EXO Foundation’s Sustainability Awards were held in September 2023. In this blog, we introduce the honorees for the Climate Action category.
With its diverse ecosystems and a significant portion of the world’s population, Asia is critically positioned in the climate action narrative. The continent, and its inhabitants, face direct impacts of climate change and impactful, sustainable action is urgently needed.
Tourism in Asia, while a significant economic driver, also contributes to environmental challenges. In addition to carbon emissions generated by travel, tourists create increased waste and a strain on local resources.
Balancing tourism growth and environmental sustainability is essential for the long-term health of Asia’s nature and local communities.
Thankfully, there are a growing number of organisations working to reduce the tourism industry’s impact on climate change. The 2023 EXO Foundation Sustainability Awards supported and promoted such projects that seek to innovate sustainability in Asia and we are proud to announce the following awards given for the ‘Climate Action’ category.
Sustainability Awards for Climate Action: Honouring organisations working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Winner (Not for Profit): EHT Paul Dubrule School
EHT Paul Dubrule School (Cambodia) is a vocational hospitality and tourism training school. With the foundation of its EcoCampus, the school aims to be the first vocational school in the world to be honoured with the Eco School – Green Flag certification.
The EcoCampus contributes to the school’s sustainable development goals through various positive actions initiated by EHT students. The prize money from EXO Foundation’s Sustainability Awards will contribute to the ongoing development of activities of the EcoCampus.
Winner (Tourism private): The Racha Hotel
Located on the beaches of Phuket, The Racha is a leader in sustainable design in Thailand.
The award-winning property was built in harmony with the natural environment and aims to create a sustainable ‘home’ for its guests.
The Racha’s forward-thinking initiatives include harnessing solar energy, systems to reuse laundry wastewater and even collecting condensation to be used as foot baths for guests. They also cooperate with the local community for impactful, positive excursions and day tours.
Runner-up (Not for Profit): Kalaweit
Founded in 1998, Kalaweit works to protect wildlife and forests on the Indonesian islands of Borneo and Sumatra. They actively rescue animals from illegal wildlife trafficking and have purchased more than 2000 hectares of forest to save from deforestation. Kalaweit hopes to purchase more forest to protect and will use the prize money from EXO Foundation to contribute to this goal.
Runner-up (Tourism Private Sector): Citadines
Citadines Flatiron Hotel in Cambodia has worked to reduce its environmental impact by eliminating single-use plastics, sourcing all of its guest supplies (such as towels and laundry bags) from sustainable sources and working closely with their supply chain to improve their sustainability performance.
About the EXO Foundation Sustainability Awards:
The 2023 ceremony was held on 28 September and hosted by Alexandra Michat, EXO’s Chief Purpose Officer.
The goal of the awards was to identify, support and promote exemplary projects that seek to innovate sustainability in Asia. More than 20 nominees, from the non-profit sector and private tourism companies, were on the ballot competing for prizes totaling over $40,000 USD in value.
A panel of internationally recognised sustainable tourism professionals was enlisted to evaluate each nominee and vote according to its merits. The judges then announced the winners across five categories and a six ‘People’s Choice Award’ was granted based on a month-long public vote. EXO Foundation was joined by two co-sponsors in arranging and supporting this event: LightBlue Consulting and Considerate Group.
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