Sustainable Business Magazine Issue 116

ISSUE 116

The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership Evolving Education and how academic programmes are helping bring about a sustainable revolution.

Also featuring...

ACLA architecture

How a designer can be crucial in creating a better public space and more sustainable future for the country.

EcoMetrix

Supporting businesses achieve net zero targets sustainablebusinessmagazine.net

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ISSUE 116

The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership Evolving Education and how academic programmes are helping bring about a sustainable revolution.

Also featuring...

ACLA architecture

How a designer can be crucial in creating a better public space and more sustainable future for the country.

EcoMetrix

Supporting businesses achieve net zero targets

sustainablebusinessmagazine.net

Welcome to the latest edition of Sustainable Business Magazine.

Cover image - The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)

As we bring in the new year, it’s been a fascinating start to 2024 at Sustainable Business Magazine already, as we were welcomed into the inner workings of the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership this month.

In the first of this year’s education features, we spoke with Dr Theo Hacking who eloquently shared with us the powerful impact this course and its connected network of alumni are having, on the global business world. What’s also interesting to hear is how this institutes dynamic offering has continued to evolve and diversify, alongside the way businesses have developed, to ensure its courses are still as relevant and impactful as they have always been.

We also speak with Ecometrix - the innovative carbon accounting platform that’s providing smaller businesses a way to monitor their carbon footprint more effectively, alongside offering practical ways to future proof their organisations.

Sylvester Bamcole talks to us about the challenges ahead in creating the right balance to achieve optimal food production alongside responsible farming practices and what he is doing to mitigate this, in his role as a Sustainability Associate at Czarnikow. We finish with a look at the natural beauty of Cyprus in our travel guide - hearing from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism on how sustainable practices are cleverly woven throughout the islands local tourist industry.

Senior Writer Assistent Editor Web Development

T: +44 (0) 208 762 068 Email: info@sustainablebusinessmagazine.net sustainablebusinessmagazine.net

04 SYLVESTER BAMKOLE CZARNIKOW Building a climate resilient global food system

08 ECOMETRIX Innovative carbon accounting platform is supporting businesses achieve net zero targets

10 THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP (CISL) Evolving Education

16 ACLA ARCHITECTURE Revitalize and Rebuild

22 LEXMARK Commitment to sustainability:

26 TRUSTRACE Exposing The Traces of What We Wear

28 PARTNERSHIP FOR INCLUSIVE INNOVATION Addressing Sustainability Challenges Through a Multi-stake holder Approach

The Sustainable Business Magazine Team

61 Bridge Street, Kington HR5 3DJ UK

CONTENTS

Glen Westall Charlotte Devine Matt Woodhouse

GUEST WRITERS: Sylvester Bamkole Czarnikow, Sustainability Associate, Gary Robertson, Eco Group Opportunity Strategist, Debra Lam, the Founding Executive Director of the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation

30 PERNOD RICARD Tackling Climate Change in the Drinks Industry

38 CYPRUS TRAVEL GUIDE A Fusion Of Experiences

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE | 3

SYLVESTER BAMKOLE - CZARNIKOW

BUILDING A CLIMATE RESILIENT GLOBAL FOOD SYSTEM

HOW KEY STAKEHOLDERS CAN PLAY THEIR PART Sylvester Bamkole, a Sustainability Associate, at Czarnikow, speaks about the challenges ahead to deliver on COP28 and how supply chain partners, producers, buyers, and traders, can align their efforts to support the global transition of the food and agricultural sector towards a nature positive and climate resilient future.

In my role as a Sustainability Associate at CZ, I lead our global efforts on VIVE Climate Action – a science-based decarbonisation solution for food & beverage raw material supply chains, creating carbon transparency, identifying opportunities, and developing critical partnerships for carbon reduction. In simple terms, VIVE Climate Action leverages CZ’s supply chain

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expertise to implement a commercially viable pathway for carbon reductions and drive continuous improvement. Resultantly, I engage with several stakeholders in the F&B supply chain (farmers, mills, processors, buyer, multinationals, distributors), etc. who have various sustainability focused ambitions, which all need to align, if the prospect of 1.5°C alignment, in line with

the Paris Agreement, is to be realised. For example, producers seek to improve the sustainability credentials of their operations to gain competitive advantage and secure long-term business with the global multinationals, many of whom have allocated budgets for sustainable procurement. On the other hand, many multinationals have set publicly available, ambitious Scope 3 targets, which can only be achieved through carbon transparency in the supply chain and traceability. Hence, within the context of a wider societal sustainability transformation,

the importance of food systems transition cannot be overstated.

Research demonstrates that food systems may be responsible for a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, however, with a growing global population, ongoing political tension, and increased pressures on addressing long term food security, simplistic solutions such as output reductions are not viable. So how can key players involved in the F&B sector help drive the drastic emissions reductions needed in line with the Paris Agreement? This was a key question

at COP28 and is high on the agenda for the global F&B sector.

December 2023 saw the public announcement of the COP28 UAE Declaration on Agriculture, Food Systems and Climate Action which demonstrates the shared focus on climate resilience. Signed by 152 attending countries at the summit, the declaration stressed the need for common action on climate change, which adversely affects a large portion of the world’s population, particularly those living in vulnerable countries and communities. The hope is, this declaration will SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE | 5

SYLVESTER BAMKOLE - CZARNIKOW

A balance needs to be struck between optimal food production and responsible farming practices. This is something that can be complex to achieve against the backdrop of inflation and soaring food prices. drive collaborative action between global parties, with US$519 million in funding from the UAE, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Bezos Earth Fund, and others, pledged to aid the next phase of the CGIAR (formerly the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research) — a global agricultural research consortium based in Rome — as well as for investments in reducing emissions from livestock and food loss and waste. These and other funding commitments are a significant signal that governments and the philanthropic sector would support the food and climate agenda. Additionally, the SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative) has seen year on year growth in the number of companies engaged and the number (and ambition) of targets being set, approved, and validated.

So, the foundations of support and ambition are there – but what next? The global F&B sector faces a wide range of complex decarbonisation challenges that span entire supply chains. Throughout the agricultural process and even after the goods have reached the end consumer, a substantial amount of food is wasted 6 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

through inadequate storage, transport, and consumption practices; this waste is also responsible for further greenhouse gases.

According to a large meta-analysis of global food systems, published in Science (Poore and Nemecek (2018)), food waste accounts for around one-quarter of greenhouse gas emissions from food production; that equates to approximately 6% of total global emissions. Therefore, a balance needs to be struck between optimal food production and responsible farming practices. This is something that can be complex to achieve against the backdrop of inflation and soaring food prices. As a global industry, it is also challenging to align on policy needed to ensure a united approach.

To align commercial food production with current global demand, conversion of forests and other natural ecosystems to farmland has already set back the climate action agenda and continues to do so. Governments are presented with the double challenge of a need for increased agricultural production and the provision of natural carbon sinks. Furthermore, most commercial

farming is mechanised and often reliant on fossil fuel-based energy (particularly in the developing regions of the world) , making the reasons that agriculture is so carbon-intensive become clearer. Whilst progress is being made to pivot to less carbon intensive operations, affordability and infrastructure can be barriers to the speed at which this can be achieved.

Considering this, any path towards a more climate resilient food system necessitates collaboration, shared responsibility, and collective action.

The first step in achieving this is improving carbon transparency and traceability throughout raw material supply chains. A key challenge, particularly for global companies seeking to set reduction targets, is that their supply chains are so complex that it is challenging to identify exactly where in the chain the most emissions savings can be made. Once emissions hotspots are identified, buyers and traders can incentivise improved transparency by offering favourable opportunities to producers and processors that are able to provide accurate emissions data and demonstrate opportunities for potential carbon reductions. VIVE Climate Action, the initiative I have been leading at CZ, ran a pilot programme in Brazil in 2022.

The pilot assessed data and calculation needs at pilot sugar farms to pave the way for developing a scalable methodology for carbon modelling of sugar production. The goal of the pilot was to enable CZ to provide carbon transparency and reduction poten-

tial to buyers based on the environmental impact of VIVE sugar and one of the key findings from the pilot was the vast difference between direct land use change (dLUC) and statistical land use change (sLUC) data; dLUC calculation results were < 1% of sLUC calculation results, reducing overall results by roughly 70% across all three geographies. Essentially, when using primary data, GHG emissions were 70% less than when calculated using country level averages. This highlights the importance of accurate data and its centrality to making plans for carbon reductions in the supply chain.

Undoubtedly, investment is needed to translate carbon insights to carbon reductions in real terms. This is a sticking point

that challenges many aspects of sustainable development, as those who pay the highest price in terms of the adverse impacts of climate change are often those who cannot afford protections against it. In the case of F&B supply chains, it therefore is important that commercial incentives are provided along the supply chain to facilitate a pivot towards less carbon intensive practices.

Buyers can also play their part by adopting sustainable sourcing policies that favour those who have invested in sustainable development, often through verification programmes. The financial sector can also play its role by offering preferential funding terms to those who are endeavouring to act more responsibly, thereby allowing change

to happen at a faster pace.

In summary, addressing these challenges requires a combination of technological innovation, changes in agricultural practices, policy support, and international cooperation. Collaboration between governments, industry, research institutions, and civil society will be essential to overcoming these obstacles and achieving significant decarbonisation in the food and agricultural sector. At the risk of seeming obvious, the success of an impactful transition towards a 1.5°C trajectory in the F& B sector is largely dependent on how well engaged all stakeholders in the supply chain are, how well costs are shared, and how consciously they are all pulling in the same direction. c SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE | 7

ECOMETRIX

ECOMETRIX INNOVATIVE CARBON ACCOUNTING PLATFORM IS SUPPORTING BUSINESSES ACHIEVE NET ZERO TARGETS

Gary Robertson, Eco’s Group Opportunity Strategist.

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BUSINESSES across the UK are being offered access to an easy-to-understand method of measuring their carbon footprint as the urgency to become net zero ramps up.

Leaders in providing sustainable solutions to businesses across all sectors, Eco Group is putting carbon accounting to the top of the agenda through the launch of its pioneering EcoMetrix platform which allows companies to more easily measure their carbon emissions usage and subsequently implement carbon mitigation strategies.

With the message from COP28 that carbon emissions still need to be reduced by 43% to achieve global climate change objectives, businesses across the world are being reminded of the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels.

Through using the EcoMetrix platform, businesses will calculate their ‘carbon number’ which will be used as a benchmark to implement carbon reduction measures required to reach carbon net zero.

