Cares and the group’s wider Home of Maldivian Spirit philosophy, guests are encouraged to discover the Maldives beyond its beaches through local island visits, storytelling, traditional performances, celebrations and experiences that keep Maldivian heritage part of the modern resort experience.
“Achieving Green Globe Certification across all five of our Maldives resorts is something we are incredibly proud of, but for us this is not the finish line. Sustainability has to be part of how we operate every day, from the energy we use and the waste we produce to how we protect our reefs, support our communities and create opportunities for the next generation of Maldivians. This recognition belongs to our teams across the islands, whose commitment has made this milestone possible,” said Chaminda Upul Kumara, Group Sustainability Manager at Sun Siyam.
Behind the certification is a collective effort involving resort teams, Sustainability Champions, marine biologists, engineering and operations teams, management and colleagues across the group, all working towards shared sustainability objectives.
Guests can also become part of that journey. Through Sun Siyam Cares, a voluntary US$10 contribution per villa, per stay can directly support sustainability projects and activities across the portfolio, alongside opportunities to participate in initiatives including coral restoration, tree planting and conservation experiences during their stay.
Green Globe Certification across all five Maldives resorts marks an important chapter for Sun Siyam, while setting the direction for what comes next: measurable progress, greater transparency and a long-term commitment to protecting the natural environment and communities that have shaped the company since its beginnings in the Maldives.
