World’s Leading Luxury Green Resort, Sani Resort, honours Earth Day with the launch of New Sustainability Initiatives for 2024

Earth Day Initiatives at Sani Resort

Sani Resort, celebrates Earth Day by announcing its recent sustainability successes and new sustainability initiatives for 2024, all part of its well-established and multi-awarded ‘Sani Green’ programme. Sani Resort is the first certified carbon-neutral resort in Greece since 2020 that is powered by 100% renewable electricity (with guarantees of origin) with a triple zero goal to be zero single-use plastic and zero waste to landfill in 2024 and zero carbon by 2030. Sani Green is focused on improving Sani’s sustainability performance, from energy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources to water conservation and sustainable procurement. Each Sani Green initiative is supported by well-defined policies and measurable targets, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Set in a majestic 1,000 acres of an eco-reserve, Sani Resort sits at the intersection of three beautiful, natural worlds: 7km of Blue-flagged sandy beaches, 20 km of the Sani Forest and 270 acres of the Sani wetlands, encouraging guests to reconnect with nature within a sustainable mini self-contained world. Honouring its unique location and rare natural landscape, Sani is deeply committed to preserving this environment and its rich mix of wildlife, as well as supporting the local community.

With a series of new initiatives and a well-established network of experts, Sani’s ongoing dedicated sustainable credentials ensure the resort is at the forefront of sustainable development in the hotel industry and their pledge to triple zero is well in sight.

Sustainability Success at Sani through the Sani Green Programme

Awarded the World’s Leading Luxury Green Resort for the fourth consecutive year and the World’s Leading Sustainable Resort for the first year at the World Travel Awards 2023, Sani is leading the way for sustainability in hospitality across the world. During 2023 Sani recycled 323tn of materials, composted 100% of green waste produced and eliminated all single-use plastic used front-of-house, including single-use amenities and plastic bottles. 100% of the wastewater is also recycled and used for irrigation purposes. An ambitious triple zero goal has been set - to be net zero by 2030, and zero single-use plastic and zero waste by the end of 2024. In 2024, to achieve its energy conservation target, Sani applied extensive submetering across the resort to monitor and manage energy consumption real time. Over 60% of Sani’s produce comes from within 100mi of the resort, with in-resort botanical gardens supporting a farm-to-table approach at the restaurants for local herbs. Sani’s food and wine range, Land of Grace, produced by local artisans, is available – with all profits donated to local food banks serving vulnerable communities. Guests can immerse in nature through guided complimentary eco-activities: Birdwatching at the Sani Wetlands, a forest walk providing information about local flora and fauna, an immersion into the work of bees at the Sani Bee Spot and a trip dedicated to the famous Halkidiki olive, through the Olive Trip experience. Home to 225 bird species (a total of 456 found in Greece), the birdwatching tours in the Sani Wetlands have seen a fourfold increase in participation in the last three years. Since 2019, over 12,000 guests have taken part in a Sani eco-excursion. More than 23,000 guests have participated in the Eco Trips since they launched ten years ago with close to 3,500 participants only in the last year. Sani continues to support various biodiversity projects, as well as over 40 organisations (such as schools, hospitals and refugee shelters) and provides scholarships and awards for various purposes, such as startups fighting plastic pollution, initiatives that support sustainable farming or youth wanting to pursue a career in the hospitality industry.

Read the latest Sustainability Report here

Special Green Initiatives for 2024

Assessing the carbon storage capacity of the Sani Forest Ecosystem in collaboration with the Forest Research Institute, as well as implementing measures to enhance the biodiversity and natural regeneration of the ecosystem

In collaboration with the Forest Research Institute, Sani Resort has developed a range of research projects aiming to both assess the carbon sink capacity of the Sani Forest, as well as monitor its health and biodiversity. The positive impact of Sani’s ecosystem is monitored through installed technology and field visits by experts, to understand the carbon storage potential of the coastal Aleppo pine forest of Sani’s surroundings and how it can be further bolstered.

At the same time, the Forest Research Institute’s experts are carrying out work to protect and enhance the biodiversity and natural regeneration of Sani’s Forest ecosystem. Sani has built a long-term monitoring network of the presence of insects, birds and small wild animals to monitor the regeneration of the forest and apply measures to sustainably manage it. Part of the project includes harvesting native pinecone seeds and cultivating trees in a nursery to plant in areas of the forest that are not regenerating as strongly. Sani has created the Sani Environmental Observatory in the Sani Forest (a LTER site) devoted to long-term ecosystem research. Guests can see it in real-time and learn more about the project while taking part in the incredible eco-trips offered by Sani Resort.

Sani Resort has also introduced a three-year opt-out one-euro donation programme in collaboration with the Forest Research Institute to fundraise for the forest. Last year, Sani Resort guests raised €25,000 for the protection and preservation of Sani Forest and Sani Wetlands. This amount was then more than matched by Sani.