Gary Robertson, Eco Group’s Opportunity Strategist, said: “The messages from COP28 were quite clear; we all need to do more to significantly reduce our carbon footprint so we can achieve targets set out in the Paris Agreement of a global average temperature to 1.5C by 2030.

“Smaller businesses or organisations may think they don’t need to take action because their carbon footprint may be less than others, however we all have our part to play in lowering climate emissions, no matter how big or small our company is.

“Through EcoMetrix, we give businesses access to affordable carbon mitigation solutions which will secure their long-term future and give them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.”

“Carbon accounting has become so important that it should really be treated in the same way as financial accounting, but keeping track of emissions rather than money.”

“One day the carbon audit of a business will be just as crucial to the credibility and performance of that organisation as a financial audit is today.”

Through its EcoGoZero business, Eco Group collaborates with UK businesses to find practical innovations to mitigate carbon emissions and provide solutions for a resilient, more sustainable future, helping organisations achieve net zero targets.

EcoMetrix was launched to help businesses better understand their carbon footprint, and access affordable carbon mitigation solutions to future-proof their organisations.

As part of the process, Eco works with businesses right from the start and helps them benchmark what their footprint currently is, set targets to reduce this and then implement next steps required for businesses to achieve their goals.

Gary said: “What is obvious to me is that 2024 is going to be the most important year yet for industry CEOs and business owners in measuring their carbon footprint so they can introduce strategies to reduce their fossil fuel use and implement new techniques so they can maintain consistent carbon mitigation strategies.

“Whatever sector they operate in, they will need to make 2024 the year they start their journeys to net zero or risk playing catch up.

“We predict that it is only a matter of time before governments, local authorities, corporations and big companies will stop awarding contracts to businesses which aren’t able to prove their carbon number, so not being able to prove their carbon credentials could have huge ramifications.

“It is becoming increasingly common that businesses are experiencing pressure from their clients to reduce their carbon footprint and to prove they are doing so, but it can be difficult to get to grips with the practicalities of where and how to start measuring your emissions.

“What we definitely don’t want is for our partners and suppliers to be in the situation where they are denied a contract, which could cause significant damage to their business, because they don’t have a carbon number.”

Software for EcoMetrix was developed

by Eco Group in collaboration with CBN Expert, specialists in helping businesses improve their sustainability credentials.

The platform was created to make the process of measuring, recording and tracking a business’ carbon footprint as straightforward as possible to widen its appeal to businesses.

James Napier, the founder of CBN Expert, explains the functions of EcoMetrix

“Through EcoMetrix, we give businesses access to affordable carbon mitigation solutions which will secure their long-term future and give them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.”

James Napier, CBN Expert’s founder, said: “As demands on organisations to reduce their carbon footprint increase, carbon accounting will help them understand what is required and where they can make changes.

“The platform has been designed to be simple and easy-to-use, and to ensure that it brings added value to a business.”

To reduce their carbon footprint, businesses should prioritise the following guidelines: • Calculate a carbon number to know how many emissions they are currently using; • Identify ongoing opportunities to reduce carbon, and update targets along the path to net zero; • Switch to a green energy tariff; • Reduce waste by recycling materials such as paper and plastic; • Reduce travel-related emissions; • Invest in more fuel-efficient vehicles, and encourage clients to do the same; • Share best practices with your supply chain and discuss how they can work together to drive down emissions; • Set a target of reduced carbon emissions; • Future-proof their business by committing to carbon reduction and remain consistent.

EcoMetrix is aligned to the United Nations’ Sustainability Goals and is compliant with the UK Government’s Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) regulations, and international carbon accounting standard, the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol.

EcoGoZero works alongside businesses and organisations across the UK to help them meet their net zero ambitions through finding the right accessible and affordable carbon mitigation solutions. They include EV charging solutions, off-grid lighting, decentralised energy solutions as well as the EcoMetrix carbon accounting software package.

To find out more about how the innovative EcoMetrix platform can support your business reduce its carbon footprint, get in touch at getcounting@metrix.eco.

The first 50 businesses to use the code ECOMETRIX24 when signing up to EcoMetrix will receive a 10% discount and a free consultation.

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE | 9

THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP (CISL)

EVOLVING

EDUCATION Sustainable Business Magazine speaks with Dr. Theo Hacking, Director of Postgraduate Education at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, about how his academic programmes are helping bring about a sustainable revolution.

The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) offers a range of postgraduate courses that prepare working professionals to improve sustainability performance in their sector. Its longest-running programme is the Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business (PCSB), which launched in 1998.

Since then, the institute has moved with the growth in society and business demands, launching different course formats to meet the need of diverse knowledge and skills. Throughout its evolution, CISL has maintained a focus on developing leaders and champions for sustainability.

MOULDING LEADERS Dr. Theo Hacking, Director of Postgraduate Education at CISL, told Sustainable Business Magazine that 2010 was a key milestone in the history of the institute: “In September of that year, CISL welcomed our first cohort of the Master of 10 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Studies in Sustainability Leadership [MSt SL]. We launched it in response to CISL senior leadership at the time recognising that graduates joining the postgraduate certificate programme wanted a more substantial course. Something that fulfilled the profile and standing of a full master’s course.

However, CISL also recognised that those who would benefit most from such a course were likely in the midst of their careers, so we decided that a part-time, two-year format was most appropriate.”

In 2023, the MSt SL admitted its 14th cohort, and the course remains one of CISL’s most popular. Nonetheless, it has introduced a range of other study options.

For example, the PCSB was segmented into two streams based on market analysis that revealed growing demand for sustainability education, the need for more focussed courses, and the realisation that in many organisations’ sustainability challenges/opportunities are external to the organisation and need to be addressed collaboratively with

other stakeholders. The original certificate became the Organisational stream, with the new Value Chains stream added alongside, which focuses on the full lifecycle of a product or process through its upstream and downstream activities.

“Most businesses have complex networks supporting their operations and they don’t always control the risks and opportunities in that network,” explains Dr. Hacking. “Where businesses feel that they do have such control, that’s what the PCSB Organisational stream is for. However, where business by their nature or due to their stage of evolution feel that those

risks or opportunities are external to their organisation, they are located in the supply chains and external stakeholders, that’s where the PCSB Value Chains stream comes in. We segmented the PCSB to reflect the concerns of the marketplace.”

The PCSB is a nine-month long course and is a university accredited and industry-recognised certificate. Furthermore, following successful completion of a PCSB, students have two options to further progress their studies at CISL. The first is to move onto the MSt SL ‘Continuous route’.

The second is to take up the Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Business (PDSB), a

two-year course that was launched in 2016 following demands by PCSB alumni for further study that serves as a step between the Postgraduate Certificate and Master’s programme. CISL recognised that students who had completed the diploma were already two-thirds of the way to gaining the MSt SL, so it added a third stage in 2022 that enables eligible students to attain the MSt SL. CISL calls this path the ‘Flexible route’.

“It is an option for students that want to step through the stages in a more expansive way,” explains Dr. Hacking. “The flexible route permits breaks in between and the student can take up to ten years SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE | 11

THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP (CISL)

“We always have a smaller percentage of rising stars, people who have relatively limited experience but can convince us that they are mature beyond their years with ambitious plans for their future”

to complete their studies. A good percentage of our students are satisfied with completing the certificate as a stand-alone qualification. It remains an entry level qualification that is very useful as a foundation for better understanding sustainability in the business world. However, a subset of students decide to continue with us on the flexible route or to cross over to the continuous route. Of course, we also still have a substantial number of students joining the continuous route from the outset.”

Besides PCSB, PDSB and MSt SL, CISL also delivers the Master’s in Interdisciplinary Design for the Built Environment (IDBE), which focusses on sustainability challenges unique to the built environment. In 2017, CISL introduced the shorter Postgraduate Certificate in IDBE. Like CISL’s other postgraduate programmes, it focuses on 12 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

the strategic decision-making and leadership skills required to address sustainability challenges and opportunities.

ACCESSIBILITY CISL’s continuing development of formats is underpinned by its belief that education can, and should, be available to as many people as possible. That’s why it has looked at ways it can make its programmes more accessible to prospective students from a variety of backgrounds.

“A very important area of provision is online courses,” Dr. Hacking elaborates.

“Cambridge University – which CISL is part of – has traditionally been cautious to enter the market, whereas some of its competitors have been very bullish and offer online courses up to Masters level. Nonetheless in recent years the university has accelerated

its entry into this area, motivated in large part by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“A lot of these have been shorter, continuous personal development type courses, but CISL is looking to introduce fully online options throughout its Postgraduate Certificate courses converting our already extensive portfolio of online courses into further thematic streams. Such online options will improve accessibility of our courses to students that may otherwise have had difficulty joining us due to cost, personal reasons, or concerns around the impact of travelling for further study, which is especially relevant in the sustainability field.”

Although its courses might initially appear tailored towards senior leadership in the private sector, Dr. Hacking says they attract people from a broad spectrum of professional and demographic backgrounds: “We have sought to create programmes that resonates broadly with a business audience or people who have an interest in business as an agent of positive change. Due to the sector’s major role in the UK, finance is one of the more prominent sectors. Students who have spent years working in finance may be grappling with their role and contribution to society, especially in the wake of the financial crisis. Others come from the manufacturing sector which, of course, has traditionally had issues with waste management and resource and energy consumption, amongst others. They are looking for ways to improve the ‘circularity’ of the sector, for example. Other students might be working in an advisory or consultancy roles or are from the services sector and are looking to offer clients more sustainable solutions.

“There’s also a more recent trend of people coming in from small to medium enterprises (SMEs). It wasn’t traditionally a focus of CISL but recently we launched the Canopy, a community and workspace for SMEs and start-ups. We are beginning to see many more of them joining our postgraduate programmes. The Canopy is emblematic of our growing realisation that those types of businesses will be at the forefront of future innovations. Finally, CISL also caters for and draws on people from the public and not-for-profit sectors too.

Overall, we have great sectoral diversity.”

Dr. Hacking also reflects on the range of ages that come to study part-time through CISL: “In terms of individual profile, most of our students are mid-career professionals.

Dr Theo Hacking, Dr Kayla Friedman and Emma Fromberg presenting

People who have got to a point in their career where they want to redirect and re-energise, and especially those who feel there is a disconnect between what they are doing and what they would like to do.

Others have pragmatically realised that sustainability is a huge risk and opportunity for their business, and they want to move into that space through formal qualification.

