Sustainable Business Magazine Issue 2/20

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SUSTAINABLE ISSUE 02.20 06/19

B U S I N E S S

M A G A Z I N E

BC HYDRO SOLAR BUZZ JAMAICA

UNC ASHEVILLE

DINING SERVICES

WATERPOWER

CANADA SUTHERLAND ENGINEERS

SEYCHELLES TRAVEL GUIDE ALSO FEATURED THIS ISSUE AASHE • SATT • PLUS MUCH MORE

S U S TA I N I N G T O M O R R O W. T O D AY

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M A G A Z I N E

SBM Media Ltd - Henderson Business Centre, 51 Ivy Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR5 8BF, United Kingdom • T: +44 (0)1603 516519 Email: info@sustainablebusinessmagazine.net www.sustainablebusinessmagazine.net

Editor:

George Newell

Senior Writers:

Marcus Bonnano

Liam Pritchett

Contributing Writer: Helen Youngman

Sustainable Business Magazine is committed to promoting sustainable printing.

This magazine is printed on Forest Stewardship Council certified material and manufactured using environmentally sustainable procedures.

All lithographic printer inks used are vegetable-based.

Office Manager:

Helen Stoneley

Sales Manager:

Jake Curtis

Editorial Researcher: Shaun Peacock Web Administrator: Ashley Hewitt

CONTENTS ISSUE 02/20 Welcome to the latest edition of Sustainable Business Magazine.

Since the last issue of SBM went to print – in February this year, seemingly a lifetime ago – the world has been upturned before our eyes. The ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic has, in the space of a few months, brought economies and societies to a standstill. Countries around the world have implemented wide-scale lockdowns in an attempt to contain the virus and prevent health services from being overwhelmed, restricting movement on a scale never before seen. Concurrently, a huge movement under the Black Lives Matter banner has erupted in protest at systemic racism and police brutality in the United States and internationally.

For most of us, we have never before lived through through a global crisis of this scale and scope. This virus has exposed weaknesses in the ways we have organized our societies, from our highly globalized system of food and medicine production and distribution, to faults in our healthcare and social welfare systems. Businesses of all sizes in almost every sector are under enormous strain, and millions of people globally are out of work, some for the first time in their lives.

The series of lockdowns and travel restrictions has also had profound repercussions for the climate. 2020 is expected to see by far the biggest drop ever in year-on-year anthropogenic climate emissions. As manufacturers and businesses have furloughed their employees, as workers have stayed at home rather than commuting, and as holidaymakers have seen their flights cancelled, the International Energy Agency estimates global emissions will fall by 8% in 2020, or almost 2.6 gigatons, returning to the emissions levels of a decade ago. What seemed an impossible task – to halt the ever-increasing requirement to expel carbon into the atmosphere – has been achieved almost overnight.

We, as businesspeople, as consumers, and as generators of carbon, must not stop here.

We have seen over the last few months that rapid, large-scale changes to deal with an existential threat are possible. Once this virus has been tamed, however long it takes, we cannot return to business as usual. We must use this time as an opportunity to reorder the ways we live and do business – whether this is by embracing remote working and teleconferencing, by investing in local food production rather than depending on a global supply chain, or by transitioning rapidly away from high-emitting methods of energy production, transportation, and manufacturing. There are going to be opportunities for forward-thinking businesses and entrepreneurs to spearhead a move towards a new, resilient, sustainable economy.

Of course, there are plenty of companies and organizations around today who have been working for years to build this sustainable economy. In this issue of SBM, we feature some of the businesses and institutions who are sustainability innovators, from a major hydroelectricity producer in Western Canada, to a vision of tourism in the Seychelles which enhances rather than overruns the natural environment, to locally-sourced campus dining in North Carolina.

We hope some of these ideas will provide inspiration at this challenging time.

The Sustainable Business Magazine Team

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Report: Sustainable Travel in the Age of COVID

06 Foreword: WaterPower Canada 08 Interview: BC Hydro 18 Foreword: The Association for the

Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)

20 Interview: The University of

North Carolina Asheville Dining Services

24 Conference Review: Creative

Economy Taiwan

28 Interview:

Sutherland Engineers

32 Travel Guide: Seychelles 44 Interview: Solar Buzz Jamaica 48 Interview: Supermarket

Association of Trinidad and Tobago

ISSUE 02/20 FRONT COVER THIS IMAGE IS COURTESY OF BC HYDRO

© SBM Media Ltd 2019. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form for any purpose, other than short sections for the purpose of review, without prior consent of the publisher.

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REPORT: SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL IN THE AGE OF COVID

SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL IN THE AGE OF COVID:

A REFLECTION

BY HELEN YOUNGMAN These are strange days for us all. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments around the world have imposed the largest restriction of movement in living history, with many countries in full or partial lockdowns which have already lasted months.

The resulting travel bans have radically affected both the tourism and aviation industries.

The bans came at a time of peak travel. This time in 2019, flights had reached a record number, with over 225,000 flights crossing the world’s flight paths in one single day.

With flights grounded, many airlines have had to make drastic redundancies, with some even ceasing to trade at all. Much of the public attention has been focused on the aviation industry. However, the tourism indus-

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try in destination localities has been equally affected. As we ask ourselves how the travel industry can recover, adapt, and grow, we have an opportunity to address one of the fundamental issues of our time: How to live and therefore travel - more sustainably.

Tourism may have experienced the biggest recession in living memory, but it now has an opportunity to reinvent itself. The industry can build leaner, greener business models that respond to an existing change of perception in the client – a change that was occurring in the industry well before the lockdown. People want meaningful exchanges and experiences in places of beauty in an increasingly responsible and sustainable way. What were once seen as a fringe set of priorities for eco tourists have become increasingly popular.

The demand for connecting to nature, valuing the natural environment, or even wanting one’s toiletries in a hotel bathroom to be all natural are part of a change in taste, which gives the tourism industry a vital opportunity to push the envelope toward more sustainable travel.

The constraints of national lockdowns people isolated in their homes, often with no green space or freedom to exercise or roam - has deepened our appreciation of nature on a mass cultural level. The connection between well-being and freedom of movement has perhaps never been so tangible to everyone all at the same time.

For those with the time, money, and inclination, travel will be an important part of the psychological healing process.

The pandemic may be the focus of the world’s attention, but it arrived in the midst of an ongoing global climate crisis. In response to this crisis, prior to lockdown, a group of travel companies, organisations, and individuals formed the Tourism Declares collective, which declared a climate emergency and pledged to take action.

This pledge echoes a changing perception of travel and its effect on our planet.

Above all, aviation coming to a complete standstill and pollution levels plummeting has been a dramatic indicator of the unsustainable nature of peak air travel. People are now more than ever evaluating their own flying habits.

Staycations are already proving a popular choice for various markets in North America and Western Europe, as people have discovered the beauty of their own backyards. Cycling and walking have also brought new perspectives, with people revisiting local areas and seeing them anew.

THIS APPRECIATION OF THE LOCAL HAS INCREASED AN INTEREST IN MORE MEANINGFUL WAYS TO TRAVEL CLOSER TO HOME. Many tour companies, such as Intrepid Travel in the United Kingdom, have accordingly adapted their trip programmes, launching retreats which focus on travel experiences that support local communities and businesses.

In the way that the slow food movement has had a real effect on consumer spending on organic and ethical food produce, could we be seeing a shift towards more sustainable travel spearheaded by forward-thinking travel companies? Just as the slow food movement prioritises local, ethically-grown produce and a minimization of transportation, the concept of slower, immersive travel prioritizes local communities and livelihoods, protection of ecosystems, and natural habitats.

There is some nuance and contradiction in the effects of less human activity during the pandemic lockdown. The reduction in pollution has had a positive impact on wildlife and the natural environment. Adversely,

the drop in ecotourism has also meant that financial support for conservation has drastically plummeted with many parks being forced to close. Tragically, poaching of protected species has also increased.

Where environments, ports, rivers, and villages have benefited from this total pause in movement, years of negative impact of mass-tourism have been clearly revealed. Delicate ecosystems have begun to recover in a short space of time. This has forced a re-think of the concept of the ‘bucket-list’, where tour operators encouraged travellers to visit the most iconic sites on earth which has created over-populated and over-polluted ‘dream’ destinations, radically altered by their popularity. One infamous example is Maya Bay in Thailand, which was made famous by the film The Beach. This paradisiacal location has become so overvisted by tourists that the Thai authorities decided to close it for a number of years so nature can recover.

As borders open and global travel resumes, travel companies, hotels, and airlines are having to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines. This means in simple terms a drastic reduction in the number of hotel beds and restaurant bookings at any given time due to social distancing measures. Providers of coach and overland travel are struggling to resume because of border crossing protocols and reduced passenger numbers. These factors indicate the pressing need for travel companies to adapt to survive.

At the moment it is uncertain how we will adapt to this crisis. However, we can positively identify the possibilities of where travel is going based on traveller demand and mindset. There is recent growth in wellness and holistic travel, cycling and walking tours, off-the-beaten-track trips, and sustainable and responsible travel in general. This has come about by not only desire but necessity. From this growth, new cultures of travel will emerge. c

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FOREWORD: WATERPOWER CANADA

WATERPOWERED WaterPower Canada (WPC) is pleased to support Sustainable Business Magazine’s ‘WaterPowered’ series, recognizing the achievements of their members as they develop, innovate, and advance waterpower in Canada.

