The commitment of Forte Village Resort into environmental sustainability: an example of good practices and innovation

All the news and the actions taken by the Resort in Santa Margherita di Pula related to recycle, energy savings and the reduction of environmental impact to promote and safeguard the Earth and all its inhabitants.

In recent years, awareness of the human impact on the environment has massively grown. Climate change, the depletion of natural resources and the loss of biodiversity are no longer distant threats, but facts that require to take immediate action towards a new direction. Every industry plays a role, and tourism, one of the most influential ones, is no exception.

Hotels and resorts consume huge amounts of energy and water indeed, being responsible for a tangible impact on the balance of local natural ecosystems where they are hosted. The construction of new facilities can lead to deforestation and the loss of natural habitats, while the daily management of internal and external spaces, including activities such as rooms heating, cooling and lighting, or the use of catering, cleaning equipment, and management of swimming pools, can generate high emissions and pollution.

Among these, the much feared CO2, with emissions exceeding 200 kg per room each month, among the main causes of global warming, or harmful fine particles such as PM2.5 and PM10, as well as nitrogenoxides (NOx), which contribute to climate change and to the deterioration of air quality with the acidification of ecosystems. These air pollutants in fact alter natural cycles and compromise the health of organisms, both terrestrial and aquatic. In particular, the accumulation of NOx leads to the formation of tropospheric ozone, one of the main causes of smog and respiratory problems in urban areas.

Not to be underestimated the large amount of waste produced daily too, including plastic, paper and organic materials which, if not adequately recycled, often compromise the quality of air, soil and water resources. Sewage systems and waste disposal practices can damage local waterways and contribute to pollution and threatening biodiversity. Hence, the increasingly pressing need to adopt practices that can truly make a difference in the field of environmental sustainability.

At the same time, today traveling responsibly has become a popular value shared by so many people. Tourists feel more careful about their choices and reward facilities that prove a real commitment to protecting environment. For who operates in this industry, therefore environmental sustainability is an ethical issue turned also into an opportunity for growth and innovation. Investing in eco-friendly practices thus contributes to safeguarding nature, yet to standing out in the market by offering an authentic sustainable travel experience.

In this context, Forte Village Resort in Santa Margherita di Pula, less than forty-five minutes by car from Cagliari and near some of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia, represents a proud model of excellence and consistency. For years, this wonderful resort has been committed to adopting sustainable solutions to reduce its environmental impact (it also achieved for two years in a row, more precisely 2023 and 2024, a Green Resort certification from GSTC, Global Sustainable Tourism Council, an international standard which constitutes the foundation for the commitment to sustainable tourism), demonstrating how luxury and respect for natural ecosystems can coexist successfully and even improve each other.

Environmental sustainability: meanings and measures for tourism and hospitality industry

Environmental sustainability revolves around the ability to meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. This concept, introduced way back in 1987 with the Report “Our Common Future” by Brundtland Commission (officially “World Commission on Environment and Development”, or WCED, founded by the United Nations in 1983 for addressing growing concerns about global environmental issues and the sustainability of development) implies a balance of economic and technological developments, social well-being and environmental protection, in a shared effort to reduce the negative impact of human activities on Earth.

The Report itself has had a significant impact in promoting sustainability policies globally and inspired many international policies, such as Agenda 21 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), becoming over time a key principle in various industries, including factories and manufacturing, agriculture, and of course tourism, an industry representing a significant source of income and employment globally, which can exert considerable pressure on the environment through resource consumption and wastes and greenhouse gas emissions. So, the adoption of sustainable practices in the hospitality field contributes to environmental conservation and meets the expectations of an increasingly ecologically aware clientele.

But how can environmental sustainability be applied in a practical way in the tourism and hospitality industries?

Environmental sustainability in the hospitality industry: challenges and opportunities

Environmental sustainability has become a global priority, and the hospitality industry is no exception. Now that attention to natural resources and ecological impact is becoming increasingly crucial, tourism facilities must adapt to new standards of responsibility. Let’s see what sustainability actually means for hospitality:

• Energy efficiency:
  • Low-consumption lighting systems: opting for LED lights with automated systems, which automatically turn off when not in use, significantly reduces energy consumption and prevents wastes;
  • Renewable energy sources: installing solar panels, wind turbines or purchasing energy from renewable sources helps to limit dependence on fossil fuels, improving the overall energy efficiency;
  • Optimization of heating and cooling systems: using heat pumps, geothermal systems or natural air conditioning (like passive cooling) reduces energy consumption for heating and cooling large spaces.
• Water management:
  • Low-flow devices: low-flow faucets and showers (equipped with devices such as aerators) reduce water consumption without compromising the quality of the guest experience, maintaining good pressure and comfort during use;
  • Grey water recycling: sinks, showers and washing machines water can be treated and reused to irrigate gardens or other non-potable uses, contributing to water savings.
• Waste reduction:
  • Separate waste collection: implementing an efficient separate waste collection system helps differentiate recyclable materials (including organic waste) from those that are not, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill;
  • Adoption of reusable or biodegradable products: promoting the adoption of reusable bottles, biodegradable tableware and ecological materials reduces mono-use plastic;
  • Food waste reduction programs: monitoring the quantities of food prepared, donating excess food to local authorities, and adopting organic waste recycling practices reducesfood wastes and promote food and beverage sustainability.
• Sustainability in the supply chain:
  • Local and organic approach: encouraging the purchase of local and organic products reduces environmental impact of food transport and supports local economies, with a decrease of the facility’s carbon footprint;
  • Collaboration with sustainable suppliers: choosing suppliers adopting sustainable practices, like the use of recycled materials or the reduction of packaging, is key to further reduce overall environmental impact of the supply chain;
  • Reduction of the use of single-use materials: it is essential to eliminate or reduce single-use materials, such as plastic cutlery and plates, and go for reusable or organic solutions (such as steel tableware and glass cups).
• Awareness and training:
  • Staff education: training staff on green practices and sustainability improves operational efficiency and guests awareness of environmental issues;
  • Promotion of environmentally responsible behavior: inform guests witheducational materials, such as brochures or apps, encouraging them to reduce energy and water consumption and participate in green activities such as recycling or energy saving.

To ensure that sustainable practices are properly implemented and that environmental standards are respected, many facilities decide to achieve internationally acknowledged European green certifications. These attest to the commitment to environmental protection, and provide a competitive advantage, demonstrating customers a real desire to reduce the impact of tourism activities.

Environmental sustainability in tourism: main official European certifications

Here are a few main official European ecological certifications for the hospitality facilities:

European Ecolabel

European Ecolabel is the European Union’s ecological quality label certifying commitment of tourist facilities for sustainability, with particular attention to reducing environmental impact and improving ecological performance. The main criteria for achieving this certification include energy efficiency, with the adoption of low-consumption technologies and the use of renewable energy. Moreover, is required the optimized management of water resources and the adoption of measures aimed at reducing consumption and recycling grey water. Another important factor concerns waste management, which include separate collection and overall wastes reduction. Ecolabel eventually requires true efforts for biodiversity’s protection and conservation, as well as a full commitment to training staff to adequately prepare them to support sustainable practices.

Green Key

Green Key is an international certification that rewards tourist facilities committed to efficient environmental management policies, therefore that have adopted practices such as the use of energy-efficient technologies, including LED lighting and intelligent management of air conditioning systems, and low-flow devices to reduce water consumption. Another important aspect concerns sustainable supply, preferring ecological and local products, not only more sustainable but often of higher quality.

GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council)

GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) has developed a standard for the certification of responsible tourism. Tourist facilities that achieve this must comply with strict criteria that cover several aspects of sustainable tourism, including environmental conservation, local communities well-being through the promotion of ethical and inclusive practices, and the sustainable management of natural resources such as water, energy and waste. Another key aspect is transparency in the communication of environmental and social impacts, yet the education of guests on sustainability issues and the best practices to adopt to guarantee environmental protection.

Travelife

Travelife is a certification system that helps tourism companies to manage environmental, social and economic impacts responsibly. The tourist facilities that achieve this certification must demonstrate a real and measurable commitment to sustainability and environmental management, including measures to improve energy efficiency, reduce water consumption and properly manage waste, but also the promotion of fair working conditions and the well-being of local communities, through rightful social policies. Additional requirements include the purchase of products and services from suppliers that meet specific sustainability standards and the adoption of more recognized environmental and social certifications. Travelife requires also continuous monitoring of environmental impact and constant improvement of practices to promote sustainability and environmental protection.

Environmental sustainability: Forte Village Resort’s actions to safeguard the Earth

Always committed to the protection of environmental and social sustainability, Forte Village Resort in Santa Margherita di Pula, elected for the twenty-sixth time in a row as “best resort in the world” at the World Travel Awards held last December in Funchal, Madeira, over the last decades has undertaken many real actions to promote the protection of the land, the economy and the local culture by minimizing its impact on the Earth, generating tangible benefits equally for current and future generations.

It is no coincidence that Forte Village got the renowned “Green Resort” certification from GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) for two years in a row, precisely in 2023 and 2024, a recognition awarded to destinations and tourist facilities that respect environmental, social and economic sustainability criteria including the management of natural resources, the protection of cultural heritage, respect for local communities and practical actions towards reducing environmental impact. Furthermore, the elegant Villa del Parco & SPA, Ville and Waterfront have been included in the Sustainability Leader by The Leading Hotels of the World network, a prestigious collection of only 50 Leading Hotels around the world which meet the highest standards of cultural, social and environmental sustainability.

Worthy of mention, the participation of Forte Village’s CEO Lorenzo Giannuzzi at the third Annual Meeting of the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network, held at the United Nations headquarters in New York last June 3. An event co-organized by the United Nations Office for Partnerships and the Fashion Impact Fund, with the participation of more than 300 members of the advisory board, registered partnerships, industry stakeholders, leaders, media representatives and UN officials, configuring itself as a crucial platform for promoting sustainable and inclusive practices and fostering long-lasting partnerships in fashion, lifestyle and, indeed, sustainable tourism industries.