“One of my colleagues describes our students’ ages as following a typical bell curve, where the majority fit the mid-career category. We then also have a smaller percentage of younger rising stars, people who have relatively limited experience but can

convince us that they are mature beyond their years with ambitious plans for their future. At the other end of the curve, we also see people who are more advanced in their chosen career. Maybe they have started reflecting on their careers and lives and feel they want to direct their considerable experience towards something they are really passionate about. Others may have been successful in their careers and have earned an opportunity to give something back, but to do so they need to be properly equipped to contribute to sustainability.”

It’s clear that CISL has something that attracts the interest and commitment of

people from all walks of life, and that the institute is keen to support that diversity. It takes practical steps to do so.

“We have established bursaries for people that traditionally wouldn’t be able to access a course like this at a university like Cambridge,” Dr. Hacking says. “They might be people in the UK that lack the resources to self-fund, small businesses with less funds to invest in staff development, or people from developing countries or emerging markets, where UK course fees can be prohibitive. There remains a pervasive mindset that part-time students can afford to self-fund because they are also working and, as a result, many traditional routes for grants and loans aren’t available for our courses. We’ve worked with alumni, friends and supporters alongside redirecting some of CISL’s own resources to make bursaries possible.”

NETWORK POWER In additional to its academic programmes, choosing to study at CISL also opens a gateway to different networking opportunities for students. It firstly offers its own internal network comprised of alumni and affiliated organisations. In addition to this, as part of the University of Cambridge, it is also part of the university’s infrastructure.

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE | 13

THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP (CISL) Director of Postgraduate Education at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

Dr. Hacking explains how this further empowers CISL’s students: “CISL has been active in the sustainability space for more than 30 years now. With a lot of our efforts being focused externally, such as working with practitioners and policy makers, we have cultivated and developed an extensive network of people. They have been involved with us through collaborative initiatives that CISL convenes, or through our executive programmes, through our postgraduate and online programmes, or more recently through the Canopy.”

“Quite early on we realised that it was sensible for us and them to not have just a fleeting connection, but to continue on a longer journey together. That gave rise to the notion of a CISL network. The network has now grown extensively, with more than 30,000 members. They vary greatly in terms of how much input they have on a regular basis, but we can connect with them all when necessary. From that community we can access considerable insights, people that are willing to step up and do things with us, and network members can access practical resources such as newsletters and invites to events that support everything CISL does.

Students can access that network as soon as they begin their CISL postgraduate course.

“Beyond CISL’s own network, our Master’s students are ‘matriculated’ and become full ‘card carrying’ members of their college. They also have access to the vast resources that the University of Cambridge itself has to offer. After graduating, they then become alumni of their college and the University and have the privileges that being an alumni confers. We find many of 14 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

our graduates remain connected through these networks long after they’ve finished studying at CISL.” Dr. Hacking concludes that diversity is, fundamentally, what CISL believes will shape the sustainable future the world needs: “We feel that everyone can be a leader within their sphere of influence. It’s about taking your sphere of influence and making the most of it. Our courses always contain classic leadership type sessions that involve coaching, reflective practice and storytelling because these are the essential skills and attributes that all leaders, no matter their background, find useful.

“Ultimately, we want to help them bring about changes towards sustainability. That is all about influencing others. The amount you can do with your own powers and efforts might be limited, but if you can persuade others to join you then you have the beginnings of a revolution. You can catalyse that and create newer, bigger things. Much of that is about giving people the explicit and implicit skills that enables them to be more influential, to have the confidence to go out and try to get others to join the good cause.

That’s what CISL is trying to foster.”

Applications for the 2024 Master’s in Sustainability Leadership close on 31 January 2024, with applications for September 2025 opening in September 2024. Applications for the 2024 Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma close on 5 March 2024, with applications for July 2025 opening in September 2024. c Find out more at cisl.cam.ac.uk/education/postgraduate-study

“We feel that everyone can be a leader within their sphere of influence. It’s about taking your sphere of influence and making the most of it. Our courses always contain classic leadership type sessions that involve coaching, reflective practice and storytelling because these are the basic skills and attributes that all leaders, no matter their background, find useful.”

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE | 15

ACLA ARCHITECTURE

REVITALIZE

AND REBUILD Sustainable Business Magazine speaks with Gary Turton, Director of ACLA architecture, an architectural firm in Trinidad, about how the company’s role as a designer can be crucial in creating a better public space and more sustainable future for the country.

ACLA Architecture is an architectural firm based in Port of Spain, Trinidad. It’s history stretches back to 1945, when it was first established in Barbados by Anthony C. Lewis, a Trinidadian architect and planner that graduated from Illinois Institute of Architects (IIT). However, he moved his firm to Trinidad and Tobago in 1950 and it has remained on the island since.

The current directors are Gary Turton, Laura Narayansingh and Ricardo Newallo.

Gary shared with us how their company’s work has had a significant impact on the society and skyline of the country: “The firm has had a long history of doing civic, commercial, and residential projects through the decades. We’ve done

some very iconic buildings in Port of Spain including the Hall of Justice and the Twin Towers, as well as a lot of the commercial buildings in the city as well.”

He adds that its success and longevity is down to one thing – new ideas: “Over the years I think one of the prominent features about the practice is that it’s been able to sustain itself in terms of how it’s planned. We constantly bring new life into the practice to extend its vitality, that’s really the reason we’ve been around for 70 years. In particular, the pandemic gave us a chance to think a lot, about being a bit more social-minded. We realised we wanted to improve the urban and civic space, and use our talents to benefit a greater number of people.

“Clients have also recognised the value in reusing buildings as well rather than always building a new. As a result, we’ve expanded our scope into interior work.

That has helped towards our values of community-mindedness and sustainability because instead of people always building new offices, we’re encouraging them to think before venturing out into new construction. Although, having said that, new construction has also increased since the pandemic – so both are on the rise.”

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE | 17

“We always look at installing more energy-efficient air conditioning systems, because they are probably the highest consumer of electricity in our climate.”

TRANSFORMING PUBLIC SPACE Mr. Turton goes on to provide a very specific example of how ACLA architecture has used its skills for public good: “During the pandemic, because handwashing had become so essential, we’d developed a hand wash folly that could be publicly installed. As things were starting to open back up, people were reluctant to go back outside, so we were trying to develop a prototype that we wanted to set up near the public parks. That way people would be more confident in using public space.

We’d got quite far on that project – searching for sponsors and getting a commission from the mayor to establish them. However, as the pandemic carried on there was a 18 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

malaise or reticence about coronavirus that people just didn’t want to hear about it any more, so we eventually decided not to finish the wash stand prototype. But that made us realise that we could create architecture that helped the general public.”

However, that’s not the only way that ACLA architecture has used its skills for the public benefit. Mr. Turton explains a less visible but no less meaningful task the company undertook: “One project involved us mapping land use in the city. At the time you couldn’t find any land use maps, nobody else had done that for Port of Spain. We went around different neighbourhoods documenting what areas were residential, commercial,

and civic. We created these maps that we felt were really interesting, and they were recently published in a book that one of our former directors produced about Port of Spain. Being able to map out land use in that way and then publish it was helpful for us and also means anyone else can make use of that information as well.

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ACLA ARCHITECTURE “When we work with local suppliers, we find out what their capabilities are for manufacturing and distribution. For instance, tempered glass railings were something that the country had to import for many years.

Now, though, we have a producer that’s manufacturing tempered glass within the country, so we use them. We also don’t just confine ourselves to Trinidad. Sometimes we reach out to other islands, at least those within 150-or-so miles, because we’re all part of the regional community.

“This type of thinking – local capabilities turned into local realities – really translates how we like to live into how we like to design.”

“As part of that, we also carried out a few other studies in parts of the city to find out, for example, how we could have improved the civic space – sidewalks, empty lots, the passageways that people regularly traverse. We wanted to find out how we might improve those.”

TAPPING INTO THE LOCAL MARKET As an architectural firm, ACLA architecture takes sustainability very seriously. It is operating adjacent to the construction industry, one of the most contentious areas of environmental concern. However, the company does everything it can to green its practice, beginning with its own offices.

“We try to walk the walk,” says Mr. Turton. “We recycle our waste and try to minimise the amount of time our air conditioning runs through the day by turning it on later and off earlier, just to reduce the electricity use. We run with these small principles into the work we do for our clients and how we work with our partners. Whilst not all of our clients pursue LEED certification or anything like that in their projects, we naturally build sustainable design approaches into their work. For example, its present in 20 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

how we think about orientation or sunshading. We always look at installing more energy-efficient air conditioning systems, because they are probably the highest consumer of electricity in our climate.

“We’re also always thinking about local materials, local producers and local suppliers so that we can integrate them into projects as much as possible. Because we are an island, there are certain things we can manufacture – such as concrete. However, a lot of things need to be shipped in like electrical and mechanical equipment. We try to think about it in terms of finishes, using low and zero VOC paints, things like that.

Mr. Turton also outlines how ACLA architecture stays on top of the capabilities of other local companies, and how they can synergise with the firm’s own interests:

NEW PROJECTS LINED UP With such a strong commitment to the local community and its future, it’s unsurprising that ACLA architecture has plenty of work lined up. Following two slow years resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, the firm is running once again on full steam.

“Lately, we have ben focusing a lot more on interior projects where we redesign existing buildings. One of these exciting projects is the Maracas Bay Hotel, an old hotel that fell into disrepair and now our client has decided to revitalise it. Our approach will be to reuse as much of the existing building as possible and spruce up the areas that needed to be rebuilt. I think we’ve been able to come up with an exciting solution and everyone involved is looking forward to working on the project.

Interestingly, the company also has a spate of work coming in where it’s been called in to work on buildings that ACLA architecture originally had a hand in building.

“We’re doing another refurbishment of an existing building, one that we actually designed maybe 15 or 20 years ago for Republic Bank,” explains Mr. Turton. “It’s one of their back of house administration buildings, but it’s almost a total refurbishment of that building. We’re also involved with some work for Shell, partnering with American firm AE Com on that, which strangely enough is also a refurbishment of a building that we designed many years ago. Shell has

occupied the building for a long time and have recently renewed their lease so now they’re trying to convince their staff to come back to work in the office after the pandemic. We’re working on a very similar project with BP, which has similar aims to draw staff back to the office. Trinidad is an interesting place because we have a lot of the energy companies here. There’s that international understanding of office spaces, which keeps people on their toes.

