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Carbon Sense fund
As Six Senses considers a carbon scope beyond our operation energy used at resorts only
counts for 12% of Six Senses emissions. For this reason, a Carbon Sense Fund has been
established to mitigate emissions that cannot be controlled, such as guest flights. It was
varies from 2% of room rates to 2.5% of total revenue depending on property. This capital is
then invested into our carbon mitigation projects not directly on Six Senses resorts through
The SLOW LIFE Trust. The fund gives us the ability to mitigate the carbon emissions we
cannot control, such as those incurred through air travel. Through The SLOW LIFE Trust we
are trying to find the most effective ways of balancing our unavoidable carbon emissions
focussing on clean energy, biodiversity and social impact.
Clean Energy
A variety of clean energy options such as wind turbines, cooking-stoves, water purification,
biochar and solar is being considered for carbon mitigation purposes. Already, a Wind
Turbine Project to provide clean energy has been established in Tamil Nadu, India. A 1.5
Mega Watt (MW) Suzlon wind turbine has been built. Not only will this mitigate 70,000 ton
carbon over a 20 year period through the production of 80,000 MW clean electricity, but
also propel other wind turbines to be built and support local communities and create
additional 30,000 ton carbon reductions. A portion of revenue generated from electricity
sale to the grid is invested in other wind turbines. In addition, a portion of revenue will be
donated to local community projects to support climate change adaptation and projects that
help to break the poverty cycle. The Six Senses Wind Turbine is run by The Converging
World, a registered UK charity. For the local community projects they cooperate with SCAD,
a registered Indian NGO.
Biodiversity
Reforestation
2011 is the international year of the forest, and Six Senses is working with the PATT
Foundation to make this year really live up to its name. Six Senses is aiming to establish a
large reforestation project linked to existing forest areas. 200,000 trees covering 180 acres in
Northern Thailand will be planted annually. Not only will this mitigate 180,000 ton carbon,
but it will create wildlife corridors, prevent erosion, restore biodiversity and generate local
jobs. This project is hoping to be the first carbon accredited reforestation project in Thailand
through the Carbon Fix Standard, and will be one of Asia's biggest. The new planted forest
will provide a sanctuary for rescued and endangered animals, and its management will be
carried out local people to provide income and support for their communities.
The year of the Forest
The joint reforestation project being carried out by Six Senses and the PATT Foundation is
located in Northern Thailand and will be one Asia's largest and most ambitious. The goals of
the project are twofold, to mitigate carbon emissions, improve biodiversity and to provide
support for the local economy, communities and wildlife. The proposed site will eventually
be a haven for animals rescued from trafficking and neighbouring countries, where they
were 'farmed' for traditional medicines. Tigers, bears, gibbons and many other species will
be given a home in a diverse sanctuary in northern Thailand.
Social Inclusion
Six Senses recognises the need to involve and include the local communities on who's
shoulders the long term success of the project rests. The ongoing management of the forest,
which follows the principle of natural seed distribution, will require the input of local people.
Initially 30 species of indigenous tree will be planted, who’s seeds will be collected, grown
and replanted by locals. Over time and with support, native bird species will begin to
distribute seeds naturally, which could mean an ecosystem supporting up to 90 species of
tree and vast rich ecology. The protection and continuation of this project is intertwined
with the local people who will support it. |
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