As a resort island, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) states that it is committed to driving sustainable development by working closely with its stakeholders to build a sustainable Sentosa community. The publication of SDC’s fifth Sustainability Report outlines its sustainability journey and provides insights into its management practices and performance regarding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) matters that are significant to SDC and its stakeholders.
The report’s theme this year is: “An Island of Good, A Beacon for Change,” which embodies Sentosa’s dual responsibility: to create meaningful, positive impact through its operations while inspiring broader transformation in the tourism industry.
Sentosa, a GSTC Certified Destination
SDC joined GSTC as a member in November 2021 and achieved the GSTC Certification in July 2022.
“As one of Asia’s leading leisure destinations and the first island destination in Asia to achieve the GSTC Certification, we recognise our unique opportunity to demonstrate how tourism can thrive while prioritising environmental stewardship and social responsibility.” Says Bob Tan Beng Hai, Chair of SDC in the report.
SDC remains committed to carbon-neutrality goals. With phase 1 of its solar panel installation now in full operation, the SDC Group has generated a 137% year-on-year increase in renewable energy. SDC’s recycling and composting efforts have continued to yield results, diverting 1,635 tonnes (48%) of waste from landfills.
“Our desire is that our journey towards carbon neutrality by 2030 and leadership in sustainable tourism will not only transform Sentosa, but also inspire a movement that extends far beyond our shores and advances Singapore’s national sustainability ambitions under the Singapore Green Plan.” States Thien Kwee Eng, SDC’s Chief Executive Officer.
As part of its goal to be a sustainable destination, being accessible to all guests, regardless of ability is key for Sentosa. Singapore’s first accessible beach tracks, covering 450 sqm, were installed on Siloso and Palawan beaches, welcoming all guests to enjoy the sand and sea, including wheelchair users and families with strollers.
Singapore’s Hotel Sustainability Roadmap
SDC is represented on the Hotel Sustainability Committee. With the primary objective of fostering the widespread adoption of sustainable practices within the hotel industry, the committee aims to position Singapore as a leading sustainable destination by endorsing the Hotel Sustainability Roadmap. This roadmap outlines specific targets and strategies for hotels to adopt sustainable practices, which include:
- By 2025, its goal is for 60% of hotel room stock to achieve hotel sustainability certification through a GSTC-accredited Certification Body.
- For hotels to reduce emissions by 2030, and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
The GSTC 2024 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference held in Sentosa gathered 500 delegates from 55 countries
Every year, the GSTC’s Global Sustainable Tourism Conference travels to a new destination, bringing the latest insights on sustainable tourism to stakeholders. Last year, in conjunction with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the GSTC Conference was held in Singapore. The conference and pre-conference training were held at the Equarius Hotel, which is certified against the GSTC Industry Standard for Hotels located within Resorts World Sentosa, certified against the GSTC Destination Standard. Additionally, both Sentosa and Singapore are certified as sustainable destinations, further enhancing the event’s setting credentials. Read the official of the event press release here. The recordings of the sessions are available on GSTC’s YouTube Channel here.
RISE Initiative
From March to December 2024, an interactive exhibition, ‘RISE: From Waves of Action to an Ocean of Change’, was displayed at Sentosa’s transport node at Beach Station, highlighting over 100 sustainability initiatives and offerings of the Sentosa Carbon Neutral Network (SCNN). The exhibition reached more than 1.2 million guests, with more than 3,600 guests making a pledge to commit to reducing their impact on the environment. Click here to find out more about the RISE Exhibition.
Alignment of ESG Topics with UN SDGs and the GSTC Destination Standard
On page 50 of its Sustainability Report, SDC presents a detailed alignment between its material ESG topics, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), and the GSTC Destination Standard. This section illustrates how each topic, ranging from energy, biodiversity, and waste management to heritage conservation and inclusive communities, among others, was mapped to relevant SDGs and the corresponding criterion of the GSTC Destination Standard, reflecting SDC’s integrated approach to sustainable destination management.
Through its sustainability report, available here, SDC aims to communicate its commitment to sustainability to its diverse stakeholders by detailing its policies and approaches.
Note: The term “GSTC Certification” is a shorthand for “Certified by a Certification Body that is GSTC-accredited.”