“Another exciting project we’re working on is in St Vincent. That is a collaboration with a local architect there, and is an example of how we’re branching out beyond Trinidad. One final project currently going ahead is in Port of Spain, and it will be a nice new building for the skyline. We’re also doing some work for a local energy chamber that represents a lobby group for all the energy companies. They finally decided to create an office for themselves and have chosen us to work on it.

Having weathered some of the toughest times in modern history, the Director concludes with a bright outlook on ACLA Architecture’s future: “It’s exciting times for ACLA architecture. Work was so slow, even into 2021, but now things are picking up. We’re keen to start working on new projects, new ideas, and bring our newfound sense of public commitment into everything that we do.” c

“It’s exciting times for ACLA architecture. Work was so slow, even into 2021, but now things are picking up. We’re keen to start working on new projects, new ideas, and bring our newfound sense of public commitment into everything that we do.”

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE | 21

LEXMARK

LEXMARK’S COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY: KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REPORT

By John Gagel, Chief Sustainability Officer at Lexmark For over three decades, Lexmark has been at the forefront of promoting sustainability and circular economy principles in the printing industry. With a steadfast commitment to reducing environmental impact, Lexmark has taken innovative strides in various areas of sustainability, such as intentional engineering, efficiency in use, OEM remanufacturing and overall adopting a holistic approach to our product lifecycle.

Our latest Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report showcases Lexmark’s commitment to large-scale sustainability, focusing on operations, products, people and partners. We report on these efforts back to 2005 so we’re proud to demonstrate a long history of responsible, sustainability 22 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

practices, including awards and certifications to back up our efforts. We’re pleased to say that we progressed toward many of our goals in 2023 and are on track to meet our 2035 targets.

Some of the key points in our latest CSR report, highlighting our achievements and goals in various areas of the business: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND EMISSIONS REDUCTION Lexmark is dedicated to reducing our environmental impact by setting ambitious goals for energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and renewable energy sourcing. By the end of 2022, we achieved a 43% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emis-

sions and a 26% reduction in energy consumption compared to 2015 levels. Our aim is to source 100% renewable energy by 2030 and become fully carbon neutral by 2035.We are confident we can meet this goal based on our current progress.

Last year Lexmark also made significant progress in water conservation, reducing water withdrawal by 40% since 2015. Regarding waste reduction we’ve also achieved a 58% reduction in waste generated since 2015. Our recycling plant in Juárez, Mexico, for example, processes approximately 12,000 empty toner cartridges daily, redirecting more than 160,000 metric tons of material away from landfills since 1991.

CIRCULAR ECONOMY INITIATIVES We have continued our commitment to promoting a circular economy through product design, manufacturing, and end-of-life management, and have set goals to increase the use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic in our Lexmark devices and cartridges. In 2022, Lexmark-branded devices contained an average of 40% PCR plastic, while cartridges contained 41% reclaimed plastic.

We aim to achieve 50% PCR content in both devices and cartridges by 2025.

tion across all areas of corporate social responsibility. This includes the 2023 EcoVadis Platinum Rating, ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, Forbes World’s Top Female-Friendly Companies, Manufacturing Leadership Award for Collaborative ecosystems, and more. We have also complied with an increased number of international material restriction regulations, such as the European Union’s REACH regulation. See a full list of our CSR awards and recognition here.

PRODUCT RECOGNITIONS AND COMPLIANCE Again, last year we were recognised by many prominent standards and certifica-

EPEAT® CLIMATE+™ AWARDS Most importantly, Lexmark has recently been awarded with the stringent new EPEAT® Climate+™ designation for 42 of SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE | 23

LEXMARK

its imaging products by the Global Electronics Council™ (GEC). A total of 43 products earned the EPEAT Climate+ distinction in the Imaging Equipment product category when the program launched on Oct. 3, 2023, 42 of which were from Lexmark.

Climate+ is a new product designation from the GEC meant to connect

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forward-thinking electronics brands with carbon-conscious purchasers. Climate+ designated products meet progressive new requirements developed in a multi-stakeholder process meant to reduce their lifecycle carbon, potentially years ahead of the rest of the market. The products set themselves apart on the EPEAT Registry because of these climate change mitigation measures.

“We are proud that Lexmark products account for 42 of the 43 imaging products that met the stringent EPEAT Climate+ requirements,” said John Gagel, Chief Sustainability Officer, Lexmark. “These requirements extend beyond the products themselves to how we manage our own operations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Custom-

ers across the globe can be confident that by opting for Lexmark, they are making a positive choice for the environment.”

By opting for Climate+ designated products, organisations can drive change with increased transparency about public and third-party verified disclosures of supply chain greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, easing the challenge of procurement related to Scope-3 emissions tracking and decision making.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce, not only among our own workforce but across the wider industry. Within our own company, last year we set goals to increase worldwide representation of female employees to 43% and female managers to 42% by 2030. We also support diversity initiatives through our Diversity Advisory Council and Diversity Network Groups.

EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP We achieved our goal to provide training on human rights issues to 98% of our workforce last year. We pride ourselves on our Lexmark-owned and leased facilities which are ISO 45001:2018 certified, ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for employees.

We also actively engage in community partnerships, focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) education, reforestation initiatives, educational infrastructure improvement, and watershed protection. Furthermore we constantly collaborate with universities, local schools, aid agencies, NGOs, and customers to address areas of need within communities.

Our latest CSR Report demonstrates the company’s dedication to sustainability, social responsibility and environmental stewardship. Through our ambitious goals and ongoing initiatives, Lexmark continues to set best practices and deliver sustainable products and solutions that help our customers reduce their own environmental footprint. c Please visit Lexmark’s latest CSR report here.

For more information on Lexmark’s sustainability initiatives, please visit: Circular Economy - Lexmark CSR Search Lexmark EPEAT Climate+ designated products.

Review the latest Lexmark CSR Report.

LEXMARK HAS RECENTLY BEEN AWARDED WITH THE STRINGENT NEW EPEAT® CLIMATE+™ DESIGNATION FOR 42 OF ITS IMAGING PRODUCTS BY THE GLOBAL ELECTRONICS COUNCIL™ (GEC).

Learn more about GEC EPEAT Climate+ SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE | 25

TRUSTRACE

EXPOSING THE TRACES OF WHAT WE WEAR TrusTrace is a digital platform which helps fashion brands like Adidas and Asics to make value chains which are traceable, circular and fair. The leading platform for traceability and compliance data management, TrusTrace standardises how supply chain and material traceability data is captured, digitised and shared between brands and suppliers. One of its four founders, Shameek Ghosh, sat down with Sustainable Business Magazine to share how their company grew into the pioneering platform we see today.

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The four founders of TrusTrace came together through their employment at a large Indian IT services company, Shameek tells us. Their venture began seven years ago after one of their group was called from his work in the UK to his hometown of Coimbatore in India. His family’s village and farming had been ‘badly affected by a river nearby which was polluted by chemicals coming from the textile mills there.’

Shameek recalls this as a ‘wakeup moment’ for all four of the soon-to-be-founders. They came face to face with the reality that ‘what the developed world is consuming’ bears no trace of ‘the darker side’ of its creation in ‘the developing world.’

Testing this theory out, Ghosh tells us how he asked some of the most sustainable brands in Sweden, where he lives, of their supply chain visibility. They explained the issue: their production takes place in ‘such far off places that we cannot possibly have control of the supply chain.’

The four co-founders promised to provide ‘this kind of visibility and control of the supply chain.’ They saw the ‘potential to develop a non-for-profit kind of a platform’ and ‘started working with Scandinavian brands who had sustainability as a primary goal.’

This potential that they saw, he explains, became ‘bigger and bigger’ thanks to the roll out of ‘new EU regulations on forced labour, working conditions, workers rights and environmental impact.’ ‘It was then that we saw a solution that was very relevant for these smaller sustainable brands was actually becoming more relevant for bigger brands like Adidas who also wanted to improve their control of the supply chain.’

Maintaining continuous growth, TrusTrace announced a $24M USD funding round led by Circularity Capital at the beginning of this year, with participation from existing investors Industrifonden and Fairpoint Capital.

The investment will help TrusTrace support the growing number of fashion and textile brands in need of supply chain traceability to achieve sustainability goals and ensure competitiveness in the face of mounting regulatory and consumer pressure.

HOW DOES TRUSTRACE HELP? “We are a software platform which is helping fashion brands to achieve what we call product traceability and compliance data management.’ Using his platform, Shameek explains, a fashion brand can know the tier 1, 2, 3 and 4 facilities which manufactured a product: ‘who their suppliers are, who is the

main supplier and who is the sub-supplier of the sub supplier.’

‘We can also collect information about what is going on in those facilities in relation to environmental, social and electrical aspects,’ Shameek continues. TrusTrace can answer the questions: ‘what is the water intensity? Do they have a chemical effluent system? Do they provide proper working conditions?’ And more.

TrusTrace provides a depth of information that extends not only to identification of supply chain manufacturers and the social and environmental conditions of their facilities, but also to information about the materials of the products that these facilities are using. We ‘collect information about how much the product is made out of sustainable materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, responsible wool… In a sense what it means is if a fashion brand wants to increase the percentage of sustainable products in their portfolio, then they can use TrusTrace’s platform to achieve that.

‘we are running pilots’ which aim to help ‘fashion brands to develop solutions for repair management or recycle management.’

Shameek wants TrusTrace to be ‘the platform’ which provides ‘visibility across the supply chain’ and ensures a certainty that ‘products’ are ‘very sustainable.’ He points to how the TrusTrace team are looking into ways that they can begin ‘sharing’ their ‘information with consumers’ through ‘digital passports.’ Looking ahead, he sees the platform growing to ‘cover at least a significant part of the fashion supply chain.’

With the completion of TrusTrace’s latest investment round, Shameek shared that ‘the new investment will enable the company to further accelerate its global expansion ambitions by strengthening its presence in key markets, deepening product innovation and expanding collaborations – helping to create a global network where all value chains are traceable, circular, and fair.’ c

LOOKING AHEAD Shameek’s current work revolves around managing both what he calls ‘the traceability side’ and ‘the circularity side’ of the platform. On the ‘traceability side’, he finds that brands are trying to keep ahead of the ‘new laws’ which continue to come in.

