Keeping everything sustainable: Six Senses development in Portugal
Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site means all of the region’s stakeholders fulfil their duty to safeguard its 3,500 plant species. At Six Senses Douro Valley, we are deeply committed to this responsibility and have pledged to maintain our natural environment, as well as conserve and restore the property’s magnificent forest and historical gardens. Our entire team is dedicated to reducing any adverse effects and promoting positive results across our operations, from sourcing local cuisine to minimizing energy consumption and effectively managing waste. With this in mind, we want to raise awareness and motivate others to be the change they want to see. Therefore, we warmly invite you to visit our Earth Lab, where you can get involved with some of our sustainability initiatives, and gain closer insights into the projects supported by our Sustainability Fund.
Environmental Responsibility
Together with our hosts, we are firmly committed to reducing our carbon footprint and improving the ecological value of activities associated with our resort and spa operations.
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Donkey Conservation
APEGA, the Associação para o Estudo e Proteção do Gado Asinino, is an NGO dedicated to the conservation and care of the Miranda donkey; a gentle, native breed once on the brink of extinction. Thanks to over two decades of committed work, the population has now grown to around 1,500 animals across Portugal.
APEGA operates through three centers and their team continue to travel nationwide to support other donkey breeders.
In 2024, our partnership continued to support this essential work, helping to ensure the well-being, veterinary care, and shelter of this endangered breed. It also contributed to education and outreach efforts, keeping the Miranda donkey’s story alive for future generations.
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River and Ecosystem
By adopting a 1,640-foot (500-meter) stretch of the riverbank we became its guardians, committing to monitor and create suitable conditions for the existing fauna and flora.
This citizen-science based project allows everyone to take part in monitoring streams across the Iberian Peninsula. It also raises awareness about key issues in nature preservation. As part of this project, we removed 287 kilograms of trash from the environment with the help of our hosts and volunteers in 2024.
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Community Forest
The Forest Restoration Project is a true labor of love and commitment. We take pride in nurturing this island of trees amongst the vineyards. It’s a home for fungi, insects, mammals, and birds. It also helps soil fertility and creates a place for everyone to enjoy.
We’ve teamed up with Associação BioLiving to protect this Historic Garden of Portugal, not just for today, but for future generations.
Since 2022, we’ve identified 538 species, including 448 that are native, and discovered 38 microhabitats. We also welcomed 125 green giants, which are ancient trees averaging 235 centimeters in circumference. These trees quietly store over 13 tons of CO₂ and help the forest soak up more than 16,000 liters of water from the soil every year. And it doesn’t stop there. From holly and yew to the marbled newt, 34 species of high conservation value call this forest home.
Environmental hospitality means more than just protecting nature. It’s about helping it thrive.
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Stray Animals
We partner with three organizations that help mistreated or abandoned cats and dogs. They also manage the social and environmental issues related to stray animals. We support volunteers through GPAR (Grupo de Proteção de Animais da Régua) and ASPA (Associação de Salvamento e Proteção Animal). They care for stray animals by offering medical treatments and sterilization to control stray populations. We work with Santuário Animal Vida Boa to raise awareness among young people. Our focus is on responsible pet ownership and best practices for animal welfare. We also support their animal sanctuary. By reducing stray animal populations, we improve the quality of life for those rescued and still on the street. Additionally, we support the communities where these animals live.
We helped treat and provide medical support for 70 stray or abandoned cats and dogs in 2024 through GPAR and ASPA. In 2024, we provided warmth and healing to 145 animals in need through Santuário Animal Vida Boa.
Social Responsibility
The hotel's Sustainability Fund supports projects that promote the well-being and health of the community, local education, and inclusivity across the region. Our ‘Families at Risk’ project encompasses multiple areas of social inclusivity and improves opportunities for both young people and the elderly. Through this project we support multiple organizations addressing the following topics.
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Inclusivity in sport and recreation
We support Os Afonsinhos Futsal School, a unique initiative that intertwines educational values with athletic pursuits and inclusivity. Originating from Resende, the squad offers a beacon of opportunity for disadvantaged youths, fostering their involvement in sports while simultaneously promoting academic growth and personal development. In 2024, we helped improve their gym facilities, purchased sports shoes for disadvantaged young people, and sourced new computers for the study room, supporting 100 children in total - doubling the impact from the previous year.
In partnership with O Baguinho, in 2024 we funded the renovation of a playground in Peso da Régua, making it a safer and more suitable space for outdoor activities, in addition to a multifunctional indoor area for educational activities.
We also helped the Associação Voluntária de Lamego, a table tennis club, let members join free of charge. We provided equipment focused on sustainability, like a water station, to cut down on single-use plastic. In 2024, the club welcomed 40 participants to inclusive table tennis classes, with access for all.
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Supporting equal access to education
The Bagos D’Ouro Association, founded in 2010, helps educate children and youth from low-income backgrounds in the Douro region. The organization helps vulnerable communities, supporting children and youth in discovering their academic potential and ability to grow. To date, it has supported over 200 children.
In the 2023-2024 school year, our partnership continued. We provided essential school materials and joined the ‘Take Action’ program. This included setting up medical appointments with opticians and dentists. We also expanded into environmental education and biodiversity awareness with BioLiving.
We supported Associação Os Baguinho to improve learning for disadvantaged children. This helps create more inclusive and supportive educational environments across the region.
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Healthcare & supporting the elderly
We support the Centro Paroquial de Cambres, a home for the elderly rooted in community care. In 2024, we shifted our focus. We moved from upgrading infrastructure to social services and community activities. This change helped us support 70 vulnerable individuals each day, providing them with meaningful engagement.
We also support Casa do Povo de Godim by contributing to essential medical, hygiene, and food supplies. In 2024, the program grew to include cultural and wellness initiatives, directly benefiting 50 elderly people in the region.
We teamed up with A2000 to create Peso da Régua’s first multifunctional sensory room. This space is designed to support elderly people and those with motor or cognitive disabilities. In 2024, we focused on integrating people with disabilities. We offered development programs and psychological support to continue to help more community members.
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Housing and food security
We support Just a Change, an organization committed to fixing homes that are in poor condition. Many families still lack essentials like windows, hot water, and electricity. This makes it hard to escape the cycle of poverty. In 2024, we continued our support to rebuild and improve homes. This helped ensure safer and more dignified living conditions for those in need.
We also partner with Refood - Vila Real. Their mission is to cut food waste by giving surplus food to vulnerable communities. In 2024, the initiative directly helped 70 families. It provided regular access to nutritious meals through food recovery. This simple, circular solution supports both people and the planet.