WaterPower Canada is the national, not-for-profit trade association dedicated to representing the Canadian waterpower industry. We promote the advantages of waterpower and its responsible development in order to meet Canada’s electricity needs sustainably. In order to achieve this goal, WaterPower Canada represents the industry on a national scale in front of a variety of stakeholders, gathers industry data, and leads national research efforts to further the important and irreplaceable role that waterpower plays in Canada. With members from coast-to-coast, WaterPower Canada’s membership not only spans the country but also spans the breadth of the sector. This includes hydropower producers, manufacturers, developers, engineering firms, and other organizations.

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“As the unified voice for the waterpower industry in Canada, our team works tirelessly to ensure that Canadians know about the tremendous benefits associated with waterpower, and that it is our natural asset in the fight against climate change,” says Anne-Raphaëlle Audouin, President & CEO of WaterPower Canada.

What you may not know about Canada is that the rain, snow, and ice that replenishes flowing rivers and streams provides Canadians with more renewable water flow per capita than any other country in the world. This abundance of water has led to an energy mix in which waterpower provides more than 60% of the country’s electricity. This positions Canada as the second largest waterpower generator globally, and ensures its electricity grid is one of the cleanest in the world.

ANNE-RAPHAËLLE AUDOUIN, PRESIDENT & CEO OF WATERPOWER CANADA

But these achievements didn’t happen overnight. They come from a 100+ year history of generating clean electricity from Canada’s most abundant renewable energy resource – flowing water. Canada, already a leader in hydropower generation, has the potential to more than double its current capacity to help meet growing energy demands while supporting clean energy objectives. “I don’t think many people realize that there is still so much untapped waterpower potential in Canada,” says Audouin. “For example, if

only half of Canada’s total undeveloped potential was built and dedicated to powering plug-in electric vehicles, Canada could power its entire current light-duty vehicle fleet, PLUS a full quarter of the current U.S. fleet with clean, renewable, reliable, and affordable hydropower.”

When you think about how much Canada’s waterpower industry has been able to accomplish over the last 100 years, while also considering how much potential still remains, you can see why our country is a hub for global expertise in the hydropower

industry. From the first hydroelectric site in Canada commissioned in 1891, to the more than 500 existing sites that provide the country with clean, renewable waterpower today, Canada truly is a global leader in clean electricity generation.

To learn more about WaterPower Canada and our work, visit https://waterpowercanada.ca/ and join the largest gathering of the Canadian waterpower industry online October 5-9, 2020 by registering at https://conference.waterpowercanada.ca/

“CANADA IS THE SECOND LARGEST WATERPOWER GENERATOR GLOBALLY, AND THIS ENSURES ITS ELECTRICITY GRID IS ONE OF THE CLEANEST IN THE WORLD.”

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INTERVIEW: BC HYDRO

SMART POWER

FOR BRITISH COLUMBIA Sustainable Business Magazine speaks to Maureen Daschuk, Senior VicePresident of Integrated Planning at BC Hydro, about the electrification of industry, climate resiliency, and working with First Nations communities.

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INTERVIEW: BC HYDRO production. Where other utilities are thinking about how they can move off of coal or oil and onto clean sources, we’re already in an enviable position.”

The BC Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) is a Canadian electric utility, serving over 4 million customers in the province of British Columbia. Formed in 1961 when the provincial government merged the BC Electric Company with the BC Power Commission, BC Hydro today serves 95% of the population of British Columbia, handling the generation, transmission, and distribution of energy. Nearly 98% of the electricity BC Hydro’s generates is from clean, renewable sources.

“We’re very fortunate compared to other utilities,” explains Maureen Daschuk, Senior Vice-President of Integrated Planning at BC Hydro. “British Columba is a beautiful place, well-endowed with the natural beauty of the rivers and mountains. This also creates amazing opportunities for hydroelectric energy

RESIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL

LOW-CARBON LNG On a global level, energy production is the single largest source of carbon dioxide emissions. For most countries and municipalities around the world, the lowest-hanging fruit for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is to replace fossil fuel-based energy generation with renewable energy production in one form or another. But what’s the next step when a utility is already generating almost all its energy from renewable sources?

For BC Hydro, the next step is to support the electrification of other sectors. BC Hydro has three key target areas for electrification: Industrial processes, transportation, and heating. “The single most exciting opportunity in our view is the electrification of industrial processes,” says Ms. Daschuk. “In the northeast of British Columbia, there is a lot of natural gas production taking place. We believe there is a great partnership available between electricity and natural gas, where we can help produce the lowest-carbon-intensity natural gas in the world. If we can

help other countries who are using other high-carbon-intensity fuels and get them to switch to a LNG product that is produced with our low-emissions electricity then we think we can have a real benefit, not only in British Columbia but globally.”

Currently, BC Hydro is working on the Peace Region Electricity Supply (PRES) project, a transmission project which will bring energy from a newly-built hydroelectric dam, the Site C Dam, to local natural gas companies. “We are working with a number of the natural gas companies to use electricity from Site C to run their operations instead of burning their own product,” says Ms. Daschuk.

“If they use electricity, they can produce a lower-carbon-intensity final product. LNG Canada has made a decision to invest in an LNG processing plant in the Kitimat area on the West Coast of British Columbia. That is going to be producing very low-carbon-intensive LNG that will be used for the export market in places like China. The PRES project is expected to reduce 2.6 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year from our customers, who will be using electricity instead of fossil fuels. So it’s a very exciting opportunity for us, and it’s very exciting for British Columbia.”

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RUSKIN DAM

“IF WE CAN HELP OTHER COUNTRIES WHO ARE USING OTHER HIGH-CARBON-INTENSITY FUELS AND GET THEM TO SWITCH TO A LNG PRODUCT THAT IS PRODUCED WITH OUR LOW-EMISSIONS ELECTRICITY THEN WE THINK WE CAN HAVE A REAL BENEFIT, NOT ONLY IN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUT GLOBALLY.”

NATURAL CHALLENGES The extraordinary natural environment of British Columbia is a boon to BC Hydro, but it brings with it challenges as well. Most of BC Hydro’s generation takes place at strategic points along the rivers, far away from most of their customer base. Furthermore, two-thirds of the land area of the province is forested. “This means, when we’re getting that power to our customers, we’re going across land that is largely mountainous and tree-covered,” says Ms. Daschuk. “We have about 86,000 kilometers of power lines going across our province – enough to circle the globe. We have three times more trees per kilometer of power line than any other

utility in North America, which necessitates a strong vegetation management program.

In 2019, half of our outages were caused by bad weather and trees. And because BC is a very large province, we’ve got a lot of distance between our customers. On average, there are 60 meters of line to get to the average customer in a rural area, or 14 meters in a populated area.”

As climate change continues to impact weather conditions, a resilient grid is all the most important for BC Hydro. “We rely on the water to produce our electricity, so if there is a drought, or if there are floods, that affects our ability to produce power,” says Ms. Daschuk. “We operate 30 gen-

erating stations across the province, and we have long transmission and distribution lines. We’re also on the coast near the ocean, so building a system which is reliable is essential. One of the things we’re doing is increasing our ability to detect when there’s an outage. We have meteorologists on staff, to help us understand the weather and how it’s going to impact us. We’re also taking a hard look at where we put our assets. We’re mapping our province to see where the fire risks and flood plains are, and implementing different materials and design standards. We have a lot of rivers in British Columbia, and where we used to put the transmission towers close to the edge of SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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INTERVIEW: BC HYDRO the river, we’re now moving them back in case they change their course in heavy weather or top their banks. Where you put an asset can be as important as what materials you use. We also invest about $50 million per year in cutting down trees around our system, creating natural fire breaks.

Put together, this will support building a resilient system that will withstand some of the challenges of climate change.”

In December 2018, the worst storm in the history of BC Hydro put the reliability of their systems to the test. “750,000 customers lost power during the storm,” says Ms. Daschuk. “We lost about 86,000 meters of our lines from wind damage to our power poles, and had to respond in a very quick and efficient manner. Within 24 hours, 73% of those customers who were without power had it returned. That’s 550,000 customers who were restored within 24 hours, and 86% within 48 hours. We’re very proud of our ability to respond quickly to any problems.”

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS BC Hydro works hard to facilitate and maintain good-quality relationships with different First Nations communities across

Delivering reliable energy for Canada.

A design-build approach helped the Northwest Transmission Line overcome environmental challenges. With valued partnerships, we powered through these barriers and provided effective solutions to expand the grid and conserve energy. Learn more at burnsmcd.com/SMB20.

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PROVIDING YOU WITH HIGHER QUALITY SERVICES

www.duzcho.com Duz Cho Construction is an earthworks construction company doing site development, road access, and reclamation for the oil and gas, wind energy, and mining industries, and other civil works construction within the traditional territory of McLeod Lake Indian Band.

