The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands announces 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.
The resort 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.
Renato de Oliveira, the General Manager of 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.”
Environmental Consciousness and Sustainability
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands was 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.
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. The acres of white sand that stretch toward the lagoon serve as a sanctuary for crabs, birds, and sea turtles. The resort is encircled by a coral reef that shelters lobsters, fish, rays, and sea turtles. Over 105 coral frames have been planted since their coral regeneration project’s inception and 28 frames planted in 2024 alone. The initiative has created abundant nursery frames and new habitats for ocean life.
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.
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, our culinary and bar teams embrace a zero-waste approach, creating chutneys and coffee scrubs, along with various other initiatives to minimize waste. Still and sparkling water is purified at the resort’s dedicated plant, eliminating the need for plastic bottles. Greywater is treated and reused for landscaping. The resort has also 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
The resort has implemented an advanced ocean plastics monitoring program using drones, developed in partnership with Dr. Melissa Schiele. In 2024, the program 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. Removing the nets prevents the incidents and protects the ocean ecosystem.
Jean-Michel Cousteau Ambassadors of the Environment 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 staff alike, reinforcing the importance of environmental stewardship.
Saad Amer, recognized as a Climate Activist and a member of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for social impact, visited the resort 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 younger guests, inspiring them to become “Climate Kids” and fostering a sense of environmental stewardship from an early age.
The resort also 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 resort for a special lunch with their Naturalist. During the experience, they learned about coral restoration efforts.
Showcasing a commitment to sustainable living, The Ritz-Carlton Spa features an organic body and skincare collection by Bamford. This year, the team at the spa transformed coffee grounds into sustainable body scrubs for in-house guests, highlighting their ongoing dedication to environmentally friendly practices and wellness initiatives.
As part of their ongoing commitment to sustainability, the resort will soon launch a Coral Adoption Project, enabling guests to contribute to initiatives aligned with their Community Footprints philosophy. Additionally, the resort introduced 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.