Cardamom Tented Camp in Cambodia has won the 2022 Resort Financial commitment Meeting Asia Pacific (HICAP) Sustainable Lodge Award for Weather Motion.
In addition to climate action, there ended up awards for constructing preservation/adaptive reuse, optimistic neighborhood impression, and sustainable structure. Submissions have been assessed by seven judges, the vast majority from institutional sustainability backgrounds. The BHN Team, the organiser of the HICAP function, announced the winners on 12 Oct 2022.
The judges based mostly the climate action determination on Cardamom Tented Camp’s potential to function with companions to protect 180 sq. kilometres of lowland rainforest in the Botum Sakor nationwide park in southwest Cambodia. On local climate action, it is estimated that the forest that the camp can help safeguard sequesters about 108,652 tons of carbon for every year, according to Wildlife Functions.
Due to the fact opening in 2017, the tented camp’s motto has been, “Your Continue to be Retains the Forest Standing.” It can make the declare mainly because income from the camp assist the month-to-month salaries of ten Wildlife Alliance forest rangers. The rangers protect the habitat from unlawful poachers, loggers, riverbank sand dredgers and land encroachers.
Populations of elephant, leopard, python, sunshine bear, otter, pangolin and other wildlife are bettering due to camp-funded ranger patrols. The rangers have compelled poachers to the perimeters or out of the park entirely.
“Despite setbacks through the two Covid years when tourism money significantly disappeared, Cardamom Tented Camp persevered in its environmental mission,” claimed Willem Niemeijer, CEO of camp operator YAANA Ventures. “We are grateful to HICAP for recognising our staying energy and potential to function with partners to maintain the forest standing, with all the positive aspects that deliver.”
HICAP judges also thought of the camp’s substantial contribution to UN Sustainable Enhancement Goals, these kinds of as life on land, clear and reasonably priced energy, good work, financial development, climate motion, and partnerships. Cardamom Tented Camp is a partnership with Slight Hotel Group’s sustainability arm, the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Basis, Wildlife Alliance, and YAANA Ventures.
Beyond sequestering an estimated 108,652 tons of CO2 per year, the judges also recognised Cardamom Tented Camp’s supplemental environmental attempts, together with currently being run by 100 percent onsite solar electricity for its electricity, lower-affect heating and cooking, and normal wastewater filtration procedures. The home recycles as considerably as feasible and works by using 100 percent natural and organic own care solutions. Long term strategies include things like:
- Powering its boat with an electric battery.
- Raising nearby and onsite food stuff sourcing.
- Enterprise group-primarily based conservation.
Apart from Cardamom Tented Camp’s environmental efforts, it also scores effectively on hospitality and all-spherical visitor encounter metrics. The camp’s visitor gratification amounts are rated 5 stars by TripAdvisor and have been so for 3 yrs.
In the aftermath of the pandemic, YAANA Ventures estimates Cardamom Tented Camp will close in 2022 with about 80 % of 2019’s occupancy and will return to lucrative concentrations in 2023. In parallel with this, YAANA Ventures will improve the forest rangers’ contributions.