Duz Cho Construction is a civil earthworks construction company specializing in site development, road access and reclamation for the oil and gas, wind energy, mining industries and other civil works construction

within the traditional territory of the McLeod Lake Indian Band.

Duz Cho Construction’s success has been based largely in civil earthworks and mining.

We recognize that the continued growth of the

company depends on the diversification of the business. To this end Duz Cho Construction has expanded into the oil and gas, reclamation and forestry sectors, while maintaining the core civil earthworks and mining operations.

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INTERVIEW: BC HYDRO

“FOR US, IT’S NOT ENOUGH JUST TO PROVIDE CLEAN, RELIABLE ELECTRICITY TO OUR CUSTOMERS. WE HAVE TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT INCORPORATES OUR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES AND ALL OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS.”

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LEADING THE WAY! Key Largo Electric has been a BC Hydro contractor for well over 25 years, and we are in our 7th year as a Secondary Service provider. We are proud to be leaders in our industry.

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Our dedicated team of Electricians and support staff are equally motivated to support BC Hydro in their long term goals with our motto of “Safe, Reliable Service” to all our customers.

the province. The company received gold certification in the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program, a program run by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.

“There are only 17 companies in Canada that have this status, and we are the only Canadian utility to be certified gold,” says Ms. Daschuk. “It’s now the ninth year that we have been at gold level. British Columbia has more than 200 First Nations communities, and we have a very strong focus on hiring indigenous employees. Furthermore, in 2018 we awarded $123 million in contracts to indigenous businesses, and on the Site C project we have $200 million in contracts going to aboriginal businesses. We also give out scholarships and bursaries for indigenous students, and we have a Statement of Indigenous Principles. For us, it’s not enough just to provide clean, reliable electricity to our customers. We have to do it in a way that incorporates our indigenous communities and all of our stakeholders. We recently refurbished one of our very oldest dams, the Ruskin Dam, which was originally built in the 1930s. We worked very closely with the Kwantlen First Nation, who we have a strong relationship with, and they provided

us with artwork that is now on the rebuilt dam – it’s a really beautiful visual.”

Whenever any new project comes forward for BC Hydro’s approval, that project is subjected to a structured process to ensure it is environmentally and socially responsible. “The project has to identify any environmental issues and concerns, any social issues, as well as the requirements of our key stakeholders, and what kind of First Nation consultation must be done,” says Ms. Daschuk. “I sit on a gate review board, which means that the project managers have to come and present to me and other leaders

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INTERVIEW: BC HYDRO

MAUREEN DASCHUK SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT OF INTEGRATED PLANNING

and executive team members. We have a process of ensuring that appropriate inclusion of environmental and social responsibility has been met. If they can’t prove that to us, they do not get to go to the next level in the project development process.”

NEW FRONTIERS Today, BC Hydro is working on their integrated resource plan, anticipating what will be required from the electricity system in British Columbia over the next thirty years. “I’m very excited about the future of electricity and the ability of our clean power to remove carbon from the economy,” says Ms. Daschuk.

“We’re excited about fuel switching in the transportation sector. British Columbia is leading in Canada for the most electric vehicles and the highest participation per capita for purchases of electric vehicles. We are predicting 400,000 electric vehicles in British Columbia by 2030. BC Hydro is also working with the support of Metro Vancouver on the electrification of the ports and the airport.

We believe that there is more opportunity to electrify transportation than just passenger vehicles. There’s ships and planes, and we are also working with transit groups across the province to see what the opportunities are to switch buses. Industrial processes and transportation are our two primary focuses.

We’re also working with the government of British Columbia on our third element, heating, which is in an earlier stage. But we are looking at how we can incorporate heat pumps to try and encourage more people to switch from fossil fuel heating to electricity.

We’re trying to promote clean growth. A lot of jurisdictions want economic growth and economic development, but in British Columbia, it’s important that economic growth is also clean and sustainable.” c 16 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

M A X E

“WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT FUEL SWITCHING IN THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR. BRITISH COLUMBIA IS LEADING IN CANADA FOR THE MOST ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND THE HIGHEST PARTICIPATION PER CAPITA FOR PURCHASES OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES. WE ARE PREDICTING 400,000 ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN BRITISH COLUMBIA BY 2030.”

E L P M

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FOREWORD: AASHE SUSTAINABLE CAMPUSES

SUSTAINABLE

CAMPUSES A foreword by Meghan Fay Zahniser, AASHE Executive Director

MEGHAN FAY ZAHNISER, AASHE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) is proud to support the “Sustainable Campuses” series that recognizes achievements of the higher education sector and their ef18 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

forts toward developing a thriving, equitable and ecologically healthy world.

AASHE empowers higher education administrators, faculty, staff and students to be effective change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation. We enable members to translate information into action by offering essential resources and professional development opportunities to a diverse, engaged community of sustainability leaders. We work with and for higher education to ensure that our world’s future leaders are motivated and equipped to solve sustainability challenges.

We support the higher education community through the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), modeling Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, the AASHE Conference & Expo and more.

STARS STARS was introduced as a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. This program incentivizes institutions to deepen their efforts and provides an open platform for information sharing.

STARS has become the global standard for sustainability in higher education and has more than 320 rated institutions from nearly 1,000 participants.

STARS is being used by institutions in 38 countries, and we are happy to share a few recent STARS firsts including: • The University College Cork becoming the first institution in Ireland to earn a STARS rating and the first institution outside the U.S. and Canada to achieve STARS Gold rating.

• Thompson Rivers University becoming the first institution in Canada and the first Master’s institution to achieve a STARS Platinum rating.

• American University of Sharjah becoming the first institution in the Middle East to achieve a STARS rating.

We are also excited to share that in 2019, we will release STARS version 2.2 which will align with the Sustainable Development Goals. This will enable institution’s to not only celebrate their successes and identify areas for improvement within their institution, but also to better understand how their efforts on campus are contributing to the global goals. In time this will enable us to demonstrate the important role that higher education plays in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION We recently shared our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) statement. Though the statement is new, we have been working to advance DEI for several years both within our organization as well as the larger movement.

Now, more than ever before, there’s a sense of urgency to not only publicly proclaim our commitment, but to reaffirm our resolve to advancing DEI as core values.

We have always defined sustainability as an inclusive way, encompassing human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods and a better world for all generations. Releasing this statement not only demonstrates the importance of DEI, but it also reaffirms our view in sustainability being all-encompassing.

2019 AASHE CONFERENCE & EXPO Expected to draw approximately 2,000 participants, AASHE’s annual conference is the largest stage in North America to exchange effective models, policies, research, co-

laborations, and transformative actions that advance sustainability in higher education and beyond.

With a theme of Co-Creating a Sustainable Economy, AASHE 2019 is tackling the root cause for the continued rise in carbon emissions: our dysfunctional economic system. The conference seeks to showcase and strengthen higher education’s contributions to the movement for a sustainable economy, which we see as inclusive of the exciting work happening under a variety of other names such as the solidarity economy, wellbeing economy, circular economy, postgrowth economy, regenerative economy and restorative economy.

This year’s conference takes place Oct. 27-30 in Spokane, Washington, USA. Attendees can expect thought-provoking keynote speakers, hundreds of sessions to engage all higher education sustainability interests, and an expo hall with innovative products and services sure to inspire.

THANK YOU We are grateful to represent and support a community that is focused on leading the global sustainability transformation through STARS, DEI, our annual conference, and more. It is critical that all sectors of society play a vital role in advancing global sustainability. Higher education, along with businesses, governments, and civil society organizations around the globe, have significant impacts on human and ecological health.

While we believe that higher education can be the foundation for creating a thriving, equitable, and ecologically healthy world, we embrace and thank the supporters from all sectors who contribute to making a better world for all generations.

The “Sustainable Campuses” series provides us the opportunity to better recognize and understand what strategies and programs work well at institutions throughout the world. Higher education, in many ways, is already leading in various aspects of sustainability innovation and other sectors can learn a lot from the successes of colleges and universities. Through partnership and collaboration across sectors, my hope is that we will continue to learn, innovate and work to achieve the sustainable world we want and need.

Thank you,

Meghan Fay Zahniser AASHE Executive Director SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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REPORT: UNC ASHEVILLE DINING SERVICES

SERVING UP SUSTAINABILITY UNC Asheville Dining

NOURISH THE COMMUNITY

Sustainable Business Magazine speaks to Meghan Ibach, Sustainability Coordinator at UNC Asheville Dining Services, about sustainable campus dining, working with the local community, and sharing best practices.

‘Foodtopia’ is what residents and restaurateurs have christened the culinary scene in Asheville, North Carolina. This small city of under 90,000 people nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains has long been a tourist attraction for its arts, its architecture, and its hiking – but Asheville has also been recognized for several years for a com-

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mitment to locally-produced, sustainable food. So it’s natural that the local university, the University of North Carolina Asheville (UNC Asheville), would also go above and beyond when it comes to food.

It starts with fairness. “We received our Fair Trade certification in 2017,” explains Meghan Ibach, Sustainability Coordinator

at UNC Asheville Dining Services. “We were the first campus in North Carolina to receive that mark. In practice, that means we have a strong committee of students, faculty, and staff that meet every semester, throughout the semester. We also average four or five education events about Fair Trade per semester.”