Watch a video about the Sani Forest project here

Thermaikos Dolphin Project in collaboration with non-profit iSea

In 2024, the resort will further enhance the ‘Thermaikos Dolphin Project’ that launched two years ago in collaboration with marine protection non-profit, iSea, and includes a range of research surveys, educational activities for little guests, photography exhibitions at Sani and the study of performance in Dolphin ID for people on the autism spectrum. The project catalogues and maps the resident dolphins of the Halkidiki area for the first time and drives future conservation measures to protect these animals. The research effort is complemented by a resident marine scientist who will be on-site at Sani Resort, as well as new hands-on educational activities at Sani Resort Kids Clubs, aimed to inspire the next generation and provide valuable knowledge on the importance of preserving the aquatic ecosystems and the biodiversity they host.

The Largest Bee Spot in Greece

Sani celebrates the role of the most important pollinator through the largest Bee Spot in Greece that it has created in partnership with the non-profit Bee Camp. A range of bee-dwelling stations offer opportunities such as glimpsing into the evolution of a solitary bee egg, observing bees at work and learning more about their critical work. Sani has crafted specially designed educational activities for kids at the Bee Spot and at the kid’s clubs, enabling kids t to learn about pollinators while having fun. In 2023 over 1,000 guests took part in the Bee Spot eco-trip while all kids at the kid’s clubs were able to partake in the educational programme.

Share More Waste Less Donation Initiative for Guests

Sani Resort has launched the new donation initiative “Share More, Waste Less”. Through this project, Sani invites guests as they are packing to return home to leave one or more unwanted items behind, such as clothes, shoes, inflatables or toys in the designated in-room donation basket, before checking out, to be donated to a new home or recycled, assisting vulnerable people in Greece. Since its pilot launch, Sani already collected 195 kg of items for donation to the most vulnerable.

Introducing Water Refilling Stations

Sani is introducing 16 new water refilling stations this season for guests to refill their own water bottles or purchase a stylish Sani thermos bottle at the hotel markets, in order to keep hydrated on the go while cutting down on waste.

Introducing leading AI technology for food waste management

Sani, following a pilot year, is extending Sani’s application of zero-waste AI technology in collaboration with WINNOW, a leader in food waste AI management solutions. This is part of the drive to further reduce food waste across buffet restaurants and meet the zero-waste to landfill goal.

Electric Mobility and the Sani Solar Tree

The resort is powered by 100% renewable electricity, with all club cars being electric and all resort cars being hybrid-electric. Sani has placed electric car charging stations in the car park while guests can also charge their devices through solar energy at the Sani Solar Tree located at the heart of Sani Resort at the Sani Marina.

Guided Eco-Trips at Sani

Sani invites guests to immerse in nature through the following complimentary guided eco-activities:

Birdwatching: Guests can discover an amazing array of birds on a tour of the Sani Wetlands, home to almost half of the bird species found in Greece. Expert eco-guides take them on an amazing 2,5km trail - a complimentary walk offered twice a week.

The Wetlands Experience: A magnificent 3-hour walk (approx. 9 km), across the wetlands, in the Mediterranean. Guests have the chance to cross the forest of Bousoulas, get info about the ecosystems, the fauna and flora species, and the cultivations, overpass the 2 lakes of Sani (Lake Stavronikita & Lake Gerani) and learn about the sustainability programme of Sani Resort.
The Bee Spot: Guests learn about the life cycle of solitary bees in an innovative bee-friendly garden, where seven carefully designed stations provide unique insights into the biology of wild bees, as well as real-life examples of local bee species.
The Olive Trip: Guests learn about olives and the different olive oil varieties. They discover the importance of olives in Greek culture and tradition, from the cultivation of olive trees to their produce. Finally, they plant an olive tree and take part in Sani’s first olive grove.
The Forest View Walk: During this excursion, guests experience the breathtaking Bousoulas forest paths, get information about the different ecosystems that make Sani unique, the fauna and flora species and enjoy a 3km walk in the unique Aleppo pine Sani Forest with incredible views over the Aegean.

Specially designed eco-activities for kids

Little guests take part in a series of eco-activities specially designed for kids and teenagers by Sani’s Kids Clubs and in collaboration with local NGOs. These eco-activities for ages 4-17 are designed to get kids to explore the nature of Sani, become involved in its protection and participate in fun and learning outdoor activities. Through an array of activities, kids and teenagers learn about the local ecosystem via recycling, planting, gardening, beach activities, birdwatching, wildlife exploring, olive picking, herbs sensory games and forest exploring. From becoming eco-warriors to making art through recyclable materials and creating storytelling through eco resources, kids at Sani are having fun while learning.

The Sani Outdoor Libraries in the Local Community

Sani Resort has also partnered with Network for Children’s Rights to deliver five outdoor libraries in local elementary schools in Halkidiki. The educational activities launched, give children the chance to read books themed on the protection of environment and sustainability.

To find out more about Sani Resort, please visit https://sani-resort.com/ and https://sani-resort.com/sustainability