Among the initiatives that allowed Forte Village to achieve these recognitions, many actions stand out in several areas of environmental sustainability, including:

Recycling and waste reduction

The Resort committed to constantly reducing the amount of wastes, implementing a series of measures for sustainability. Firstly, it ensures that all waste is properly separated and recycled in all departments. Strict regulations are applied for special waste, for their proper disposal, in order to comply with environmental laws. Furthermore, it favors the use of recycled and organic materials, like glass bottles, biodegradable straws and FSC certified paper, ensuring responsible sourcing from sustainably managed forests, both from an environmental and socioeconomic point of view. Organic waste is then sent to external composting plants, to be transformed into natural fertilizer. However, the ongoing aim is to develop an internal food waste collection system, which allows it to be transformed directly into compost for resort’s garden, thus taking a further step towards a totally circular and sustainable life cycle;

Recovery of “grey water”

Every day, approximately 800 cubic meters of “grey water” (water from sinks, showers, bathtubs and washing machines, which do not contain harmful substances like the one coming from toilets) are completely purified to be reused to irrigate 50 hectares of gardens and land within the Resort. In just three days, the volume of water saved is equal to that needed to fill a 54 square meters swimming pool. In addition, Forte Village boasts an impressive dam for collecting rainwater, with a total capacity of 353,242 cubic meters, equivalent of 141 swimming pools. An initiative that significantly contributes to reduce the consumption of water and promote a responsible and sustainable use of this precious resource;

Energy saving

Forte Village Resort adopts several measures to increase its energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of its activities. The congress center, with its 800 square meters, is powered entirely by a photovoltaic system that, since October 2022, has produced 23 Mw/h of renewable energy. The same applies to the production of hot water in Borgo, Palme and Bouganville hotels, made possible by solar panels installed on the roofs of the facilities. The resort also uses a LED lighting system with timers for green areas, internal and public spaces. Furthermore, the circulation of cars within the resort is prohibited, promoting the use of bicycles and electric cars instead (several charging stations have been placed in the parking lots). Finally, to optimize the use of water and detergents, the resort adopts a policy of changing linen upon guests request. Bed linen and towels are changed if expressly requested, avoiding unnecessary washing and contributing to a significant saving of natural resources;

Sourcing of raw materials

Forte Village Resort pays great attention to the quality and sustainability of its food offering, adopting a responsible approach to the sourcing of raw materials. The choice of ingredients is based on criteria of freshness, quality and environmental respect, favoring local farms and fisheries. This philosophy guarantees dishes with authentic and genuine flavors, supporting local communities and contributing to the development of local economy by reducing the environmental impact related to goods transport. In addition to collaborating with selected local producers, the resort boasts its own vegetable garden, cultivated with natural and sustainable methods, which offers guests a constant supply of zero-kilometer fruit, vegetables and aromatic herbs. This makes possible to serve fresh and seasonal food, enhancing the stunning flavors and aromas of Mediterranean cuisine and minimizing the use of industrial products.

Promoting biodiversity

A key aspect of Forte Village Resort’s commitment is protecting surrounding environment. Nestled in a 50-hectares park of lush nature, it is home to a variety of plant species and adopts an organic system for controlling parasites and diseases in its green spaces. The resort even ensures the well-being of non-native fauna with the assistance of a specialized veterinarian. Forte Village stands out for its educational initiatives too, such as the Kids Club programs that take place in the well-equipped Children’s Wonderland area, including the educational garden for children to teach to the youngest the importance of sustainable environmental practices. Furthermore, it has collaborated with the local DMC FA Travel to carry out a reforestation project with the planting of carobs, olives and wild pear trees in the green areas around the resort.

Safeguarding coastlines

Forte Village is actively involved in the safeguard of coastlines in front of its facilities through targeted and reversible protection interventions, aimed at minimizing the effects of coastal erosion, which represents an increasingly serious threat to the balance of seaside areas. Among the actions undertaken, the construction of a system of artificial islands, made with a combined and innovative mix of natural and eco-friendly materials, which have the function of protecting the stretch of beach, shaping at the same time an ecosystem that promotes marine biodiversity and respects the surrounding natural landscape.

Preserving seaside ecosystems

Last but not least, the Resort actively participates in the initiative Fishing For Litter, a project born from the collaboration with Ogyre, Italian startup committed to protection of marine ecosystems, with the aim of contributing to the safeguard of the Sardinian sea, among the most pristine in Italy, involving local fishing communities in the recovery of waste trapped in nets during fishing activity. The ambitious goal is to collect, by the end of 2025, 4 million kg of waste, reducing the damage of pollution and promoting a healthier marine environment.

All these initiatives demonstrate Forte Village’s concrete commitment to an increasingly sustainable hospitality model, based on energy efficiency, responsible management of resources and protection of the local ecosystem.

For further information on the projects and actions undertaken by Forte Village Resort to promote environmental sustainability, or for requesting reservations, please call to +390709218818 or write to holiday@fortevillage.com.

Do you want to experience a holiday dedicated to sustainability and respect for the environment in a true natural paradise? Discover Forte Village Resort in Sardinia