Several targeted programs exist on-campus, like the ‘blended burger’.

“It’s a way for people to eat meat and also reduce their carbon footprint at the same time,” explains Ms. Ibach. “It’s local, humanely-raised beef blended with locally sourced mushrooms in a two-thirds ratio.”

UNC Asheville also has a hydroponic wall where they grow all their own mint and

basil, a highly-rated meat-free restaurant, a compost program, and an aggressive waste reduction policy which has drastically reduced food waste since it began several years ago.

Then there’s local partnerships. UNC Asheville Dining Services work with Food Connection, a community resource in Asheville which collects surplus food from the university, local restaurants and institutions and distributes it to those in need. “Food Connection is an amazing resource in our community,” says Ms. Ibach. “It’s all food that we are no longer able to use in our own programs because our company has a three-day window for liability reasons. But if it’s kept safe and handled properly, we SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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REPORT: UNC ASHEVILLE DINING SERVICES

actually have up to seven days to donate it. So far, we’ve served well over 50,000 meals since we’ve started. We’ve also been able to streamline the system by which we record the amount of food going to Food Connection. They are then also able to use that data when applying for grants and funding, because they can prove the value of their program.”

BEST PRACTICES UNC Asheville Dining Services is operated

by Chartwells Higher Education. Chartwells is a food service provider to almost 300 schools and college campuses across the United States, and the company has its own corporate-level sustainability commitments, including a commitment to source Fair Trade products at every location, serving healthier, slower-growing chickens, and sourcing more sustainable fish.

All of UNC Asheville Dining Services’ sustainability efforts are unified under a program called Farm-Forward Eating and Environmentally Driven Sustainability, or FEEDS.

22 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

“FEEDS includes on-campus and off-campus initiatives, sourcing, waste reduction, and everything in between,” explains Ms. Ibach.

“Part of our FEEDS program involves identifying where products come from, specifically targeting those within 250 miles of us. We’ve started to put a large emphasis on food coming from the Southeast, because we’re a lot closer to Florida or Georgia than we are to California or Mexico. We have a color-coded three-tiered system to identify different products.”

In March 2019, UNC Asheville Dining Services, in partnership with the UNC Asheville Office of Sustainability, coordinated a sustainable dining summit to share the lessons learned from FEEDS. “We had over 21 institutional representatives from colleges and corporate offices, consisting of dining directors, executive chefs, sustainability coordinators, and sustainability officers that work on the university side, who attended this two-day conference here at UNC Asheville,” says Ms. Ibach. “The summit covered best practices, where we answered ques-

“WHEN PEOPLE LEARN WHY YOU DO IT, HOW YOU’RE TAKING ACTION AND WHAT THEY CAN DO TO BETTER THEIR IMPACT, THIS WILL CREATE CHANGE AND LEAD US INTO A POSITIVE, HEALTHY FUTURE.”

tions on what we do. What does it mean to have a sustainable dining program? How can you improve your own on your campus?

It was a true partnership, as members attended from our parent company, Compass Group, as well as Sodexo and Aramark, who are competitors. We think this shows sustainability is not a competition, but a reality we must collectively push forward.

We weren’t sharing trade secrets; we were sitting down across the table and saying we all hold these positions that could make a really big difference.”

HEALTHY FUTURE Next, UNC Asheville Dining Services plans to increase plant-based options and education around plant-based eating, as

well as continue to make food waste a top priority. “There is always more work to be done, and increasingly people want to know more about their food system to inform their choices. In partnership with the school, a student recently began to analyze purchases from two different months to gain insight on how sustainable we really are, and hopefully will shed light on where else we can move the needle,” Ms. Ibach said. “We want to share our story!

With sustainability, if you’re not marketing and telling your story, you’re only doing half the job. “When people learn why you do it, how you’re taking action and what they can do to better their impact, this will create change and lead us into a positive, healthy future.” c SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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CONFERENCE REVIEW: CIRCULAR ECONOMY TAIWAN

CIRCULAR ECONOMY TAIWAN:

WHAT GOES AROUND

COMES AROUND 24 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

From September 26th to 28th, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) hosted the second edition of the Circular Economy Taiwan trade show at Exhibition Hall 1 in the Taiwan World Trade Center in Taipei.

Sustainable Business Magazine’s George Bell attended.

The concept of ‘circularity’ sums up sustainability perfectly. Anything that is set up in a ‘circular’ fashion is by definition the antithesis to ‘single-use’ or ‘disposable’. To be ‘circular’ is to be unending, self-perpetuating.

2019’s Circular Economy Taiwan (CE Taiwan) trade show was a showcase for circularity in business. The government of Taiwan recently embedded the circular economy in its 5+2 industrial innovation plan, and the second edition of CE Taiwan, which took place from September 26th-28th at the Taiwan World Trade Center, brought together Taiwanese and international companies to share ideas and products which pushed the envelope for sustainable, circular business.

Looking to the future, and to a place of international collaboration, Taiwan intends to “make contributions to the international community through exchange visits, technology transfer, [and] joint research,” says Yen Hsu-Ming, Executive Secretary of the Environmental Protection Administration Recycling Fund Management Board.

Many senior Taiwanese politicians and public figures made impassioned and ambitious addresses at the conference’s opening ceremony.

NOTABLE EXHIBITS • ECOCO’s public plastic bottle recycling hubs, where users can convert plastic recycling into redeemable points for in-app games.

• EPA’s toy polar bear made entirely from recycled plastic.

• Plan Tech’s 100%-recyclable sugarcane drinking straws.

• GOGO Furniture’s beautiful modular furniture, which emphasizes ‘simplicity, adaptability and portability’.

• Ju Tian Cleantech’s plant-based plastic alternatives.

• CarWink’s communication tools for cars.

• Covestro’s system for returning CO2 to the value chain as a new material.

• Cradle to Cradle’s certification system for circular design and production.

ABOUT TAITRA Founded in 1970, TAITRA is Taiwan’s leading non-profit trade promotion organization. Headquartered in Taipei, TAITRA has a team of 1,300 specialists and operates 5 local offices in Taiwan and 63 branches worldwide. The Taiwan Trade Centre London (TAITRA’s UK office) offers a wide range of free sourcing services. Based on your requirements, the team can prepare lists of potential suppliers and arrange online meetings with those you are interested in connecting with.

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CONFERENCE REVIEW: CIRCULAR ECONOMY TAIWAN

AN INTERVIEW WITH CAROLINE CHANG, SHOW MANAGER FOR CE TAIWAN. WHAT IS NEW AND EXCITING AT THIS YEAR’S CIRCULAR ECONOMY TRADE SHOW? Circular Economy is a new idea here in Taiwan. Last year, most exhibitors were showcasing recycling and water waste. But our exhibitors tell us that it can be applied to all kinds of fields. In Taiwanese culture we like new things, rather than second-hand, or those made from recycled materials. There’s also no law to enforce using recycled materials in new products. [Our exhibitors] are trying something new - they’re applying the 26 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

circular economy into their business model.

It’s something that’s easy to apply to an existing company’s current business model.

HAVE YOU SEEN A CHANGE IN PUBLIC PERCEPTION SINCE YOU STARTED PROMOTING CE IN TAIWAN? Last year, we opened up all three days of CE Taiwan to the public for the first time; the public have shown a lot of interest.

Many exhibitors have products that are close to the sphere of people’s daily lives, rather than big incomprehensible machinery. The public care about the issues of today, and this propels businesses to do more with their policies and business models.

HOW DOES CE TAIWAN FIT INTO TAIWAN’S BROADER 5+2 INDUSTRIAL INNOVATION PLAN? One of the 5+2 plans that is clear is renewable energy: we want to increase renewable energy capacities by 2025; we want to build more wind power plants - there’s a clear map for this. We’ve now seen the government set out clear goals, so in a year or two from now, CE should be as clearly laid out as renewable energy goals. The CE trade show will then be able to follow the government policy more closely. This year’s exhibitors have even been showcasing their green products ahead of any guidance from government policy - they do it because they want to do it. The gov-

sor them. Even those who can’t attend our trade show actively seek investments outside of the show, to help them grow.

Taiwan’s schools and colleges run programs to foster start-ups, and we’re working with universities to help them bring their student start-ups to the show. These are great, interesting products. I hope that both the universities and the government see the potential of showcasing at the CE trade show.

Circular Economy Taiwan (CE Taiwan) and Taiwan International Water Week (TIWW) will be held together at the Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1 from September 24 to 26, 2020.

For those unable to travel, TAITRA will host online product launches and oneon-one procurement meetings alongside the shows. Visit the Taiwan Trade Centre London’s website at https://london.taiwantrade.com to preregister and receive an invitation to the online events. ernment officials work with us on the trade show, of course, and we hope this will help shape their policy. Our exhibitors are willing to implement CE into their business model, so I hope they can reach more people with their innovations and products!

nologies to showcase but might not have the money to develop them or bring them to the market. This year we have investors and buyers. The green trend is all over the world and these investors are looking for something new to invest in.

