The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands has announced its achievement of the Forbes VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality badge, awarded to properties that uphold over 100 stringent standards designed to protect the environment and support the well-being of employees, guests, and local communities. This recognition reflects the resort’s unwavering commitment to sustainable practices and responsible hospitality.

In a stellar year for recognition, the resort has also achieved the Green Globe Certification, a prestigious accolade that underscores its dedication to minimizing environmental impact, promoting sustainable tourism, and creating a sustainable environment for future generations. Achieving the Green Globe Certification involves a rigorous process that requires adherence to strict criteria across energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and social and cultural sustainability. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives,

Fari Islands has successfully demonstrated its commitment to quality and excellence through a recent evaluation across a comprehensive set of compliance indicators. Renato de Oliveira, General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, stated, “We are incredibly proud to receive both the Forbes VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality badge and the Green Globe Certification, reflecting our tireless commitment to sustainable hospitality and dedication to the protection of our natural world. This recognition is a testament to the efforts of our entire team, our Ladies and Gentlemen, in creating exceptional guest experiences with respect for the environment at our core. And of course we will continue to innovate to ensure our environmental footprint is light and fruitful for the planet and our community.”

A FOUNDATION OF RESPECT

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands was meticulously designed with respect for the area’s fragile ecosystem. Prior to construction on an existing sandbank, marine experts conducted extensive studies to ensure minimal impact on coral reefs and marine spawning. Sustainable construction materials, such as PEFC-certified timber from responsibly managed forests in Europe, were used, allowing the resort to earn PEFC Project Certification. The developers also achieved EDGE certification, leading to the Maldives’ first green loan.

NATURAL BEAUTY

Land: The resort landscape features thousands of adopted trees and carefully selected native plants to prevent forest degradation and the negative impacts of importation. Among these is a 100-foot-tall Banyan tree in the Mystique Garden, dedicated to the resort’s late architect Kerry Hill. Acres of white sand stretch toward the blue lagoon, serving as a sanctuary for crabs, birds, and sea turtles.

Sea: Encompassing 99% ocean, the Maldives is a vibrant underwater world. The resort island is encircled by a lively coral reef that shelters lobsters, fish, rays, and sea turtles. Preserving the reef and marine life remains a priority, with over 105 coral frames planted since the project’s inception and 28 frames planted in 2024 alone. The resort’s coral regeneration initiative has created abundant nursery frames and new habitats for ocean life.

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

Energy: The resort harnesses solar and sustainable energy, contributing approximately 20% of its total electricity needs. In 2024, rooftop solar panel systems were installed on all guest villas, and the installation of a floating solar garden began, which is expected to add 1,400 kWp to the grid by 2025. Each villa is equipped with a smart energy-saving management system, while hot water pumps utilize ambient thermal energy.

Culinary Consciousness: The resort’s seven dining venues prioritize locally sourced ingredients, offering an extensive selection of plant-based options and 100% cage- and crate-free eggs and meat. Daily food waste, approximately 726 kg, is composted for the resort gardens. Additionally, the culinary and bar teams embrace a zero-waste approach, creating chutneys and coffee scrubs, along with various other initiatives to minimize waste.

Water: Still and sparkling water is purified at the resort’s dedicated plant using filters from Nordaq, eliminating the need for plastic bottles. Greywater is treated and reused for landscaping.

Plastic Use: The resort has committed to banning single-use plastics, implementing reusable water bottles, bamboo-based serving ware, and crystal amenity jars. Its garden and desalination plant also contribute to reducing plastic imports.

PARTNERSHIPS AND PROGRAMS

Drone Research: The resort has implemented an advanced ocean plastics monitoring program using drones, developed in partnership with Dr. Melissa Schiele. In 2024, the program has completed 50 drone flights, identifying critical plastic debris, including eleven ghost nets weighing approximately 418 kg. These ghost nets pose a significant threat to marine life, as they can ensnare and kill creatures. By removing them, we help
prevent these tragic incidents and protect the ocean ecosystem.

Jean-Michel Cousteau Ambassadors of the Environment Program: This program continues to provide guest experiences focused on environmental preservation in collaboration with the renowned oceanographic explorer. This year, he visited the resort again to further educate students from Villa College and the Maldives National University, as well as the resort’s Naturalists. His ongoing presence inspires both guests and Ladies and Gentlemen alike, reinforcing the importance of environmental stewardship.

Saad Amer as Sustainability Champion: This year, Saad Amer, recognized as a Climate Activist and a member of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for social impact, visited The Ritz-Carlton Maldives to curate meaningful guest experiences. His session, titled “A Thought Experiment: How to Save Our Planet,” engaged both guests and the local community, where he shared valuable insights on the impacts of climate change. During his visit, he connected with students from Maldives National University and Villa College to discuss future initiatives. Additionally, he led an interactive activity with the resort’s younger guests, inspiring them to become “Climate Kids” and fostering a sense of environmental stewardship from an early age.

Community Footprints: The resort engages with local schools through educational excursions, promoting ocean conservation awareness. In 2024, eight educational excursions took place, including visits to Dhiffushi, Thulusdhoo, Gaafaru and Huraa. A notable initiative this year was a recycling competition held with students from Dhiffushi, where the winning teams were awarded a visit to The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands for a special lunch with the resort’s Naturalist. During this experience, they learned about coral restoration efforts.

The Ritz-Carlton Spa: Showcasing a commitment to sustainable living, The Ritz-Carlton Spa features an organic body and skincare collection by Bamford. In 2024, dedicated Ladies and Gentlemen at the spa have innovatively transformed coffee grounds into sustainable body scrubs for in-house guests, highlighting ongoing dedication to environmentally friendly practices and wellness initiatives.

As part of their ongoing commitment to sustainability, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands will soon launch a Coral Adoption Project, enabling guests to contribute to initiatives aligned with the resort’s Community Footprints philosophy. Additionally, the resort is excited to introduce a new package featuring Saad Amer, the Sustainability Champion of the resort. This package will include educational and inspiring activities designed to deepen guests’ understanding of the local climate and promote support for the surrounding community, ensuring that their holiday experience is both enriching and impactful.