Shameek’s team spends time helping these brands to ensure that their chosen suppliers are suitably sustainable before they place an order. On the circularity side, he explains, SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE | 27

PARTNERSHIP FOR INCLUSIVE INNOVATION

ADDRESSING SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES

THROUGH A MULTI-STAKE HOLDER APPROACH

By Debra Lam, the Founding Executive Director of the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation NASA officially declared July 2023 as the hottest month on record since the late 19th century. This summer’s stifling heat left tens of millions of people in the U.S. alone under heat warnings and accounted for thousands of heat-related illnesses and fatalities. And while local communities bear the brunt of these extreme weather events, they typically remain absent from broader solution-driven discussions, especially those with the fewest resources. As a result, by the time these solutions trickle down to the local level, they fail to provide the right resources for the people who need them most.

In the rush to address global sustainability challenges, public-private partnerships (PPPs) have become an avenue to bring diverse stakeholders together. They present a compelling proposition: by marrying the

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abilities, influence, resources, and innovation of citizens, nonprofit organizations, foundations, universities, small businesses, corporations and governments, they are better equipped, together, to bridge the existing disconnect between global strategies and local realities.

Take the southeastern U.S., for instance. I serve as the Founding Executive Director for the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (Partnership), which aims at providing a multistakeholder approach to complex solutions at the local level. Based in Georgia, the Partnership is a mission-driven collective that forges alliances between the public and private sectors, as well as the general public, civil society, educational institutions and more. Our annual Community Research Grant Program stands as the epitome of our dual approach to cli-

mate resilience and economic empowerment.

This year, we supported projects focused on cleantech to pave the way for a brighter future throughout Georgia and beyond.

This year’s winning projects in cities large and small will benefit from research capabilities, including multi-disciplinary research teams, program management tools, funding and strategic partnership opportunities.

In total, the projects represented four communities, four states, seven institutions of higher education, three nonprofits, one private sector organization and the public at large.

Take the project in Brunswick, Georgia: this project aims to improve water quality, address environmental disparities and contribute to long-term sustainable solutions for Glynn County with a people-first approach.

Local citizens directly impacted by poor water quality will be trained to test their water and share the results with the broader community to ensure a holistic grassroots solution. Through an additional grant from the Georgia Foundation for Public Education, the local school district will also be involved in translating the work into education and curriculum development.

One of the project partners, Glynn County Commissioner Allen Booker, remarked that the “opportunity builds local capacity and empowers traditionally underserved Black and Brown neighborhoods so that families can improve their quality of life.”

We’re also championing other environmental-centric projects after careful exchanges with the impacted communities.

For example, The city of Savannah, Chatham Emergency Management Agency, as well as scientists and engineers from the Georgia Institute of Technology have teamed up for the Smart Sea Level Sensors initiative. The goal is to develop a network for measuring sea level flood risk in order to inform government officials and other key stakeholders — including the recipient communities — in real time during natural disasters and storms.

The pilot network helps to improve flood warnings, emergency response action plans, and flood predictions for future flood events, as well as serves as the basis for additional sea management tool development, environmental monitoring platform development and data sharing. Residents have adopted the sensors and a high school STEM class has now learned to put together the sensor.

Other cities are also rising to the occasion. San Francisco’s Waterfront Resilience Program, spanning a 7.5-mile stretch, takes a collaborative approach to improve response

Let’s lead by example and become change makers inside and outside of the workplace, right here in our beloved communities. efforts as a result of earthquakes, floodings, rising sea levels and shoreline erosion. The project is a combined effort involving the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Port of San Francisco and critically, the local community. Through the Waterfront Assets Mapping Exercise, residents are able to make their voices heard on what a resilient, sustainable, equitable waterfront means to them. The Port is also working to create opportunities for San Francisco’s historically underserved communities in neighborhoods along the Embarcadero Seawall to engage in decision-making and benefit through job opportunities and post-construction conditions.

An ocean away, Scotland’s Stirling Council has prioritized community engagement at the heart of its Climate and Nature Emergency strategy. Instead of merely presenting residents with an extensive report, the Council opted for a participatory approach.

Through polls, surveys and brainstorming sessions, the Council, the wider public sector, local businesses, and residents came together to plan the best course of action in addressing the climate crisis.

Each one of these examples includes a range of actors working in concert for a collective objective. In essence, the future of our planet depends on a multi-pronged

approach. It starts with the problem, and is informed by research, data, technology, and other tools. Communities get critical access to R&D and innovations that they might not have, and the research becomes better with community engagement. Such experiences and outcomes can then be shared with other communities that could model the project or look to integrate and scale the work. While global strategies and high-level discussions are essential, it’s the integration of local experiences, the combined strength of public-private collaborations and the collective will of communities worldwide that will allow us to build urban resilience against more frequent and severe weather and climate impacts.

Regardless of where we work, the organizations we represent — irrelevant of sector, size or geography — all have a role to play in addressing sustainability challenges. And as residents, we too can and must contribute.

Only with this multi-prong approach can we ensure that solution-making decisions take into account our individual and collective experiences. Wicked problems require complex solutions. We have a collective responsibility to act. After all, lives are at stake.

Let’s lead by example and become change makers inside and outside of the workplace, right here in our beloved communities. c SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE | 29

PERNOD RICARD

TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE DRINKS INDUSTRY You might know Pernod Ricard as the owners of some of the world’s favourite drinks brands, from Jameson and Beefeater to Absolut. But the company is also gaining a name for its sustainability and responsibility roadmap. Having committed to over a 50% reduction in its carbon emissions by 2030 for scope 1 and 2, the business is looking upon a trajectory for net zero by 2050. Sustainable Business Magazine spoke to Sandrine Ricard, Deputy Director of Sustainability & Responsibility at Pernod Ricard in the UK, to find out how the business is spearheading the transition to a more sustainable future for drinks companies worldwide.

Sandrine Ricard, Deputy Director of Sustainability & Responsibility at Pernod Ricard in the UK

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ADDRESSING THE SUPPLY CHAIN For Sandrine, attention to the global supply chain is key to addressing emissions.

However, she explains, for a company as expansive as Pernod Ricard, ensuring a sustainable supply chain is not an easy task.

Sandrine breaks it down for us by using the Pernod Ricard business dedicated to Scotch whisky, Chivas Brothers, as an example: “It starts at the agricultural level.’ For whisky, she explains, ‘it is the barley - the cereal that we use to make whisky. Then, it is the malting of the barley, followed by distilling, maturing, blending and bottling. Then, the

transport to the distribution, onto the retail, all the way to its consumption and recycling.

So that is our value chain.”

Albeit overwhelming to lay bare all the distinct and dispersed parts of the company’s value chain, Sandrine sees that in understanding the value chain there is an exciting opportunity for change.

“Once you understand your value chain, you can identify the hotspots… Everyone is talking about scope 3 emissions at the moment, and that is where, like many other companies, most of our emissions reside.”

To break that down further, Sandrine ex-

plains to us, wet goods including agriculture and malting account for over a third of its scope 3 emissions, followed by dry goods, which is nearly a third, and then transport, which is a little lower than that.

MINIMISING SCOPE 3 EMISSIONS. Sandrine describes some of the ways in which Pernod Ricard has made changes to improve its key scope 3 areas of agriculture, packaging and transport.

In terms of agriculture, making industry sustainability standards known to its farmers and suppliers is crucial. Chivas Brothers, for example, is working with its existing farmers to help them reach the standards it expects and looks to “Scottish quality cereals which are rated silver or gold in the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative.” (SAI) For packaging, Pernod Ricard is committed to making all packaging “recyclable, reusable or compostable’’ by the end of 2025, and it became a signatory of the Ellen Macarthur Foundation in 2022. One of the ways Pernod Ricard is doing this is by looking at the level of recycled content within glass bottles, setting a target of 50%.

Elsewhere, Sandrine adds that the business is “trialling a paper bottle with Absolut. It is made up of 57% paper with just a little bit of a recyclable plastic barrier inside, so the liquid does not interact with paper.”

“Pernod Ricard has also partnered with ecoSPIRITS. We have trialled a 4.5 litre container in some bars and restaurants.”

Instead of being thrown away, “It is cleaned and refilled.” Following the success of the trial which reduced emissions by a significant amount, they are “looking to expand this into other countries.”

With regard to transport, Chivas Brothers is seeking to engage with its suppliers and is piloting the electrification of its fleet: “We’ve partnered with Volvo Trucks this year with our first electric tractor unit, the first of its size to be rolled out in Scotland”

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PERNOD RICARD

PIONEERING TECHNOLOGY In addition to addressing its scope 3 emissions, Pernod Ricard has used technological innovation to minimise emissions from the distillation process.

Chivas Brothers recently won the ‘Energy Efficiency Project of the Year’ at the edie Net Zero Awards 2023. This comes

following the implementation of Mechanical Vapour Recompression technology (MVR) at its Glentauchers distillery.

The heat recovery technology reduces emissions in the distilling process. It works, Sandrine explains, by “capturing and reusing heat that would otherwise be lost in the distilling process.”

Being the first to trial this technology in the Scotch industry last year, it has since seen great success: “we managed to reduce our energy consumption by 48%. And our CO2 emissions by 53%. Once we have fit the technology into some of our other distilleries, by the end of 2026 we estimate a further reduction of 31% of our CO2 emissions.”

SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION Sandrine confides that this sort of technology ‘comes at quite a big investment. Chivas Brothers announced £60 million in planned investment over the next three years to

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cut its carbon footprint, which includes the transition to MVR at viable distilleries.

Talking more broadly, Sandrine emphasises climate change as a task that ‘we need to work together on. We are all on this journey together.” This is why, she told us, the company chose to “make this technology open source.”

“Chivas Brothers held an open house in October with our competitors and industry peers. Around 130 people came to see and

asked questions. They were impressed that we were sharing the technology because not many companies share their technology.”

Sandrine notes that “if MVR were applied to the wider industry’s malt distilleries alone, this could lead to an equivalent energy saving enough to power 605,000 average homes for a whole year.” For Sandrine, this comes as a reminder of the need for a ‘spirit of collaboration” in tackling the global shared issue of climate change. c SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE | 33

TRAVEL GUIDE: CYPRUS

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CYPRUS Welcome to Sustainable Business Magazine’s Cyprus Travel Guide Charlotte Devine, Assistant Editor for Sustainable Business Magazine, interviewed officials from the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Tourism. The interview took place at the 2023 World Travel Market event in London, which took place between 6 and 8 November 2023.

Holidayers have seen Cyprus as a desirable destination for decades. It first made a mark on the international tourist map in the 1970s as popular ‘sun and sea’ resort. This started in the famous cities of Famagusta and Keryneia, but quickly spread across the coastline of the Mediterranean island. Coastal resorts such as Protaras, Pafos and Ayia Napa became global tourist destinations thanks to their beautiful beaches and excellent tourism infrastructure.