IS IT DIFFICULT TO BALANCE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THESE STARTUPS WITH THE IDEA OF THEM COLLABORATING WITH EACH OTHER? That’s the reason we have this platform. A straw company, for instance, told me they met another exhibitor who introduced them to a new material they can use themselves. These companies have new tech-

HAVE YOU SEEN MORE SMALL START-UPS COLLABORATING ON BIG PROJECTS SINCE YOU BEGAN THE CE TRADE SHOWS? A lot of these start-ups have Facebook groups, and have a gathering once or twice a month.

In Taiwan the culture is such that the start-ups have to find a business to sponSUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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INTERVIEW: SUTHERLAND ENGINEERS

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RESILIENT BUILDINGS

Sustainable Business Magazine speaks to Noel de Villiers, Director at Sutherland Engineers, about off-grid energy, an innovative way to heat and cool buildings, and water conservation technology.

The last decade hasn’t been kind to business in South Africa. After ten years of stagnation following the global economic crisis, the most industrialized country in Africa is now in its second recession in two years, fueled by Eskom’s ongoing generation crisis, which has caused nationwide blackouts and has forced the state-run utility to rotate cuts between residential and business users. In the fourth quarter of 2019, seven out of ten major industries in South Africa contracted, ranging from a GDP loss of -1.8% for manufacturing all the way up to -7.2% for transport and communication and -7.6% for agriculture.

This is even before the shockwave effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic on the global economy have been factored in, with the latest projections anticipating a potential 5-6% contraction to the South African economy over the first six months of 2020.

It continues to be a difficult time for the construction industry as well, with a -5.9% GDP loss in Q4 2019. “We keep thinking: ‘After the election, after the next meeting, after the budget, after that things will take off’,” says Noel de Villiers, Technical Director at South African multidisciplinary engineering company Sutherland Engineers.

“But sadly, it hasn’t. Contractors Developers are putting projects on the back burner, or canceling them altogether. Much of our work is just treading water right now.”

Nonetheless, there have been a few bright spots in an overall cloudy picture for Sutherland Engineers. The mechanical services department has maintained steady business, which has helped the company to continue pushing forward in an otherwise

difficult economy. Furthermore, the severe electricity crisis has prompted many South Africans to take a closer look at the advantages of renewable energy. “At the moment we are experiencing regular load-shedding for two hours a day, or two sessions of two hours a day, which has been very disruptive to everybody,” explains Mr. de Villiers. “However, the result is that it’s raised a whole new awareness of alternative power sources.”

SOLAR COOLING Many businesses in South Africa, as well as homeowners, are looking for ways to generate their own energy, separate from the unreliable power grid. “There’s a whole new industry seeing how we can harness the large amount of sunlight we get to take us off the grid in a much larger way,” says Mr. de Villiers. “Upmarket residential homes want to go completely off the grid now. Many of them installed boreholes and whatever alternative water sources they could find a couple of years ago, effectively taking themselves off the grid from a water point of view. Now the same is happening on an electricity front. People are installing photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof trying to go off the grid.”

Sutherland Engineers are looking at new ways to apply solar energy into the

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INTERVIEW: SUTHERLAND ENGINEERS

needs of a modern South African market.

“One example is trying to keep people cool,” Mr. de Villiers says. “We are seeing if solar power could drive air conditioning systems. Recently we also had a meeting with a supplier looking at small absorption chillers. That means using hot water generated from solar thermal to drive absorption chillers, providing cooling. It’s interesting technology available on the market. The company is also looking at what is called solar PV thermal, which is a combination of the water heating panel and a PV panel.

It generates electricity at the same time as generating hot water. It provides much greater efficiencies because the water panel keeps the PV panel cooler.”

KEEPING TABS Another approach to circumnavigating regular outages is by designing heating and cooling systems which can continue functioning without power. Thermally Activated Building Structures (TABS) involves running hot and cold water through pipes within the structure of a building, using the thermal mass of the concrete to maintain a consistent temperature with lower operating costs than other heating and cooling systems. A ‘flywheel’ effect means the heating or cooling continues for several hours after the hot or cold water is no longer being run through the pipes, meaning TABS is well-suited to an environment with regular power cuts.

“One project we’ve just commissioned is called the Brickfield Canvas project, near in Cape Town,” Mr. de Villiers says. “That’s an 8000 square meter office complex using TABS. Normally a building like this would use a conventional air-cooled chiller, but we’re producing chilled water at 16°C rather than the usual 6-7°C, so the chiller is more efficient. The building will get the benefit of very efficiently-operating chillers with the TABS system running at night, when the air is relatively cool and off-peak electrical tariffs apply. During the day, 30 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

the chillers will then back off, so all that runs during the day are some pre-cooled fresh air systems. The chiller system runs at a very light load, pre-cooling the fresh air system before it’s pumped around the building to keep it cool. We are in our summer period as we speak, and every indication is that it’s coping extremely well with the 35°C days. That looks very promising. It will make them less prone to the problems of power outages.”

Another project using TABS is a new building being developed by the Swish Property Group at 358 Victoria Road in Cape Town. “That’s just beginning construction; they’ve just dug the five basement levels,” says Mr. de Villiers. “When completed, it will be an office block that will make use of the TABS cooling system.

At seven stories, it will be the biggest one we’ve done yet. There’s even an option of rising up to eleven floors. Either they will have to install larger diesel generators to guarantee air conditioning during power outages, or they go with TABS and the flywheel effect of the structural inertia to keep the place cool for a couple of hours during load-shedding. They’re very motivated by TABS, as you can imagine.”

WATER CONSERVATION Last time Sustainable Business Magazine spoke to Sutherland Engineers, in 2018, Cape Town was in the midst of the most serious water crisis in the city’s history, spurring many property owners to seek inventive new ways to conserve water. (See Sustainable Business Magazine EMEA 03/18 for the full feature.) Today, Cape Town’s water supply has stabilized, but building owners in the re-

“IT’S A CHALLENGING TIME, BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYBODY AS WELL.”

gion remain conscious of the need to reduce water consumption. Recently, Sutherland Engineers worked on a project at the Yacht Club, a mixed-use development at Cape Town Harbor. “There was a huge amount of groundwater seeping into the basement, as the development is only about 50 meters from the harbor,” says Mr. de Villiers. “From the design stage, they decided they wanted to use that water. Because the complex is so close to the sea, the water isn’t great quality, but they took the plunge and installed a reverse osmosis system. That system produces about 100,000 liters of water a day, serving the entire 180-room hotel, 100 apartments, and two floors of offices. As a result, the complex is all off-grid. The system has been up and running for about eight months, and is running very successfully.”

Sutherland Engineers recently installed another novel energy saving system at the Constantia Village shopping center in Cape Town. “We recently upgraded them to LED lighting, and also upgrade the water system,” says Mr. de Villiers. “At the center of Cape Town CBD is a project called The Box, which is a 25-storey building which, for five decades, has pumped about 30,000 liters of ground water out of the building into the stormwater system every day. We’re now converting The Box to use that groundwater in the cooling towers up on the roof. These kinds of methods are useful in places that we can’t convert to air-cooled equipment or dry coolers, and it saves huge amounts of energy and water.”

As South Africa looks at the long-term necessity of load-shedding and energy and

water conservation, Sutherland Engineers anticipate these sustainable technologies will see more widespread adoption. “It’s a challenging time,” says Mr. de Villiers.

“But there are plenty of opportunities for everybody as well.”

The latest wave of adversity to hit the country is the coronavirus epidemic. For Sutherland Engineers, this has presented another opportunity to generate new business as the company has been involved in a number of the emergency field hospitals that have been hastily erected around the country. The rapid design and implementation of the mechanical services required in these facilities required some creative thinking, making use of systems that were readily available. These systems are now successfully operating. c SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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TRAVEL GUIDE: SEYCHELLES

WELCOME TO

PARADISE

Welcome to this special Seychelles Travel Guide, a partnership between the Seychelles Tourism Board and Sustainable Business Magazine.

The Seychelles Tourism Board is a public/ private sector organization whose primary mandate is to promote Seychelles as one of the most desirable destinations in the world. Seychelles is a 115-island archipelago in the Indian Ocean, known for its ecologically diverse nature reserves, coral reefs, and unique wildlife.

We have year-round sun, crystal clear seas, and beautiful white sand. But the thing that 32 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

really makes us different is our environmental conservation. We are all about sustainability and being green in Seychelles, and we now have over 50% of our landmass and 30% of our water territory under conservation.

As Seychelles is made up of many islands, the region is, in fact, many destinations in one. And, as no two are the same, we recommend island hopping to all our visitors.

Low-laying (low-lying) islands tend to have

a greater variety of vegetation, including various shrubs and coconut trees, whereas granite islands can feature dense rainforest.

Some islands are mountainous and perfect for hiking and climbing, while some are purely for conserving the indigenous flora and fauna that lives there. The island of Praslin is the only place you can find the coco de mer tree growing in its natural state, and is also home to the VallĂŠe de

Mai forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On Aldabra, one of the largest colonies of giant land tortoises in the world lives in its natural state.

