Luxury Mediterranean resort group Sani/Ikos was the only hospitality group invited to present its work around the transition to sustainability during the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Interviews section of this year’s Climate Week NYC event, which ran until September 29 at the UN in New York.
A member of the UN Global Compact, Sani/Ikos Group consistently promotes sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean, through innovative environmental programmes and initiatives to support society and the economy, in line with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The UN General Assembly, which frames Climate Week NYC, is one of the largest and most significant global forums for promoting sustainability and climate action. This year’s event included over 600 meetings and activities across the city, bringing together prominent international figures from business, government, civil society, and the scientific sector.
Through its Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility Director, Eleni Andreadis, Sani/Ikos Group took part in a series of interviews conducted by the United Nations. These interviews feature diplomats, policymakers, heads of international organisations, and corporate leaders pioneering sustainability efforts, with the goal of sharing best practices across industries and fostering international collaboration.
“At the heart of our company since its inception, sustainability has shaped our bold aspirations for luxury hospitality, evolving alongside our business and the urgent global challenges we face,” said Eleni Andreadis, during her interview. “We are committed to achieving net zero emissions, ensuring zero waste reaches our landfills, as well as protecting biodiversity through robust partnerships with NGOs and scientific institutions, to name a few of our key initiatives.”
Sani/Ikos Group’s ESG strategy is centred on three key pillars: sustainable hotel operations that strive towards decarbonisation, resource preservation and a circular economy model; local biodiversity protection; and local community and vulnerable groups’ support, as well as growth and equal opportunities for all employees.
By 2030, the group aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions – 20 years ahead of today’s EU target- through investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, electrification of facilities and fleet, as well as carbon absorption and offsets. Sani Resort and Ikos Resorts are already carbon neutral, sourcing 100% renewable electricity, with certifications such as LEED and BREEAM being achieved for new and renovated properties, while all resorts are on track to fully eliminate single-use plastic by the end of 2024.
The group’s environmental strategy also includes AI-enabled solutions to reduce food waste, composting of organic and garden waste, wastewater treatment plants to recycle all water for irrigation, and recycling of more than 20 streams – among other initiatives.