Today, these resorts remain not only popular, but also highly regarded. The country is home to 79 Blue Flag beaches, some of which have been awarded internationally. Cyprus also consistently is at the top of the European Environment Agency’s clean water listings. It’s not a surprise that, in more recent years, we’ve also received numerous awards as a destination of sustainable tourism. As a result, tourism is such a big feature of the country that it comprises around 13% of national GDP.

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Our country was ahead of the curve when it came to environment protection. Even before we became a full member state of the EU in 2004, we’d already started carrying out studies to identify where we needed to improve our sustainability and also how we could do that. One outcome of these studies, for example, was that by 2006 some of our hotels had taken concrete steps to reduce plastic usage. That sort of initiatives wasn’t particularly widespread or popular at the time, but hoteliers in Cyprus understood why it was important.

It is worth mentioning, that nowadays sustainable development is a hot discussion topic in Cyprus, and fortunately many resorts, hotels and companies are taking actions for the environment.

Many hotels no longer serve plastic cups or bottles, for example, so guests get all of their drinks, including water in glass cups. More than 180 hotels in Cyprus are certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).. This high number shows how committed our tourism sector is to providing visitors with an experience that helps rather than hinders the country’s beautiful surroundings.

Of course, we as the Deputy Ministry of Tourism have done as much as we can to motivate and encourage that. It is essential that we connect policies with action in order to protect the natural environment. We previously announced a programme of subsidies for hotels that invest in sustainability, and recently we extended that to restaurants as well. They receive financial subsidies when investing in sustainability – such as buying a composting machine, for example. For that, we could help cover 50% of the cost of the capital investment.

Similar subsidies towards the sustainable development

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VISIT CYPRUS

and of course the digital transformation are also granted to local authorities, as we recognize them as major pillars for successful sustainable development.

Our responsibility is to use our governmental power to make one of the country’s most important sectors as green as possible through practical measures. This is why we developed the National Tourism Strategy 2030, which was underlined by the motto: “Develop Cyprus’ tourism in a sustainable way, which positively impacts our economy, our society and the environment.” It is well noted that the country’s tourism strategy is now updated to become even ‘greener’, to lead the industry towards the green transition pathway and of course the digital pathway.

It is also very important to underline, that we have recently conducted a Carrying Capacity Assessment study, which allows us to monitor the use of resources and apply measures where needed. At the same time, we pursue a holistic approach which aims at a more geographically balanced development. We try to spread the visitors throughout the year and encourage a wider geographic spread throughout the country. It’s important to us, that visitors have the chance to move around and not just stay at coastal resorts.

One example is encouraging people to explore the mountains of Cyprus. Here, visitors can experience an authentic side of Cypriot culture as they take time to see the villages and the traditional gastronomy they offer. In other words, we are investing in authenticity.

In order to promote the uniqueness of the Cypriot countryside, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism has designed a route that travels through Cyprus’ heartland areas. The route brings visitors close to Cypriot nature and gives them the opportunity to familiarize with local traditions and to experience the traditional Cypriot way of life. The route is called “Heartland of Legends” and consists of a main route, which passes through rural, mountainous and remote areas, and of several smaller thematic routes, which start or end along the main route.

The route includes not only a variety of attractions and places of natural beauty, but also accommodation SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE | 37

establishments, restaurants, small businesses and other places that offer different and alternative experiences.

Quality Hotel in the heart of Paphos OUR HOTEL FACILITIES:

Wellness Sports Bar Pools Kids Club All-Inclusive Aqua Splash

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As a Ministry we’ve never invested in changing or transforming the country’s cuisine, yet it is well regarded worldwide as some of the finest in the world. That has come out of the daily culture of Cypriot people who love to cook and eat and the country’s diverse nature that provides a wide range of ingredients.

Another thing we have invested money into, though, is the public and private infrastructure of the island. If we want visitors to move around, they need to be able to move around safely and efficiently. The roads around the island are in very good condition, benefiting communities as well as visitors. Meanwhile, research has repeatedly shown that Cyprus is one of the safest countries in the world, while the country’s infrastructure is considered also as high level.

On another note, it is worth mentioning that recently we held a congress and invited the entire tourism industry as well as local authorities to discuss the negative aspects of climate change on Cyprus. Out of events like this, and strong cooperation with the private sector, we can create the appropriate framework and encourage sustainable behaviour. Our ratings procedure for hotels gives extra points to hotels that apply eco measures to their operations, for example.

Ultimately, tourism must not only benefit the tourists but the local people too. Better tourism means also better quality of life for our citizens. This vision is only achieved via the constructive cooperation and coordinated efforts of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism with every stakeholder, government bodies, the private sector, the industry, small businesses, and every citizen really, which is why we also invest, in multiple ways, in the development of tourism awareness among locals.

As a result, the island is an ideal destination not only in general, but for special interests as well. Cyprus is an established destination for weddings, sports, conferences, religious and cultural routes, eco-tourism and much more – which means that the island has a lot to offer to any visitor. c

VISIT CYPRUS

ABOUT CYPRUS Situated at the north-eastern end of the Mediterranean basin, Cyprus is the third largest island in the region, with an area of 9,251 square kilometres (3,572 square miles).

KEY FACTS Population of Main Towns In 2021 the population of the island’s main towns is as follows: - Lefkosia (Nicosia): 351.600 (part of Lefkosia in the Government controlled area) - Lemesos (Limassol): 258.900 - Larnaka (Larnaca): 154.200 - Pafos (Paphos): 101.900 - Ammochostos (Free Famagusta) rural area: 51.500

The latitude of Cyprus is 34° 33’-35° 34’ North, and its longitude is 32° 16’ - 34° 37’ East.

Demography Population in the Republic of Cyprus: 923.272 (October 2021) Greek Cypriots (690.900) Foreign residents (193.300)

Key Infomation Capital: Language(s): Currency: Time zone: Dialling code: Tourist season: Avg. temperature: Highest point:

Nicosia Greek Euro GMT +2 +357 May - October 77 °F (Summer) 55 °F (Winter) Mount Olympos (6,404ft)

KEY ATTRACTIONS

1 Adonis Waterfall Bath

6

Golf

11 Vineyard

2 Akamas National Park

7

Hiking

12 Watersports

3 Aphordite’s Rock

8

Museums

13 Zoo / Animal Park

4 Blue Lagoon

9

Skiing

5 Diving

10 Tombs of the Kings

6

5

4 2

13 10 12

9

11

7 Mount Olympos

PAFOS 6

11 6

LEMESOS 6

6

15

11

LARNAKA

11

3

NICOSIA

LEFKOSIA

Paphos Forest

1 5

6

12

AMMOCHOSTOS 5

TRAVEL GUIDE: CYPRUS

ATTRACTIONS & EXPERIENCES Nissi Beach The most renowned beach on the island. Situated in Ayia Napa, it’s conveniently within walking distance from the town center.

Envision a gently curving shoreline adorned with golden sands, shallow waters ideal for families, and a myriad of activities to engage in— ranging from water sports to vibrant bars, restaurants, and nightlife.

For those seeking an abundance of water sports in a sheltered cove, Pissouri is the destination to explore. Along the coastline, a stroll may reveal a few secluded, rarely frequented small beaches for the more discerning sun-seekers.

For a more rugged and adventurous experience, Governor’s Beach beckons with its crystal-clear waters and a rocky coastline that invites exploration.

Amphitheatre Near the Church Bay dive site in Coral Bay, derives its name from the natural rock formation resembling an amphitheatre. Carved by the rhythmic sea currents over two millennia, this underwater marvel showcases a captivating and beautiful landscape.

Ideal location for beginners and even snorkelers. Its topography is marked by intriguing features such as holes, arches, and overhangs, adding to the overall appeal. Encounter a diverse marine life, including bream, cuttlefish, flounders and the occasional sighting of a turtle.

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Watersports On an island surrounded by crystal clear water, watersports are a popular pastime in Cyprus, offering a diverse range of activities suitable for various preferences. Licensed operators on public beaches and hotel coastlines provide on-the-spot bookings for banana boats, tube rides, pedalos, water skiing, wakeboarding, bodyboarding, SUP, parasailing, jet skiing, flyboarding, windsurfing, canoeing, and kayaking. These operators offer guidance, safety equipment, and even water sports courses for enthusiasts.

ATTRACTIONS & EXPERIENCES

Antiquity Cultural Route Embark on the Antiquity Cultural Route and unravel the historical treasures of an island steeped in the imprints of diverse visitors across ages. Tracing the footsteps of ancient ancestors, you’ll be transported to the adventures of bygone eras and heroic times. Explore a myriad of archaeological sites, from the oldest settlements to grand architectural wonders, each path unveiling the splendors of the glorious past.

Golf Internationally acclaimed courses, designed by renowned architects, blend seamlessly into picturesque areas with ravines, cliffs, and sea vistas. Ranging from luxury resorts to standalone greens, these courses host annual tournaments and offer amenities like academies and clubhouses. Cyprus stands out as an ideal location for golf enthusiasts seeking both challenge and leisure in a unique setting.

Hiking in The Troodos Mountains In the heart of Cyprus, offer a refreshing escape from the summer heat and abound with hiking possibilities.

Whether you prefer a brief morning hike or a multi-day expedition, the Troodos serve as an excellent starting point. Notable hikes include: Pano Platres to Caledonia Waterfalls.

Olympus Summit: A 7-hour hike to the summit providing breathtaking views.

Paphos Archaeological Park Also called Kato Pafos Archaeological Park.

A significant excavation site in southwest Cyprus, housing major remnants of the ancient Greek and Roman city. Located within Nea Pafos, it spans prehistoric to Middle Ages structures, including notable Roman villas like the House of Dionysos, the House of Aion, the House of Theseus, and the House of Orpheus, all featuring well-preserved mosaic floors. Other uncovered structures include an agora, asklipieion, basilica, odeion, Hellenistic-Roman theatre, and the “Tombs of the Kings” necropolis.

Pafos Zoo Connect with wildlife and get inspired from nature. Explore an exhilarating wildlife reserve and tropical haven at Pafos Zoo, where you can discover diverse animals, delve into their species, and connect with nature. Committed to the preservation of species on the island of Cyprus, Pafos Zoo combines expertise in animal care and conservation science with a dedication to inspiring a passion for learning about nature.