We know that one thing that is deeply affecting our environment is plastic waste, so the government has already banned the importation of single-use plastics, including cups, cutlery, Styrofoam boxes, plastic bags, and plastic straws. It’s a never-ending journey, and there is always something new we can do to make ourselves and our country even better at protecting the environment.

We really want our international visitors to be

involved in this journey, too. We want tourists to participate, become ambassadors, and be transformed, so that when they go back home they can educate and encourage others about the need for green and sustainable practices. This also includes supporting the local communities, because that is an essential component of sustainability.

At the very least, we expect visitors to help us preserve the natural environment while exploring, hiking, or snorkelling, and to leave the environment the way they found it. Even small disruptions can have an impact on the natural ecosystem, and then

it will not be sustainable anymore. Tourism remains the main economic pillar for Seychelles, and for the industry to continue to grow, it has to be sustainable.

This is why it is important that environmentalism remains the cornerstone of our tourism industry. In Seychelles we always have something new up our sleeves when it comes to nature conservation. We want to make sure Seychelles is visible in the world of tourism, but in doing that, communicate our core values in terms of sustainability, environmental protection, and our core socioeconomic principles.

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TRAVEL GUIDE: SEYCHELLES

WHERE TO START

SEYCHELLES FACTS

YOUR ADVENTURE Capital:

Victoria

Population:

96,762

Language(s):

French, English, Seselwa

Major resort areas: Mahé, Preslin, La Dihue,

Silhouhette Island, Victoria Tourist season:

April-May, October-November

Annual visitors:

384,204

Annual tourism earnings:

$520 million

Currency:

Seychellois Rupee

Avg. temperature: 79-82 °F Highest point:

Morne Seychellois (2,969 feet [905 metres])

Time zone:

GMT +4:00

Dialling code:

+248

KEY ATTRACTIONS Conservation Centre

Cousin Island

Eden Art Space

Diving

Botanical Gardens

Veuve Reserve

Coral Reef

Snorkeling

Coconut plantation

Tropical Birds

Beach

Vallée de Mai

Giant Tortoise

Fine Dining

Bike Routes

Mount Dauban

Hiking

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KEY REGIONS Praslin Mahé La Digue Silhouette Island Outer Islands

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TRAVEL GUIDE: SEYCHELLES

WHAT TO DO IN...

PRASLIN EXPLORE THE VALLÉE DE MAI The Vallée de Mai, or “Heart of Praslin”, is a UNESCO World Heritage site that has been protected since 1966. It is home to the original palm jungles of the Seychelles, and one of only two places—the other being Curieuse—to feature the endangered Coco de Mer tree. The Vallée de Mai is also home to rare indigenous birds, including the Seychellois bulbul and black parrot. The Glacis Noire, a signposted trail, runs through the palm forest and is suitable for wheelchair users.

BIRDWATCH AT COUSIN ISLAND This small island is just off the West coast of Praslin and has been a nature reserve since 1968. It’s an internationally owned conservation area managed by local NGO, Nature Seychelles. BirdLife International, a global group of conservation groups, has declared the island an area of particular significance as it provides a home to the indigenous Seychelles magpie-robin, warbler, and the

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fody, among many other avian creatures. The island also provides a nesting site for hawksbill turtles, and between 30 and 100 animals lay their eggs there every year.

ALSO IN PRASLIN: - Snorkel at Pierre Island, on the edge of the diverse Curieuse Marine National Park.

- Visit the Anse Lazio beach, considered by many to be the very best in Seychelles.

- Experience local, organic, Creole fine dining at Takamaka Bay’s La Grande Maison.

A local hotel makes its mark...

T

he Acajou Beach Resort ticks many of the boxes that tourists look for in an island escape holiday on the island of Praslin in Seychelles.

A stunning white-sand beach just steps away from the guest rooms. Renowned local cuisine. A modern pool. And a convenient location nearby the island's best attractions.

The one thing the hotel prides itself on most, however, can’t be found on that list.

Since its re-launch in 2015 after a oneyear renovation, the Acajou Beach Resort has poured vast amounts of energy and finances in its campaign toward sustainable tourism and a reduced footprint of its operations.

“As a Seychellois-owned hotel, we have an extra responsibility to safeguard the environment,” Acajou General Manager Joanise Doway says. “It's a constant learning process as technology advances and allows us to improve our practices and invest in long-term, more sustainable solutions.”

During the renovation, several key initiatives were launched, including a photo-voltaic solar array that accounts for about 50 percent of the hotel’s electricity consumption, with subsequent phases expected to increase capacity toward a complete conversion to solar power.

An energy management system, energy-efficient LED lighting, and a

...by trying not to leave one.

sewage treatment plant that dramatically reduces water consumption, all formed part of capital investments into more environmentally friendly operations.

But beyond the investments, the drive for sustainability has become an ethos.

“It’s become such a part of our brand and our team’s culture that it goes hand in hand with our approach to hospitality,” Doway says. “We challenge each other to a s k i f t h e r e ’s a b e t t e r w a y t o d o something, and we are often surprised to learn that some of the new measures we put into place are good for the environment and good for our bottom line, too.”

This evolving approach saw the Acajou Beach Resort awarded the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label (SSTL) in 2016, and re-certified in 2019 with a significant increase in its total score.

“The SSTL process provides us with a lot of motivation to continue improving in areas that we’re not as familiar with,” Doways says. “Since our first certification, we’ve been able to increase our capacity and implement better protocols to reduce wastage in the kitchen, and widen our guest and staff educational programmes.”

In this way, the Acajou Beach Resort aims for its business to give back to the local environment, rather than detract from it, Doway says. “For us, tourism should be an enabling factor to preserve the natural beauty of our islands.”

From top: Acajou’s famous octopus curry; beachside dining on Acajou’s stretch of Cote D’Or beach; Deluxe Room with ocean views; Acajou’s modern pool and restaurant

Acajou Beach Resort Cote D’Or, Praslin, Seychelles T: +248 4 385 300 | F: +248 4 385 301 www.acajouseychelles.com

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TRAVEL GUIDE: SEYCHELLES

RELAX ON THE BEACH Anse Lazio isn’t the only idyllic beach in the Seychelles, and Southern La Digue’s Anse Marron is home to natural pools and an extremely secluded bay. The sea pools are crystal clear and protected by more Seychelles granite. It’s a challenging hike to Anse Marron, and the Seychelles Tourism Board recommends making the trip with a local tour guide. Alternatively, on the west coast of La Digue is the stunning Anse Source d’Argentone—one of the most photographed beaches in the whole world.

ALSO IN LA DIGUE - Stay in a family run guest house and experience relaxed, traditional village life.

- Rent a bicycle and cruise along quiet roads and gentle slopes. Perfect for beginners.

- Visit L’Union’s coconut plantation for an insight into La Digue’s colonial history.

LA DIGUE EXPLORE THE VEUVE RESERVE This reserve is one of the last refuges of the black paradise flycatcher, which locals call the “vèv”, or widow. This small, central, forested reserve is home to more than a dozen pairs of the rare bird. There is a small 38 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

information centre, and local experts can be requested for guided tours. Rangers monitor the park to preserve the flycatchers and its various other avian inhabitants, including swiftlets and common land birds. Tread carefully, and enjoy the wildlife.

MAHÉ EXPERIENCE VICTORIA The self-styled “Creole capital of the world” is one of the world’s smallest capitals. The bustling, provincial city of 27,000 people has African, Malagasy, Indian, Chinese, French, and British history. It has a diverse demography and rich culture, and several striking buildings of worship. Visitors can explore the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market, or visit The Boardwalk for coffee, food, or local cocktails, depending on the time of day.

ALSO IN MAHÉ - Visit the National Botanical Gardens, which promote conservation and eco-tourism.

- Support the Eden Art Space, or notable artist George Camille’s Kaz Zanana gallery.

- Attend Festival Kreol, arguably the most important cultural event in the Seychelles.

HIKE UNSPOILED LANDSCAPES Mahé is home to the Morne Seychelles National Park, which actually covers 20% of the island’s land area. According to the Seychelles Tourist Board, over 50 percent of the archipelago’s total landmass—and 26 percent of its sea territory—is protected. Visitors can also hike the Copolia and Morne Blanc trails for stunning panoramic views of the island, multitudes of unique flora and fauna, and the stunning granite foundation of the island.

L UX URY

Call. +248 4 233 533

UND E R T H E S UN

oasisresort.sc

Set in Praslin in the Grand Anse Region, 3.4 km from Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve, Oasis Hotel Restaurant & Spa features an attractive Outdoor Pool and views of the pool. The hotel has a terrace and Spa Centre, and guests can enjoy a meal at the restaurant.

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TRAVEL GUIDE: SEYCHELLES SILHOUETTE ISLAND SEYCHELLES CONSERVATION CENTRE Over 92 percent of Silhouette Island has now been designated a protected area, to preserve its extraordinary biodiversity. It is home to the critically endangered sheathtailed bat, one of the rarest mammals in the in the world. Visitors can learn about Seychelles giant tortoises, and the conservation centre itself may even be safeguarding baby turtles. The island conservation society also monitors the rare flora present on Silhouette, including the critically endangered Impatiens Gordonii—a white flowered relative of the garden variety Busy Lizzie.

EXPLORE PROTECTED WATERS In addition to the protection of Silhouette Island itself, in 1987 the surrounding waters were declared a marine national park. Diving equipment can be easily rented from local vendors, and confident visitors can explore the pristine waters surrounding the island. Sheer granite cliffs and stunning coral make for colourful, spectacular dives. Lucky divers may spot blue-spotted rays, white-tip sharks, parrotfish hawksbill turtles, grey snappers, and even batfish.

ALSO IN SILHOUETTE ISLAND - Climb Mount Dauban to view the stunning, untouched rainforest from above.

- Take a guided night dive in the safe, warm waters that surround the island.

- Explore some of the most secluded, tranquil beaches Seychelles has to offer.

OUTER ISLANDS EXPLORE ALDABRA ATOLL This area is made up of four large - Grande Terre, Malabar, Polymnie, and Picard - and several small islands. These are all part of a large atoll coral reef surrounding an enormous lagoon. It is home to the single largest colony of wild giant tortoises in the world -a group of over 100,000 individuals. Flying foxes are also present on the island, while drift-divers can see doctor fish, black-tip sharks, manatees, and dolphins, all of whom inhabit the diverse marine environment.

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VIEW DENIS AND BIRD ISLANDS On Denis Island the small roads are perfect for gentle cycling, while while Bird Island is named after the millions of local sea birds that call the island home.

The sooty tern, an abundant tropical bird, thrives on Bird Island thanks to a total ban on predatory animals. Visitors may also spot white fairy terns, lesser noddys, Seychelles sunbirds, common mynas, and Madagascan red fodies. Bird Island is also home to Esmerelda, who is possibly the

oldest giant tortoise in the world. Snorkelling, wind surfing, diving, kayaking, and swimming are all welcome.

ALSO IN THE AREA - Relax on the stunning Anse Maquereau beach on Fregate Island.

- Watch the sunset from Felicite, Bird, or “Sunset Rocks” at Anse Kerlan beach.

- Visit the broad, forested coral atoll of Île Platte and the nearby Coëtivy.

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TRAVEL GUIDE: SEYCHELLES

PROTECTING PARADISE The Seychelles is synonymous with white sands and warm seas. But it is also famous for its rich greenery, dense rainforest, rare animals, and protected ecosystems – both terrestrial and marine. Home to sheer granite, striking beaches, and coral atolls, more than 50 percent of the archipelago’s total landmass and 26 percent of its sea territory is now protected.

All this helps to make the Seychelles one of the most ecologically diverse and idyllic tourist destinations in the world. So here are some of the very best locations, activities, and hidden gems from the sunsoaked archipelago, and how to enjoy them in a sustainable, environmentally conscious way.

In the Seychelles, the beauty of the natural environment is at the forefront of everything. So for island visitors, hiking, cycling, kayaking, and diving can all be sustainable ways of exploring the ecologically rich, protected areas of the Seychelles.

The diverse Vallée de Mai on Praslin and the Morne Seychelles National Park on Mahé are both perfectly suitable for on-foot exploration. The Veuve Reserve is also home to some particularly rare creatures, and visitors must tread carefully to preserve the area.

Hiking is a low-impact, environmentally-conscious way to see the Seychelles in all its beauty, as is cycling.

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On the gentle slopes of La Digue, visitors can rent bicycles and explore on two wheels. Sticking to paths and roads helps to minimize both land erosion and reduce stressors for the ever-present wildlife. When exploring the water, use sailing or electric boats where possible—as opposed to diesel—to help preserve the marine environment too. These vehicles and diving equipment can be rented from local vendors.

It is also important to be mindful of the coral islands, and supporting reef-friendly businesses is an easy way to support both the local economy and environment. Kayaking is a particularly eco-friendly means of exploration, and it enables visitors to glide over the rich marine landscapes without interrupting the many creatures who live there.

Silhouette and Pierre islands both provide some spectacular swimming spots, perfect for snorkelling and deeper dives.

Pierre sits on the very edge of Curieuse Marine National Park, and fortunate marine

explorers may spot sharks, rays, turtles, and rare fish in the area.

Currently, the Seychelles Tourism Board is working on The Pristine Seychelles Campaign along with a local NGO, the Seychelles Sustainability in Tourism Foundation. This campaign is focused on educating visitors on local green initiatives and encouraging them to participate themselves. As tourists, it is important to take responsibility for supporting the sustainability of regions like the Seychelles.

In addition to wildlife, Seychelles is home to bustling bars and restaurants.

Victoria is one of the smallest capital cities in the world, with diverse markets, local cuisine, and the Seychellois Creole culture.

Mahé and Praslin are also home to the annual Festival Kreol—an important cultural event for the region, celebrating music, dance, and arts from the Seychelles. Visitors can experience street performances, fashion shows, and live music. c

VISIT THE SEYCHELLES &

D I S CO V E R PA R A D I S E

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INTERVIEW: SOLAR BUZZ JAMAICA

JAMAICAN

SOLAR

REVOLUTION Sustainable Business Magazine speaks with Jason Robinson, CEO of Solar Buzz Jamaica, about resilient, cost-effective energy generation in Jamaica.

“We’re still seeing a lot of commercial buildings in Jamaica are built with roofs that can’t handle solar just to save some money,” says Jason Robinson, CEO of Solar Buzz Jamaica. “In this day and age, on an island state located in a hurricane zone, that’s unacceptable. But it’s not going to change until the government adopts better green building codes.”

Solar Buzz Jamaica are renewables and energy efficiency specialists, offering design and installation of solar systems as well as other energy-conservation technologies like efficient pool pumps and glass coatings. The company started out in 2011, after Mr. Robinson returned to his home country from Los Angeles with burgeoning experience in the renewables sector. He was motivated by what he felt was the Jamaica’s broken energy system. “At that time people were paying 45 cents or more per kilowatt hour (kWh) at their homes, and businesses were paying in the region of 30 cents,” says Mr. Robinson. “As a result, businesses were closing down because they couldn’t even afford their electricity bill. The power utility in the country was – and still is – a monopoly.”

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SPREADING THE WORD It took some time before Solar Buzz Jamaica could even get involved in solar energy.

“What we found back then was that financing simply wasn’t available for solar installations,” says Mr. Robinson. “Banks weren’t interested. We had to pivot and instead focused on energy audits and monitoring. I had the exclusive rights to an energy monitor called OWL, so I was putting that in people’s homes and businesses, teaching them how to conserve through energy monitoring.

Then the company started adding energy efficiency products to our range in order to further help our clients.”

“Around 2014, the Development Bank of Jamaica finally put financing in place that was accessible for normal businesses,” says Mr. Robinson. “Before that, the terms were too short and the interest rates too high.

At the end of 2014, the bank extended the Energy Loan to a 10-year term at around 8%. That allowed monthly payments on the loan to be less than what JPS, the country’s energy utility, wanted. That meant we finally saw an uptake in solar.”

Today, Solar Buzz Jamaica’s business is split approximately 70/30 between com-

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INTERVIEW: SOLAR BUZZ JAMAICA mercial and residential clients. This slower uptake by the residential sector is also due to the challenges of financing residential installations – the next challenge on Solar Buzz’s hit list.

focusing on the methodical design and pre-engineering of systems, then using proper equipment. We only use UL or CE-listed equipment, and always design our racking to withstand 170MPH winds.”

FOCUS ON QUALITY A national solar business didn’t appear with the flick of a switch. It has taken Solar Buzz Jamaica years of slow but strong growth built on the back of a commitment to reliable, long-lasting solar arrays. “Our focus at Solar Buzz is always quality,” says Mr. Robinson.

“We saw when coming into the market that people were selling solar systems but they weren’t doing the necessary pre-engineering work to make sure their clients understood what they were getting and what energy bills would look like at the end of it. Solar Buzz does a detailed energy audit, getting the interval details for our clients, residential or commercial, from the meter. The 1-minute interval usage of a client’s home or business allows us to do a detailed study of their load profile. Once we have that data, we can design solar specifically to their needs while providing a turnkey solution including all the necessary paperwork.”

“We also ensure that our systems deliver exactly what we say they will,” says Mr. Robinson. “If we recommended that a system would offset 60% or 100% of your usage on a home, then we’ll always hit within 2% to 3% of that figure. Really, for us, it’s about

RESILIENT ENERGY Solar combined with battery storage offers a reliable source of electricity even in the case of a grid outage – but only if it’s able to withstand hurricanes in the first place.

“A lot of other companies will buy iron or steel and then weld racking together here and put panels on it, but that comes with a whole host of issues regarding resiliency,” explains Mr. Robinson. “Our racking systems use materials which are designed to withstand 170MPH, and they come with a certificate from the racking manufacturer.

That means our client can go and get property insurance and add their system to the insurance so that the banks’ investment, the homeowners’ investment, is protected.”

Mr. Robinson believes more can be done to facilitate the widespread adoption of residential solar in Jamaica. “We don’t have the infrastructure to sustain ourselves against these storms that are only getting worse with climate change,” says Mr. Robinson. “We have old grids. Our utilities still don’t even have underground transmission wires. Solar plus battery storage capacity means people can protect themselves as long as the roof stays on during a devastating hurricane. They can have solar power in the days following the storm rather than waiting maybe months for the grid to come back online.