Blue Lagoon The Blue Lagoon stands out as the premier destination in Akamas, drawing thousands of boat visitors. The bay’s crystal-clear waters offer remarkable visibility, allowing you to see all the way to the sea bed.

The inviting and refreshing waters of the Akamas Peninsula make it an ideal spot for swimming or snorkeling, providing a captivating underwater experience with clear views for meters on end.

For more information of things to do in Cyprus go to www.visitcyprus.com SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE | 43

TRAVEL GUIDE: CYPRUS

WHERE TO VISIT The guide part of Sustainable Business Magazine’s series of travel guides. It is intended to encourage travellers, hotel tour companies, and others in the travel industry to make the sector as sustainable as possible. As such, you will find highlights not only of Cyprus’s most beautiful and interesting places to visit but also those which reflect environmentally and culturally sustainable options.

Beach holidays are what made Cyprus famous, and it remains the country’s comparative advantage over the years, because are simply wonderful. Here are some of the country’s most impressive coastlines.

PAFOS The city of Pafos is located in the southwest of the island and attracts visitors with its combination of beautiful beaches, ancient architecture, and incredible nature trails. The region is home to eight Blue Flag beaches including Coral Bay, Pachyammos Beach, and Vrysoudia Beach.

However, the region is more than just its coastline. Its history of human habitation stretches back millennia and consequently it has a rich cultural heritage. If you ever get tired of lounging on the beach, you can venture inland to visit the Kato Pafos Archaeological Park. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed ruins includes structures dating back to the 4th Century BC, but is dominated by Roman-period mosaics, monuments and tombs.

Further inland, north of the city of Pafos, are the Tombs of the Kings. Like the Archaeological Park, this site is UNESCO World Heritage-listed. Also like the Park, this necropolis dates back to the late Hellenistic and Roman period (approximately 3rd Century BC to 3rd Century AD). The Tombs of the Kings is an architectural wonder.

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Aphordite’s Rock

Pafos Harbour

Pafos has plenty of natural sites of interest as well. A popular attraction in the region is on the road to Limassol: Aphordite’s Rock.

This sea stack juts from the ocean just a few hundred metres from the coast and is, according to legend, the birthplace of the goddess of love. It’s likely this legend results from the way sea form crashes off the base of the stack – something that today makes for incredible sights and photographs. Being south-facing, it also sites in the centre of Cyprus’s beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The water here is calm enough to swim, too.

You can also, of course, simply spend time in Pafos Old Town itself. Walk the harbour and enjoy the vibrant city life, visit the market for locally produced items, or simply get lost in streets that wind between the old and modern buildings. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars dotting the lanes should you need to stop and rest.

If you want local rural culture, then the village of Kritou Terra recently became a place of interest for many tourists. It is built in the mountains of western Cyprus and is recognised for its beauty and cuisine. The Kremioti Waterfall is nearby, offering a cool and refreshing break.

For more information of things to do in Cyprus go to www.visitcyprus.com SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE | 45

TRAVEL GUIDE: CYPRUS

Troodos Geopark

Pissouri Beach

Perhaps Limassol’s most impressive natural attraction is Troodos National Forest. The park spreads over 9,000 hectares and near the centre of the island, in the far north of Limassol district. It’s a combination of natural and managed vegetation filled with recreational facilities including cafes, established hiking trails, playgrounds, picnic sites, sports areas, and even a Museum of Natural History. At the very centre of the forest is the impressive Mount Olympos, reaching more than 6,000 feet into the sky. Many species of birds and other animal life call the forest their home, thus making it an ideal place for wildlife lovers to spend time.

LIMASSOL (LEMESOS) Limassol is another popular region for tourists to Cyprus. It sits on the island’s southern coastline. By far the most famous and stunning beach in the region is Kourion Beach, another of Cyprus’s Blue Flag beaches. It is a wide white-sand beach with excellent tourist infrastructure and shallow waters, making it an ideal location for families. The location also attracts surfers and windsurfers due to the strong headwinds at the western end of the beach. Other popular beaches include Lady’s Mile Beach and Pissouri Beach, both of which offer warm, shallow, crystal blue Mediterranean waters alongside restaurants and cafes.

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Venture away from the coastline, though, and Limassol has plenty more to offer. If you’re at Limassol with the family, then you may like to spend a day at Fasouri Watermania Water Park, the country’s biggest water park attraction with more than 30 pools and rides. It has won numerous travel awards since it opened in 1999 and remains open year-round so long as weather conditions allow. The park itself is nestled into a massive citrus grove, giving an incredibly beautiful and natural backdrop to the day’s adventure.

There are two outstanding waterfalls in Limassol too. Caledonia Waterfalls is 42-foothigh fall hiding among cypress and pine trees. It is one of the highest waterfalls on the island. It is accessed by a three-kilometre trail through the trees. Meanwhile, the Millomeris Waterfalls is accessed from Platres village via a one-kilometre trail through the rich vegetation and fauna of the area. Together, these two waterfalls have made Limassol a particular attraction for people seeking the natural wonders of Cyprus.

Millomeris Waterfalls

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Larnaka Castle

Larnaca Shopping

LARNAKA: Larnaka city and the district are also great to visit. Down at the coast, is the wreck of the Swedish ship Zenobia. Since it sank in 1980, the vessel has become an attraction for leisure divers and consistently makes top ten lists of the must-see dives worldwide. There are also two other significant shipwreck diving attractions nearby as well: the Liberty 150 and the Nemesis III. An Unbroken Continuity of Culture Stroll through the streets of Larnaka and feel the pulse of history. The city’s ancient roots are visible in its architecture and the warm smiles of its people, who have witnessed the ebb and flow of different civilizations. Yet, Larnaka is no relic of the past. As a bustling European city, it offers a delightful mix of the old and the new.

A City Without Borders In Larnaka, the lines between a resort and a town blur harmoniously. Here, locals and visitors come together in a shared experience of a vibrant Mediterranean city. Whether you’re lounging on the diverse coastline or sipping coffee at a chic café, you’re part of Larnaka’s daily rhythm.

FOINIKOUDES: The Heartbeat of Larnaka The city’s lifeblood flows along Foinikoudes, a lively promenade shaded by tall palm trees and lined with a range of eateries and entertainment options.

The beach, a stretch of golden sand, is a stone’s throw away, offering a serene escape. Follow the coast to Piale Pasha, where you’ll wander past charming neighborhoods and seafood taverns, capturing the essence of coastal life.

A Shopping and Cultural Haven Larnaka’s parallel shopping street is a treasure trove of local and international brands.

Amidst this retail paradise stands the majestic Agios Lazaros Church, a testament to Larnaka’s deep religious heritage. The story of Saint Lazarus, the town’s patron saint, echoes through the city, adding a layer of mystique to your journey.

Gateway to Exploration Larnaka’s central location makes it an ideal base for exploring the rest of Cyprus. Just a short drive away, you’ll discover picturesque rural villages, famous for their unique handicrafts and warm, welcoming locals.

Larnaca Marina

A Warm Welcome Awaits In Larnaka, every visitor is treated like family. The city’s unique atmosphere, a blend of tradition and progress, offers a travel experience that is both enriching and heart-warming.

Pano Lefkara The village of Pano Lefkara is the birthplace of the special Cypriot needlecraft known as lefkaritiko.

While situated in the foothills of Troodos National Forest, it is technically in the island’s Larnaka district. Visitors come to see how the women of the village produce their fine needlecraft artwork and also the local silversmithing artisans. The UN World Tourism Organization recognised Pano Lefkara in its list of most beautiful villages in the world.

In summary, Larnaka is more than just a destination; it’s an experience. A city that has mastered the art of blending its historical significance with modern comforts, it invites you to be a part of its ongoing story. Whether you’re a history buff, a beach lover, or a cultural enthusiast, Larnaka is a city that ticks all the boxes.

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE | 47

TRAVEL GUIDE: CYPRUS Mount Olympus

Troodos Region

TROODOS REGION: Cyprus’ Verdant Paradise Welcome to the Troodos Region, the green heart of Cyprus. Here, the mountain air, infused with the scent of pine, rejuvenates the soul as you ascend into a world of natural beauty and cultural richness.

A Tapestry of Nature and Tradition The Troodos mountains offer a picturesque landscape of dense forests, serene valleys, and lush orchards. As you navigate the winding mountain roads, each turn reveals a new vista and a traditional village, each with its unique charm and history.

Troodos Region

Villages of Craft and Culture These villages are a mosaic of Cypriot culture. Some are renowned for centuries-old viticulture, producing exquisite wines that capture the essence of the region. Others are celebrated for their folk-art traditions, ranging from delicate lace and fine silverwork to earthy pottery and intricate basket weaving. Agricultural villages add to this diversity, each known for a particular fruit, while others nestle near waterfalls and springs, offering refreshing natural retreats.

Mount Olympus: A Peak of Wonder Standing proudly at 1,952 meters above sea level is Mount Olympus, the pinnacle of the Troodos range. In winter, its snowy slopes become a haven for skiing enthusiasts. Throughout the year, the mountain and its surroundings invite exploration, whether on foot, by bicycle, or through nature trails that meander through woods and over rocky terrains.

A Spiritual Journey Through Time Troodos is not just a natural wonder but also a spiritual treasure. The region is dotted with ten UNESCO World Heritage Site Byzantine Churches, along with numerous monasteries and chapels. These religious sites are adorned with ancient frescoes, each telling stories of saints and illustrating the island’s deep Christian heritage through unique architectural styles.

A Different Cyprus Experience Whether you seek a retreat from the warm beaches, a journey into the heart of Cyprus’ flora and fauna, or a voyage back in time to discover age-old customs and traditions, the Troodos Region offers a refreshingly different experience. Its blend of natural beauty and rich cultural tapestry makes it a must-visit destination for those looking to explore the less-traveled paths of Cyprus.

In Troodos, every step is a discovery, and every sight a memory in the making. This region invites you to immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature, the warmth of village life, and the layers of history that make Cyprus a truly unique destination.

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AYIA NAPA: There are plenty of attractions scattered throughout the rest of the island as well.

Ayia Napa, on the east coast, is famous for its nightlife of course, but it has plenty of other attractions as well. Nearby Cape Greco, for example, is a rocky peninsula with stunning blue waters and incredibly diverse flora along its hinterland. It’s also recognised for its important bird species because of its location as a key stopping point for migratory raptors including falcons and buzzards.

A Natural and Mythical Wonder Embark on an enchanting journey to Ayia Napa, where nature’s artistry meets mythical allure. This picturesque corner of Cyprus offers a medley of experiences, from serene nature trails to thrilling aquatic adventures.