We need to focus on resilient power in Jamaica. Financial institutions need to start giving longer term loans to individual homeowners so that more and more

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“IF WE RECOMMENDED THAT A SYSTEM WOULD OFFSET 60% OR 100% OF YOUR USAGE ON A HOME, THEN WE’LL ALWAYS HIT WITHIN 2% TO 3% OF THAT FIGURE”

people can afford even just a small backup system in their homes for critical backup.”

LONG-LASTING VALUE “What 99% of our clients come to us for is to reduce energy cost,” says Mr. Robinson.

“We have some of the highest energy costs in the world. Businesses today are still paying 25 cents per kWh for energy. It’s one of if not the highest expense that businesses here have. To be able to reduce that is a pleasure, especially for clients that aren’t open at night or don’t have cold storage that runs 24 hours a day, meaning you can offset 70% of that with a grid type solar system with a cash payback of two years.”

One recent larger-scale project Solar Buzz Jamaica worked on was with the

University of the West Indies (UWI). “We recently won a tender for UWI through an EBSCO Solar Grant,” says Mr. Robinson. “The university approached us to help them design an application for their science library building, and we ended up winning it. It was the first library in the Caribbean to win the grant, and I think maybe in the whole Western Hemisphere. The 40kW system was installed and is now fully integrated into the curriculum. Once a semester we give a talk there. We designed it to be looked at as you walk around the roof, so everything is labeled and there is online monitoring. We’re very proud of the project, for the effort it took to win, to install it on time, and having it be part of the curriculum as an educational tool.”

“We are very involved with government and the Jamaica Renewable Energy Association,” says Mr. Robinson. “Pushing for new policies and changing existing policy is a big thing for us. We really need to see government implement better green policies for buildings so that when property is built, their roofs can handle solar. At the same time, we need better relationships with financial institutions, so we can get longer-term financing on solar so our residential clients can afford solar plus storage. We also want to have a better reach. The residential market is so untouched that we want to focus on growing that on the island. Eventually we do want to see ourselves doing a regional push – but not until we are satisfied and have proper established coverage of Jamaica.” c SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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INTERVIEW: SUPERMARKET ASSOCIATION OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

EMPOWERING TRINIDAD’S SUPERMARKETS Sustainable Business Magazine speaks to Rajiv Diptee, President of the Supermarket Association of Trinidad and Tobago, about reducing imports, a new training program, and the importance of innovating.

The Supermarket Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT) is a trade body which represents the interests of supermarkets, groceries, and consumers in Trinidad and Tobago. Established more than 30 years ago to function as a bridge between the public, corporate shareholders, and the Trinidadian government, today, SATT provides support and guidance to members, works with the relevant ministries, lobbies 48 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

for necessary laws and regulations, and provides training to keep members abreast of the latest technologies and systems.

“We represent the interests of dealers nationwide, including supermarket chains, independent supermarkets, and grocers,” explains Rajiv Diptee, President of SATT. “Part of what we do is empower those stakeholders by providing the highest level of support and guidance so they can

improve their overall business efficiency, helping them achieve better productivity, economies of scale, and higher utilization.

So if someone comes to us and they want to figure out how to do that we can, for example, advise on achieving more in their value chain.”

“We also work closely in conjunction with public bodies,” adds Mr. Diptee. “In small countries like ours, supermarkets sometimes don’t achieve the economies of scale of production that’s possible in larger markets. As a result, it may be cheaper to import, and we work with the government to effect the best import rates. SATT also tries to keep our exports at a competitive level, so we work closely with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and the Ministry of Trade to achieve that. We also work with the Ministry of Health to achieve high standards of health and safety. In the end, our aim is to keep our members up to date with the changing practices of the national and international sector.”

BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE The last decade has been a trying time for the economy of Trinidad and Tobago, with years of stagnation and recession. One of SATT’s ongoing projects is to help develop local alternatives to the most expensive imported products. “In the last couple of years, we’ve had a foreign exchange crunch in this country where access to foreign exchange for local importers has been a bit of a squeeze,” says Mr. Diptee. “At present we need to make a dent in our country’s import bill because it’s huge. It stands somewhere about US$4.5bn right now. So as a supermarket association we’re working with the Ministry of Trade, looking at local alternatives to some of the items that we import using our foreign exchange. We’re also looking at what new things we could start producing locally.”

To achieve this, SATT are advising local producers on how to deliver products which meet the same standards as their international competitors. “We’re working with local bodies such as the National Agri-

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INTERVIEW: SUPERMARKET ASSOCIATION OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

“WE INVEST IN OUR STAFF SO THEY UNDERSTAND THE TECHNOLOGY REQUIRED TO DELIVER TODAY’S PROJECT IN THE MANNER THAT CLIENTS EXPECT,”

culture Marketing and Development Company (NAMDEVCO) that represent farmers in order to bring them up to the relevant standards,” says Mr. Diptee. “They must be consistent and reliable in the quality of produce they can supply to these stores, of course, because if we’re replacing items then consumers want the same level of quality. It has been challenging but it has also been rewarding because we’ve found opportunities for export as well.”

DELIVERING TRAINING SATT takes a role not only in improving the standard of products, but also driving improvements to supermarket employee

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training. “SATT is working with a national training agency to develop courses, which will be unveiled this year,” explains Mr. Diptee. “We want potential employees to receive supermarket training before they ever come into a store. The training model right now is that the supermarket takes persons from the community and trains them in different areas of the supermarket operations while on the job. It could be packing, cashing, meat cutting, office personnel, security, or any other department.

But SATT are now fleshing out modules with the National Training Agency to develop a curriculum offering programs in all aspects of supermarket operations. That’s

something that will benefit not just the supermarkets but also the consumers, which means they have a basic level of competency for the job required. We look forward to rolling the program out in 2020.”

WORKSHOPS FOR RESILIENCY For SATT, sustainability means building long-term resiliency into the operations of their members, through a multiplicity of approaches. “There has been a marginal increase in taxes, there has been a recent raise in the minimum wage, and there has been a number of ticket increases in utilities and other items,” says Mr. Diptee.

“All of these create a strain on the cost

of operation. With sales somewhat flat in the current economic climate, we have been hosting a series of workshops to help our members. These include just-in-time operations to streamline their inventory, as well as workshops on warehousing and logistics, cost management, inventory control, and financial management. We also look at infrastructural advancements.

SATT is working with a number of holistic items too. Power and energy savings management, product trending management, OSHA management, as well as customer service and loyalty programs. Our members may not be able to adopt every facet of each item identified, but it allows them to select subsets that are cost effective and applicable to them. More importantly, they are then able to develop these things to fit their own needs well into the future. In that way we are helping our members build long-term resiliency.”

Such workshops are crucial in sharing information and generating new ideas, which SATT believes will be the key to future of the supermarket industry in Trinidad and Tobago. “They provide opportunities for some of our supermarket members to see what they could opt for, whether it is mergers and acquisitions or something else,” explains Mr. Diptee. “This ties into the future of the industry. Where you have an absence of planning, you miss out on the opportunities for these mergers and acquisitions.

You can see some of the long-established smaller players grow into medium and larger supermarket chains. Some of the older ones may internally upgrade and replace their older facilities with modern facilities. Some of these same members may choose to exit the industry completely as they may lack the desire, management, or even the capital to effectively compete in the new cyberspace global shopping environment. Our members have innovation, creativity, and emotional intelligence and we want to harness that. They will be the key to success that our industry’s future is based on.” c

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ADVERTISERS INDEX A Acajou Beach Resort B Black & Mcdonald Burns & Mcdonnell

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37

10 12

D Duz Cho Construction

13

K Key - Largo Electric Ltd

15

O Oasis Spa & Resort

39

P Pepe Marketing Limited Prescott College

50 Back cover

W West Coast Cutting Coring Group Waterpower Canada

10 2

PROVIDING YOU WITH HIGHER QUALITY SERVICES

www.duzcho.com Duz Cho Construction is an earthworks construction company doing site development, road access, and reclamation for the oil and gas, wind energy, and mining industries, and other civil works construction within the traditional territory of McLeod Lake Indian Band.

Duz Cho Construction is a civil earthworks construction company specializing in site development, road access and reclamation for the oil and gas, wind energy, mining industries and other civil works construction

within the traditional territory of the McLeod Lake Indian Band.

Duz Cho Construction’s success has been based largely in civil earthworks and mining.

We recognize that the continued growth of the

company depends on the diversification of the business. To this end Duz Cho Construction has expanded into the oil and gas, reclamation and forestry sectors, while maintaining the core civil earthworks and mining operations.

OUR SERVICES: MINING | ENERGY | ENVIRONMENTAL | INFRASTRUCTURE Duz Cho Construction LP. PO Box 28, 4821 South Access Road, Chetwynd, BC V0C 1J0 SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE | 53 T: 250-788-3120 | F: 250-788-3188 | E: reception@dcclp.com | duzcho.com

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