Nature Trails: A Trekker’s Paradise The heart of Ayia Napa’s natural beauty lies in its extensive network of nature trails. Wander through paths lined with fragrant pine trees and a kaleidoscope of botanical wonders. As you trek, pause to absorb the awe-inspiring views from the majestic sea cliffs, overlooking the azure Mediterranean Sea. Strategically placed benches offer serene spots to reflect and appreciate the tranquil beauty.

Among these trails is a segment of the European Long Distance Trail E4, an epic journey stretching from Cyprus to Gibraltar. Another highlight is the Aphrodite Nature Trail, a 2 km path along the North-East coast of Cape Greko. This trail is not only a natural wonder but also a cultural route, celebrating the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite.

Cultural Touchpoints: Churches and Caves Visit the charming, whitewashed church of Agoi Anargyroi, a peaceful sanctuary with steps leading down to the sea, where holy water flows. Nearby, explore the enigmatic ‘Cyclops’ cave, complemented by a convenient picnic site for a delightful outdoor meal.

Cycling Adventures For cycling enthusiasts, Ayia Napa is a paradise. The region boasts a network of specially designed cycling paths, set against the backdrop of Cyprus’s ideal climate – minimal rainfall and gentle breezes.

These paths offer a unique way to explore the area’s natural and cultural landmarks.

Limestone Cliffs and Cave Explorations The coastline of Ayia Napa is adorned with 30-ft high limestone cliffs, punctuated by natural caves formed over millennia. A boat trip along the coast reveals these majestic formations, known as the ‘Palaces’, in their full glory – a sight that is striking and humbling.

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TRAVEL GUIDE: CYPRUS

Ayia Napa

Diving into the Blue Cape Greko is a haven for divers, boasting warm sea temperatures ranging from 16°C to 28°C and underwater visibility extending up to 40 meters. This clarity, combined with the captivating marine life and stunning underwater scenery, makes it a favorite among diving enthusiasts.

Ayia Napa Harbour: A Vibrant Coastal Gem Nestled in the charming town of Ayia Napa, the Ayia Napa Harbour stands as a testament to the town’s transformation from a quaint fishing bay to a bustling, modern marina. This harbor, alongside the Medieval Monastery and Cape Greco, forms the crown jewels of Ayia Napa.

Ayia Napa: Where Nature and Myth Intertwine In Ayia Napa, every step is an adventure, and every view is a postcard waiting to be captured. Whether you’re trekking along historic trails, cycling through scenic routes, or diving into the crystal-clear waters, Ayia Napa promises an experience that is both exhilarating and serene. So pack your spirit of adventure and set off for this Cypriot gem, where the wonders of nature and the whispers of mythology await your discovery.

From Humble Beginnings to a Bustling Marina Once a modest bay dotted with fishing boats, the Ayia Napa Harbour began its journey to prominence in the early 1970s with the construction of its first breakwater.

Today, it stands proudly renovated, boasting a diverse fleet of fishing boats, speedboats, sailboats, and majestic cruise ships.

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A Stroll Through Beauty and Leisure The harbor area is a pedestrian paradise,

with well-designed lanes leading to twin lighthouses, framing the marina in a picturesque embrace. The vibrant colors of the area, with its open-air theater, playful fountains, cozy cafes, and an array of fish taverns and restaurants, create a lively yet serene ambiance. The entire setting is an enchanting blend of traditional charm and contemporary elegance, rightfully earning its place among Cyprus’ most scenic harbors.

Makronissos and Mikri Makronissos: Beaches of Serenity A short 5-kilometer journey from the center of Ayia Napa takes you to the serene Makronissos beach. This golden sandy beach, embraced by gentle waves, is a haven for beach lovers. Formed by a series of small bays, each extending in different directions, Makronissos offers a unique beach experience.

Natura 2000: A Protected Paradise The Southwestern part of Makronissos beach lies within the Natura 2000 SPA network, highlighting its ecological significance. This area promises an untouched natural beauty, perfect for those seeking tranquility amidst nature.

Amenities and Explorations With available accommodation facilities, restaurants, and a kiosk, Makronissos ensures a comfortable and enjoyable visit. History enthusiasts can explore the nearby Necropolis of Makronissos, and those seeking more beach experiences can wander Eastwards to Vathia Yonia beach or Westwards towards Ayia Thekla beach.

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Ayia Napa Harbour and Makronissos: A Blend of Urban and Natural Beauty Ayia Napa Harbour, with its lively marina and picturesque surroundings, together with the serene beauty of Makronissos beach, offers a perfect blend of urban sophistication and natural splendor. Whether you’re seeking a leisurely stroll by the sea, a culinary adventure, or a peaceful day on a pristine beach, these destinations in Ayia Napa promise a memorable experience, capturing the essence of Cyprus’ coastal charm.

Protaras Beach

Relax

CAP ST GEORGES HOTEL & RESORT Nestled on the periphery of Akamas National Park in Paphos, Cyprus, the five-star Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort occupies an environmentally conscious setting with a stunning natural seafront, enveloped by sustainable olive groves. Serving as a sanctuary for families, leisure enthusiasts, and business travelers, the resort provides an array of eco-friendly amenities, including a 130-meter natural beach, multiple tranquil pools, and an outdoor playground for young guests. The resort features 10 themed restaurants and bars, showcasing culinary delights such as Japanese Teppanyaki, Italian, and Mediterranean flavors.

The exclusive Cleopatra Spa prioritizes sustainability, offering luxury branded products and personalized therapies, complemented by a fully equipped gym. Engage in eco-conscious activities like horseback riding, fruit and olive picking, or honey harvesting or experience the Unique Quiet Zone for those extra Zen Vibes. Unforgettable, and Eco-Friendly Sustainable Experiences at Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort. For more information, please visit www. capstgeorges.com or consult your Preferred Travel Agent.

PROTARAS: Protaras, a beautiful family resort, famous for its beautiful and internationally awarded beaches and of course the one and only fig tree bay. The resort is located in the eastern side of the island, just a few minutes drive from its twin resort of Ayia Napa and the city of Paralimni.

Paralimni: A Blend of Timelessness and Modernity Paralimni, the heart of the area, skillfully balances the allure of a traditional Cypriot village with the amenities of a modern town.

Stroll through the town center and feel the timeless aura that permeates the air, a testament to its rich history and enduring charm.

The Sunrise Gateway of Cyprus Welcome to Protaras-Paralimni, a captivating destination situated on the southeastern edge of Cyprus, where the first European sunrise greets you with its warm embrace. This region, a blend of traditional charm and contemporary comforts, invites you on a journey through its picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

Protaras: A Coastal Jewel Stretching along the eastern coast, the tourist area of Protaras extends for 10 km, from the district of Kapparis to Konnos.

This region is adorned with hundreds of quaint windmills, adding a serene beauty to its landscape. The coast is famed for its crystal-clear waters and exceptional beaches, most awarded the prestigious Blue Flag status for their pristine conditions.

Protaras Golden Coast Beach

Fig Tree Bay: A Celebrated Beach Fig Tree Bay stands out with its clear waters and golden sand. Recognized among Europe’s best beaches on Trip Advisor and holding the Blue Flag and Green Beach accolades, it offers excellent facilities, including water sports, disabled access, and lifeguard services.

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TRAVEL GUIDE: CYPRUS scenic trails, this corner of Cyprus invites you to discover its many wonders.

Protaras

NICOSIA In the northern part of the island is Nicosia, the country’s capital. Since the Turkish invasion of 1974, the capital city of Nicosia is divided, making it the world’s last divided capital. Nicosia is a true walking city, with its streets bordered by old Venetian-era buildings alongside contemporary high rises. There are plenty of museums and public galleries as well as restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels and other leisure facilities. And if you want to take in the place as a whole in one fell swoop, you can head to the top of Shacolas Tower, which has an observatory on its 11th floor looking out over the city.

Protaras

Fig Tree Bay: A Historic & Natural Wonder Fig Tree Bay, the crown jewel of Protaras’ coast, is renowned for its fine golden sand and transparent waters. Named after a solitary fig tree, a silent witness to the area’s history since the 17th century, this bay is not just a beach but a slice of history. The recently uncovered Hellenistic tombs near the headland add a touch of antiquity to your beach experience.

Exploring the Promenades and Harbors The lengthy seaside promenade of Protaras is perfect for leisurely strolls or bicycle rides at sunset. Visit the charming harbors of Agia Triada and Agios Nicolaos, each offering unique scenic views and a tranquil atmosphere. The area is also rife with nature trails and cycling paths, where you can discover rare flora and fauna and stumble upon hidden orthodox chapels like Agioi Saranta and Agios Ioannis.

An Ascent to Breathtaking Views Climb the 153 steps leading to the chapel of Profitis Elias and be rewarded with panoramic views of Protaras, a sight that will leave you in awe.

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Nicosia City LibertyMonument

Accommodation and Entertainment Protaras caters to every need with its array of hotels, self-catering apartments, diverse restaurants, taverns, pubs, and clubs. Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, explore underwater wonders, or immerse yourself in the local culture by visiting Ayia Anna church and the Traditional House, Protaras offers a world of choices.

Agios Nicolaos Fishing Shelter Discover the scenic harbor of Agios Nicolaos in Pernera, overlooked by a charming chapel. It’s a perfect spot to relax, enjoy a coffee, and watch the sunset paint the sea and boats in golden hues.

Kapparis Beach: A Local Favorite Kapparis beach, a gem north of Protaras, is a haven for those seeking a quieter beach experience. With clear waters, golden sand, and Blue Flag status, it’s a delightful retreat away from the busier tourist spots.

Protaras-Paralimni In Protaras-Paralimni, every moment is an opportunity to create lasting memories. From the historic sites to the stunning beaches and

This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Cyprus. Visitors will find plenty more to explore and, crucially, they can do so in the knowledge that the country’s Deputy Ministry of Tourism is setting the sector in the direction of eco-friendliness, sustainability and digital transition.

Furthermore, visitors should be aware of the fact that accommodation facilities in the occupied part of Cyprus have been built illegally on properties belonging to displaced Greek Cypriots, in violation of the latter’s property rights and without their consent. Staying in Greek Cypriot owned hotels or in hotels which have been built on Greek Cypriot property without the consent of the owners, is illegal and contributes and/ or assists in the illegal exploitation/usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties contrary to domestic and/or International Law.

For more information visit visitcyprus.com

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